Rams come from behind to defeat Panthers in exciting wild-card match

NFL Wild Card Round: Rams Edge Panthers in Thrilling Finish

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a nail-biting playoff opener on Saturday, Matthew Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams to a dramatic 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers. He tossed a game-winning 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with just 38 seconds remaining.

Stafford had a solid game, completing 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Puka Nacua stood out with 10 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Rams (13-5), who were favored by 10.5 points, move on to the district playoffs.

On the other side, Bryce Young managed 264 yards and a touchdown for Carolina (8-10), but the Panthers’ season came to a close after losing four of their last five games.

Jalen Coker also had a breakout performance, catching nine passes for 134 yards and one touchdown. Tuba Hubbard contributed by rushing for two touchdowns, totaling 46 yards.

The game had its ups and downs—Carolina found itself down 14-0 early in the fourth quarter but then surged ahead with Hubbard’s second touchdown to take a 24-20 lead.

Stafford, recognized as an All-Pro earlier that day, wasn’t about to go down easily. He quickly got the Rams back in front with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Williams, making it 27-24.

Despite looking in control, a holding penalty pushed the Rams back, leading to a punt. However, Isaiah Simmons’ block allowed the Panthers to close the gap significantly. Shortly after, Young connected with Coker for a 7-yard touchdown pass, putting Carolina ahead 31-27 with just 2:39 left on the clock, igniting the crowd.

But Stafford wasn’t going to let the Rams go down without a fight. He orchestrated a 71-yard drive in just seven plays, finishing with a perfectly placed pass to Parkinson, who fought his way into the end zone for the winning score.

In an ironic twist, this game was almost a replay of the Rams’ earlier loss to the Panthers, where they fell 31-28 back in November.

Carolina’s final chance ended in disappointment when Jimmy Horn dropped a crucial fourth down pass from Young while in field goal range.

Before the game, there was some excitement as former quarterback Cam Newton returned to Bank of America Stadium to beat the “Keep Pounding” drum, but the Panthers couldn’t capitalize early. After the Rams defense held strong on Carolina’s opening drive, Stafford quickly advanced the ball and hit Nacua for a 14-yard touchdown, putting the Rams ahead 7-0.

Nacua extended the lead to 14-0 after Young’s interception led to another touchdown run.

Carolina fought back, with Hubbard’s short run and Young’s impressive 16-yard scramble cutting the deficit to 17-14 by halftime.

There was a missed opportunity for the Rams to extend their lead right before halftime when Nacua dropped a pass that could’ve been a third touchdown.