Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds remaining to lift the Los Angeles Rams to a dramatic 34-31 wild-card round victory over the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.
Stafford finished the game 24 of 42 for 304 yards with three touchdown passes, while Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 111 yards and two total touchdowns. The Rams, who were 10½-point favorites, improved to 13-5 and advanced to the divisional playoffs.
For the Panthers, Bryce Young threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score. Carolina finished the season with an 8-10 record after losing four of their final five games. Jalen Coker posted career highs with nine receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, and Chuba Hubbard ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns.
The Panthers fell behind 14-0 early in the game but rallied to take a 24-20 lead on Hubbard’s second touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Stafford, who was named an All-Pro earlier in the day, led the Rams down the field and connected with Kyren Williams for a 13-yard touchdown strike over the middle, giving Los Angeles a 27-24 lead.
After a key defensive stop, the Rams appeared to be in control, but a holding penalty set them back and forced a punt, which Carolina’s Isaiah Simmons blocked. This turnover set up the Panthers at the Rams’ 30-yard line. Four plays later, Young found Coker in the left corner of the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown, giving Carolina a 31-27 lead with 2:39 left — igniting the home crowd.
However, Stafford quickly led the Rams 71 yards in seven plays, capitalizing on Panthers two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn being sidelined with a concussion. Stafford’s perfectly placed pass to Parkinson near the right side of the goal line put the Rams ahead once more. Parkinson, who had two touchdowns the previous week, powered his way into the end zone for the game-winning score.
It was almost a second upset this season, as the Panthers had previously defeated the Rams 31-28 on November 30 as 10½-point underdogs.
Carolina’s final drive ended when Jimmy Horn dropped a crucial fourth-down pass from Young, dashing hopes of moving into field-goal range.
Before the game, former quarterback Cam Newton returned to Bank of America Stadium to perform the “Keep Pounding” drum ceremony, hoping to inspire the Panthers early. However, things did not start well for Carolina.
On Carolina’s opening drive, the Rams defense stopped a fourth down at midfield. Stafford then led a quick scoring drive, connecting with Nacua on a 14-yard touchdown pass over the middle to take a 7-0 lead. Nacua extended the lead to 14-0 on a 5-yard run following an interception thrown by Young.
The Panthers cut the lead to 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scrambling touchdown by Young, the second-longest rushing touchdown of his career.
The Rams had an opportunity to build their lead further, but Nacua dropped a potential third touchdown pass from Stafford down the right sideline just before halftime.
https://www.twincities.com/2026/01/10/nfc-playoffs-rams-overcome-panthers/