The Carolina Panthers' were able to win Sunday's Week 13 contest against the Los Angeles Rams thanks to the efforts of wide receiver Jalen Coker.
The Carolina Panthers, in a must-win battle in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams, were able to pull away with the victory on Sunday, 31-28.
Carolina’s high-flying offense this week was led by quarterback Bryce Young, who finished the contest completing 15 of his 20 pass attempts for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
Young’s outstanding performance also included a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, which ended with a 43-yard touchdown pass to rookie Tetairoa McMillan to give the Panthers the lead late in the game.
To the surprise of many, the organization’s first-round pick did not lead the team in receiving yards on Sunday, which is rare for the young playmaker who has become Young’s top pass catcher. Instead, it was a familiar face that was the main focus of the passing attack.
Second-year wide receiver and former 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker had an electric performance in Week 13, as he tallied four catches for 74 yards on six targets.
In addition to the strong play from the young receiver, Coker kicked off the third quarter with a huge 33-yard touchdown reception to cut the Panthers’ lead to three points.
Coker, after signing with Carolina after the 2024 NFL Draft, has quickly become a key piece of the offense since joining the squad. In his first season, Coker finished with 32 catches for 478 receiving yards and two touchdowns. This was a surprise to many, as the 24-year-old was 19 yards away from tying fellow rookie Xavier Legette in receiving yards.
This year, however, was a different story for Coker.
Prior to the beginning of the 2025 NFL season, Coker was placed on the injury reserve due to a quadacept injury. This caused him to miss the first six games of the new season, and Coker would eventually make his return to the field against the New York Jets in Week Seven.
While McMillan has emerged as the team’s clear-cut No. 1 receiver, Coker continues to be a reliable No. 2 receiver from the slot. This season, the talented playmaker has recorded 18 catches for 224 yards, with his first touchdown of the year occurring on Sunday afternoon.