> At a Glance
> – Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard TD to Colby Parkinson with seconds left
> – Puka Nacua had 10 catches for 111 yards and a TD plus a rushing score
> – Jalen Coker erupted for 9-134-1 in a breakout playoff showing
> – Why it matters: The 12-5 Rams advance while 8-9 Carolina shows future promise
Matthew Stafford refused to let the Rams lose to an inexperienced playoff foe, engineering a last-minute drive to seal a 34-31 wild-card win over the Panthers.
Game of Swings
Los Angeles jumped ahead 14-0 and seemed headed for a rout until Bryce Young (21-40, 264 yd, TD, INT) rallied Carolina. A blocked punt gave the Panthers a late fourth-quarter lead before Stafford answered.
Young’s final four passes fell incomplete, ending Carolina’s hopes.
Standout Performers
Rams offense:
- Stafford: 24-42, 304 yd, 3 TD, INT
- Nacua: 10-111 receiving TD, 3-14 rushing TD
- Parkinson: game-winning 19-yard grab
Panthers bright spots:
- Coker: 9-134-1 on 12 targets
- Hubbard: 2 rushing TDs
- McMillan: 5-81 on seven targets
Key Takeaways
- Stafford delivered when it mattered most, proving his MVP candidacy
- Carolina’s young core, led by Coker, flashed playoff-ready talent
- The Rams’ Super Bowl push stays alive; the Panthers exit with optimism for 2026
Los Angeles now waits for its divisional-round opponent while Carolina heads home encouraged by the growth of its budding stars.
