The Los Angeles Rams battled back against a tough Carolina Panthers team to advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Rams came into their matchup with the Carolina Panthers as a heavy favorite. However, the playoffs are always unpredictable.
Starting off, the Rams began the day stopping the Panthers after Dave Canales went for it on fourth down. After playing aggressive, the short field helped Los Angeles to a quick touchdown.
Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua on three passes that led to a fast 7-0 lead. After a pair of punts, the Rams would force a Bryce Young interception on a tipped pass from Quentin Lake that landed squarely in the hands of Cobie Turner.
Los Angeles would once again fire back instantly, as Kyren Williams rifled off multiple runs to help a designed run lead Puka Nacua to pick up one of his two touchdowns on the day.
Despite the fast 14-0 start, the Rams' offense began to struggle. Young and the Panthers' offense found their groove in the third quarter, as the secondary began to get carved up.
Chunk yardage to Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan led the first touchdown for the Panthers, as Chuba Hubbard was able to punch it in.
The Rams only managed a field goal the remainder of the second quarter, experiencing their own turnover on downs from the Panthers' defense.
Carolina would turn that into points, as Quentin Laker was called for a big defensive pass interference call. Young then hooked up with Coker on a huge 37-yard deep ball, and the quarterback would rush it in for 16 yards, putting the score at 17-14 heading into halftime.
Stafford was under duress from the tough Panthers defense, which led to him hitting his hand on a Carolina defender. Following the hit, the Rams' signal caller appeared to be off on his timing and throws.
Nacua and Adams dropped some big passes as well, leading to a tense third quarter. A pair of field goals from both teams led to a 20-17 score, but Stafford would throw a pick to Mike Jackson to end the third.
The Panthers took full advantage, as a 52-yard bomb to Coker led to a three-yard run from Hubbard. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers led for the first time on the day with a 24-20 score.
Stafford and company would instantly fire back on their next drive, moving the chains well and setting up a 13-yard catch and run for Williams. Los Angeles would lead 27-24 with 8:47 left in the fourth.
A pain point for the Rams would rear its ugly head once again, as bad special teams coverage saw the Panthers block a punt, setting up great field position for Carolina.
Once again, McMillan and Coker were the chief targets for Young, as the Panthers scored quickly to put the score at 31-27 with less than three minutes.
Stafford exercised his MVP status in the final hurry-up drive, hooking up with Adams and Nacua once again. Colby Parkinson finally got involved in a big way, snatching a 19-yard touchdown grab.
The Panthers were left with 38 seconds, and the Rams' defense tightened up in a big way. A turnover on downs signaled the end of the game.