Rams stave off Panthers in wild-card thriller to advance

Charlotte, NC – The Los Angeles Rams Advance to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year by defeating carolina panthers 34-31 On Saturday.

It looked like the Rams were going to run away from the Panthers by taking a 14-0 lead early, but the Panthers came back strongly to make the score 17-14 at the half. Carolina tied the score in the third quarter and took the lead in the fourth, but Los Angeles came out on top after the lead changed hands four times in the fourth quarter.

This game was a rematch of the Rams 31-28 Loss to Panthers in Week 13. In the week before the wild-card game, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford When asked what he would like to do different when facing Carolina for the second time this season.

“I wouldn’t put it on their team,” Stafford said of his three turnovers in Week 13. “When you think about it I think that was the story of the game.”

Stafford threw one interception in the third quarter, but unlike the first matchup, the Rams won the turnover battle against Carolina, forcing two in the first half. According to ESPN Research, this is the Rams’ 10th game with multiple takeaways this season, tied with jacksonville jaguars For most in the NFL.

What is meant by QB performance: The same day Stafford was named first-team All-Pro, he led the Rams to a fourth-quarter comeback victory. Stafford completed 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. After the Rams scored the first 14 points of the game, the offense struggled to move the ball consistently, especially after Stafford injured a finger on his throwing hand late in the second quarter. But Stafford put the Rams on his back when it counted most. Stafford led the Rams on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, first taking the lead with 8:47 remaining and then taking the lead for good with 38 seconds remaining.

Most Amazing Performance: According to ESPN Research, the Rams were hit with nine penalties on Saturday, the most for the Rams in any game this season.

Viewing Trends: When special teams reared their ugly head again for the Rams ethan evans‘The punt was blocked at the end of the fourth quarter. Four plays later, the Panthers scored a touchdown to take the lead. While it didn’t hurt the Rams heading into Saturday’s game, the unit continues to be a problem for Los Angeles.

Statistics to know: receiver puka nakua Scored two touchdowns (one receiving, one rushing) on ​​Saturday, making him the second Rams player to score one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown in a playoff game, according to ESPN Research. Nacua joins Marshall Faulk, who did the same in the divisional round against the Vikings in 1999. Nakua finished with 10 Catch for 111 yards and a touchdown. — Sara Barshop

Next game: tbd

No pushing and shoving. no way.

Early on, the Panthers looked like a team coming off of consecutive losses in the playoffs, digging a 14-0 deficit and committing two turnovers in the first half.

quarterback again bryce young and 2024 unused receivers Jalen Coker Got hot, and the defense put pressure on Rams receivers Nacua and davante adamsThat gave Carolina a brief lead of 24-20 in the fourth quarter.

They led 31–27 with just under three minutes left after Young made a 7-yard touchdown throw to Coker.

In the end, Carolina did not have enough to earn its first playoff win since the 2015 team won the NFC Championship.

What is meant by QB performance: The young man must have arrived. He struggled a bit early but completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards and a rushing touchdown in addition to one pass. His late touchdown throw was huge for Coker, as he continued Fourth quarter heroics this season,

Statistics to know: The Panthers held Stafford to 1 of 9 on passes of 15 or more air yards through three quarters. He was 0-of-8 on shots to Necua and Adams during that stretch. Stafford completed 51% of his throws during the regular season, the eighth-highest percentage in the league.

Most Amazing Performance: Coker continues to erupt. Early in the fourth quarter, he had 125 receiving yards, the second-most by a Panthers receiver in his first career playoff game. Steve Smith Sr. scored 135 on his debut after the 2004 season. After scoring with 2:39 remaining, Coker finished one yard shy of Smith’s record with 134 yards, and caught 9 of 12 targets. –David Newton

Next game: Week 1, 2026