On the day where he earned his first All-Pro honor, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford battled through injury and led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to secure a 34-31 victory over the host Carolina Panthers.
Stafford started the game hot before he appeared to hurt the index finger of his throwing hand in the second quarter. Carolina made the most of some Rams miscues in the first half to keep pace with the NFC West runners-up; Los Angeles held just a 17-14 lead at halftime.
The teams traded field goals in the third quarter and Stafford threw his lone interception of the game to close the frame.
Carolina capitalized to take a 24-20 lead with a Chuba Hubbard touchdown on a short field. Los Angeles took the lead minutes later with a touchdown from Stafford to Kyren Williams.
The Rams looked set for a three-and-out on their next drive but Carolina’s Isaiah Simmons blocked the punt and gave the ball back to Hubbard, Bryce Young and company on a short field one again. Young found Jalen Coker to go ahead 31-27 with less than three minutes to go in the game.
But Stafford came through on the ensuing drive with a signature seven-play, 71-yard drive culminating in a pass to Colby Parkinson that the tight end took past the goal line for the game-winning score.
Stafford finished the game 24-for-42 passing for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Los Angeles now awaits the results of Bears-Packers and Eagles-49ers to determine who they will play in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
Here’s how it all happened:
Rams vs. Panthers takeaways
- Rams survive un-special teams: Los Angeles’ five losses in 2025 were by a total of 17 points, a a pair of them featured mistakes on special teams: a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown against Philadelphia and a punt return touchdown allowed against Seattle. This time, the Rams pulled through despite a late blocked punt thanks to Stafford’s magic.
- Carolina and the Young guns: The 8-9 Panthers were double-digit underdogs at home. After the first quarter, things looked grim for Carolina. Bryce Young shook off an early interception and the Rams’ pass rush to put together one of the best performances of his career. Carolina can enter the offseason confident with how things went, even in a loss.
- LA reset: Stafford looked to have played through a finger injury. Depending on how things go for the rest of wild-card weekend, Los Angeles could be back in Seattle for a third matchup between the two teams. The Seahawks and their ferocious defense took the weekend off after getting the No. 1 seed. Stafford needs to rest that hand ahead of what could be a dogfight to reach the NFC champonship game.
Panthers-Rams score update: Colby Parkinson secures epic TD catch
Los Angeles needed just two minutes to drive 71 yards on seven plays. Matthew Stafford found tight end Colby Parkinson on the right sideline on first-and-10 from the Panthers’ 19-yard line and Parkinson made the twisting catch into the end zone. Harrison Mevis’ kick is good and the Rams take the lead again with 38 seconds left.
Rams 34, Panthers 31
Panthers-Rams score update: Jalen Coker puts Panthers ahead late
Carolina’s back on top after the blocked punt. Facing third-and-3 from the Rams’ 7-yard line, Bryce Young found Jalen Coker in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Ryan Fitzgerald knocked through the extra point to give the Panthers a critical four-point lead with 2:39 to go in the game.
Panthers 31, Rams 27
Panthers-Rams update: Isaiah Simmons makes huge play for Panthers
Carolina’s defense forced Los Angeles to punt late in the fourth quarter. But instead of getting the ball on their side of the 50, Panthers linebacker Isaiah Simmons blocked the punt to give the Panthers the ball at the Rams’ 30-yard line. They’re down three points with less than three minutes to go.
Panthers-Rams score update: Stafford finds Kyren Williams for score
Los Angeles answered the Panthers’ go-ahead touchdown with one of their own. Kyren Williams converted a critical fourth-and-1 in Carolina territory. Five plays later, he took a pass from Matthew Stafford in for a touchdown from 13 yards out. Harrison Mevis’ extra point is good and Los Angeles re-takes the lead with 8:47 to go in the fourth quarter.
Rams 27, Panthers 24
Panthers-Rams score update: Carolina takes lead
Carolina capitalized on Matthew Stafford’s interception and went 62 yards in just four plays to score the go-ahead touchdown. Chuba Hubbard notched his second touchdown of the game from three yards out and Ryan Fitzgerald’s extra point is good for the Panthers to take a four-point lead.
Panthers 24, Rams 20
Davante Adams clears concussion check
The Rams wide receiver took a massive helmet-to-helmet hit that left is tongue bloodied. He would undergo a concussion check and clear it, making his return to the field after.
Panthers-Rams score update: Rams pull ahead with field goal
Matthew Stafford couldn’t connect with Puka Nacua on third down from the Panthers’ 24-yard line. Rather than go for it, Los Angeles opted to take the go-ahead points. Harrison Mevis made a 42-yard field goal to put the Rams back ahead with just over four minutes to go in the third quarter.
Rams 20, Panthers 17
Panthers-Rams score update: Carolina ties it up in third
The Panthers’ offense put together the longest drive of the game by going 59 yards on 13 plays in more than seven minutes of game time. Carolina couldn’t convert on 3rd and 7 from the Rams’ 32-yard line so the Panthers settled for a game-tying field goal attempt. Ryan Fitzgerald knocked it through from 46 yards out to tie the game with 7:29 left in the third quarter.
Rams 17, Panthers 17
Who is the Panthers’ backup QB?
Bryce Young is playing well in his playoff debut today after an early interception. If he goes down, the Panthers have three-time Pro Bowler Andy Dalton to take over in a pinch.
Matthew Stafford stats today
The first-team All-Pro got off to a hot start to open the game before cooling off ahead of halftime. Here’s how things look at the break:
- Completions: 10
- Attempts: 17
- Yards: 137
- Yards per attempt: 8.1
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 0
- Rating: 104.3
Panthers-Rams score update: Bryce Young does it himself
Carolina forced another turnover on downs against the Los Angeles offense to get a chance to score before halftime. The Panthers’ offense did just that by driving 81 yards in just five plays. Young dropped back on third-and-10 from the Rams’ 16-yard line and got loose for a rushing touchdown. The extra point is good and the Panthers cut the deficit with less than a minute until halftime.
Rams 17, Panthers 14
Panthers-Rams update: Muffed punt gives Rams the ball back
Matthew Stafford missed Davante Adams on third down and the Rams settled for a punt. On the return, rookie running back Trevor Etienne fumbled the ball and Los Angeles takes over in Carolina territory with just under three minutes left in the first half.
Rams 17, Panthers 7
Who is the Thiccer Kicker?
Rams kicker Harrison Mevis – aptly nicknamed the ‘Thiccer Kicker’ for his stout, 6-foot, 245-pound frame – is in his first season of NFL action after spending time in the UFL in 2025. He spent time with the Panthers in 2024 during the offseason.
What happened to Isaiah Simmons?
The former first-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad in late November. He’d signed with the Cardinals after getting cut by the Green Bay Packers during training camp. Simmons was moved to the Panthers’ active roster after an injury to linebacker Trevin Wallace.
Panthers vs Rams score update: Harrison Mevis lengthens Rams lead
The ‘Thiccer Kicker’ notched a 46-yard field goal to put the Rams up by 10 points with the second quarter nearing five minutes remaining. The Panthers defense held on a short third down to force the kick.
Rams 17, Panthers 7
Panthers vs Rams score update: Chuba Hubbard finds end zone as Carolina answers
Carolina will not be shut out on home turf today. The Panthers’ offense took more than three minutes off the game clock with a 65-yard scoring drive powered by a crucial catch by Jalen Coker. Chuba Hubbard ran it in from one yard out. Ryan Fitzgerald knocked through the extra point to make it a seven-point game.
Rams 14, Panthers 7
Puka Nacua stats today
Nacua is putting on a show early vs. the Panthers: He has one touchdown across five catches and is credited with a carry and a touchdown. That’s good for 64 yards combined with two touchdowns.
Panthers vs Rams score update: Nacua finds end zone again
The Rams’ offense put together another scoring drive with a seven-play, 48-yard march to the end zone culminating in a five-yard score by Puka Nacua. Stafford threw a screen behind the line of scrimmage to Nacua and it’s counted as a 5-yard rush for the Rams’ star wideout. Harrison Mevis’ kick is good and the Rams have a two-score lead early in the second quarter.
Rams 14, Panthers 0
Ikem Ekwonu injury update: Panthers LT ruled out with knee injury
Bad news for the Panthers OL: Ekwonu, who went down midway through the first with a knee injury, has been ruled out for the game.
LA Rams record
The Rams finished the 2025 season with a 12-5 record, good for third place in the NFC West.
Ikem Ekwonu injury update: Panthers LT leaves game with apparent knee injury
The Carolina Panthers’ left tackle was flagged for a holding penalty on a second-down sack while trying to slow down Rams edge rusher Josaiah Stewart. Ekwonu went down on the play and immediately grabbed for his knee. Yosh Nijman is in the game in his place.
Panthers-Rams score update: Puka Nacua snags touchdown to open scoring
Los Angeles’ defense held strong on fourth down to force a turnover on downs. The Rams offense needed just four plays to score as Matthew Stafford found his top target, Puka Nacua, in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown. Harrison Mevis’ extra point is good and the Rams take an early lead on the road of the wild-card playoff opener.
Rams 7, Panthers 0
Panthers head coach
The Panthers head coach is Dave Canales, the former offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Canales is in his second season as head coach of the Panthers, and put together an overall record of 13-21.
What TV channel is the Panthers vs. Rams game?
- TV channel: Fox
Saturday’s wild-card round game – the first game of the NFL playoffs – between the Panthers and Rams will be broadcast by Fox on Jan. 10. Joe Davis (play-by-play), former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (game analyst) and Pam Oliver (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the postseason clash.
What time is the Rams at Panthers game?
- Start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Panthers vs. Rams game will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 10.
Panthers vs. Rams live stream
- Live stream: Fubo
Cord cutters can tune into the wild-card matchup with a subscription to Fubo, which also offers a free trial.
Watch NFL playoffs with Fubo (free trial)
Is Davante Adams playing today vs. Panthers?
Yes, Adams is officially active for Saturday’s game. He missed the final three games of the regular season after aggravating a hamstring injury in Week 15. The NFL’s leader in receiving touchdowns was a full participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, setting him up for a return to action in the wild-card game.
Rams inactives today vs. Panthers
The Rams have announced their seven inactives for Saturday’s game against the Panthers. They are as follows:
- QB Stetson Bennett IV (emergency QB)
- OL Kevin Dotson
- TE Terrance Ferguson
- CB Derion Kendrick
- CB Josh Wallace
- WR Jordan Whittington
- CB Darious Williams
Panthers inactives today vs. Rams
The Panthers have announced their five inactives for Saturday’s games. They are as follows:
- LB Krys Barnes
- DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
- WR David Moore
- DL LaBryan Ray
- C Nick Samac
Panthers vs. Rams weather updates
The Panthers have shared several videos of their players warming up at Bank of America Stadium ahead of Saturday’s game. The clips show it isn’t yet raining but the skies are gray and wind is whipping in Charlotte.
Conditions at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte were benign in the early afternoon. ESPN’s Sarah Barshop reported it was ‘a beautiful afternoon’ but noted there was rain coming around kickoff.
Queen City News’ chief meteorologist Tara Lane shared an update about the weather for Saturday’s game at 1 p.m. ET. She noted rain will be ‘heavy at times’ around kickoff and that there will be ‘possible lightning’ before and during the game.
Below is a look at the radar, courtesy of Lane:
Panthers vs. Rams predictions, picks
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Rams, 30-16
- Jarrett Bell: Rams, 31-17
- Nick Brinkerhoff: Rams, 28-20
- Chris Bumbaca: Rams, 28-21
- Nate Davis: Rams, 27-17
- Tyler Dragon: Rams, 27-20
Panthers vs. Rams odds, moneyline, O/U
- Against the spread (ATS): Rams -10.5 (-110) | Panthers +10.5 (-110)
- Moneyline (ML): Rams -625 (Bet $625 to win $100) | Panthers +450 (Bet $100 to win $450)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)