CHARLOTTE, N.C.– The heavily favored Los Angeles Rams survived a major scare on the road, barely beating the Carolina Panthers 34–31 in a thrilling Wild Card showdown on January, 10th exceeded the hype. What many expected to be a comfortable Los Angeles win turned into a back-and-forth playoff classic, decided only in the final minute by Matthew Stafford’s late-game heroics.
Stafford threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns, delivering his biggest strike with 38 seconds left, when he hit Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown after Carolina had just taken the lead. It capped a calm, surgical two-minute drill that featured clutch completions to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and it sent the Rams to the Divisional Round.
Nacua once again proved to be Stafford’s most trusted target, finishing with 10 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a rushing score. Adams chipped in 72 yards, and Kyren Williams helped seal the win with 57 rushing yards and a critical 13-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Carolina refused to go quietly. Bryce Young shook off early mistakes to engineer a resilient performance, throwing for 264 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score.
The Panthers leaned on explosive plays, led by Jalen Coker, who had a breakout night with nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown, including a pivotal 52-yard grab that helped swing momentum late.
Chuba Hubbard powered the ground game with two rushing touchdowns, and Carolina briefly stunned the crowd by taking a 31–27 lead with just over two minutes remaining after a blocked punt set up a short-field score.
In the end, turnovers and experience told the story. Stafford was intercepted once, but the Rams capitalized on key opportunities and answered every Carolina punch down the stretch. Young’s final drive ended under heavy pressure, with the Rams’ defense forcing a turnover on downs to seal it.
This instant classic was a ratings bonanza. 28 million people were glued to this thrilling matchup, Carolina was a 10.5 point underdog for some unknown reason, despite defeating the Rams earlier in the season.
The 34-31 shootout, with four leads changes in the fourth quarter alone, and the biggest audience for the Saturday afternoon wild-card game since Saints-Seahawks in January 2011.
Los Angeles advances after escaping one of the weekend’s most dramatic games, while the Panthers’ season ends with a performance that showed how close they are to becoming a true postseason threat.
Awaiting the Rams is former USC Heisman winner, Quarterback Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. Da Bears have home field advantage in this Divisional Playoff matchup.
Its the Rams going to frigid Soldier Field in a classic NFL Playoff game filled with history and tradition. At stake: a trip to the NFC Championship.
Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams NFC Divisional game is slated for Sunday, January 18th at 3:30 PM. It will air on NBC, and streaming on Peacock.