The Los Angeles Rams survived a rollercoaster wildcard clash to beat the Carolina Panthers 34-31 on Saturday, punching their ticket to the NFC Divisional Round for the second straight season.
What looked like a comfortable early lead nearly slipped away, but the Rams found a way to complete a dramatic comeback in front of an electric Bank of America Stadium crowd in Charlotte.
Steph Curry motivates Carolina Panthers in hype video
Los Angeles sprinted ahead to a 14-0 advantage in the opening quarter thanks to great execution on both sides of the ball. Early big plays from Puka Nacua helped the Rams establish momentum, and the defense applied pressure that disrupted Carolina’s first drives.
But the Panthers refused to fold, answering with a series of quick strikes and steadily chipping away at the Rams’ lead. By halftime, Carolina had narrowed the gap to 17-14, setting the stage for a tense second half.
Carolina’s resilience was rooted in a balanced offensive approach led by quarterback Bryce Young, who made key completions to keep drives alive. The Panthers’ running game also gained traction, allowing them to tie the game in the third quarter and briefly take the lead in the fourth.
The back-and-forth nature of the game resulted in four lead changes in the final quarter, keeping fans on edge until the very end.
Stafford’s late heroics seal the deal
Facing mounting pressure, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford orchestrated a clutch late drive that ultimately decided the game. With under a minute remaining, Stafford connected with tight end Colby Parkinson on a 19-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead at 34-31.
The Rams’ defense then stiffened, stopping Carolina on their final possession to secure the victory. It was a dramatic turnaround from the Week 13 matchup between the two teams, when Stafford struggled with three turnovers in a 31-28 loss.
Heading into the rematch, Stafford acknowledged that reducing mistakes would be key, famously saying, “I’d like to not throw it to their team.”
Although he threw an interception in this playoff game, Los Angeles’ defense forced multiple turnovers – two in the first half alone – helping the team gain a critical edge.
This was the Rams’ 10th game this season with multiple takeaways, tying them for the NFL lead and underscoring their opportunistic defensive identity.
The wildcard victory ensures that the Rams will advance to the Divisional Round, keeping their championship aspirations alive. Meanwhile, the Panthers leave the postseason with pride, having pushed a top-seeded team to the brink and demonstrated the potential of a young, resilient roster.