Rams escape upset-minded Panthers, score late TD to survive and advance to divisional round

The Panthers were 10.5 underdogs but nearly pulled off a massive upset before Matthew Stafford saved the day

In an absolutely bonkers opening game of Wild Card Weekend, the heavily favored Los Angeles Rams survived a scare, walking into Charlotte and defeating the Carolina Panthers 34-31.

The Rams led almost the entire game but trailed 31-27 late in the fourth quarter before possible NFL MVP Matthew Stafford led a seven-play, 71-yard touchdown drive that concluded with a 19-yard scoring strike to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds remaining. Stafford completed 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on the evening.

The Rams overcame the aforementioned interception, plus a blocked punt (their latest special teams miscue), a dropped potential touchdown pass by Puka Nacua (who did finish with 10 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown, plus a rushing score) and nine penalties to come away with the road victory. They did so thanks to forcing a few turnovers of their own, as well as a pair of clutch drives from Stafford to bring them back from fourth-quarter deficits. 

The road to get there was a wild one, filled with twists and turns nearly every step of the way.

On the opening drive of the game, the Panthers faced a fourth-and-1 from their own 45-yard line. They went for it, but Bryce Young's pass was batted down by Kamren Kinchens for a turnover on downs. The Rams then made quick work of their opening drive, which ended with Nacua finding the end zone on a vertical route out of the backfield.

Later in the first quarter, Young threw over the middle for Jalen Coker, but there was a miscommunication between the two. Coker stopped on the route while Young thought he would continue, and the pass was tipped into the air and intercepted by Cobie Durant. The Rams again drove right down the field for a Nacua touchdown, which came on a bubble screen that was ruled a rushing attempt because the pass was thrown backward. 

With the Rams leading by 10 points late in the first half, the Panthers forced a punt and thought they would be getting the ball back, but Trevor Etienne allowed the kick to bang off his face mask and Troy Reeder recovered it. Los Angeles drove deep into Carolina territory again, but failed on fourth-and-3, robbing the Rams of another scoring opportunity and creating one for the Panthers.

After a pass interference penalty on Quentin Lake, Young hit Coker for a big gain to get deep into Rams territory. After throwing incomplete on both first and second down, Young scrambled up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown to pull the Panthers within three in a game where the Rams had seemingly been dominating for the entire first half.

The third quarter saw the two teams trade field goals so that the Rams were leading 20-17 late in the period. The Panthers had another chance to convert a fourth down near midfield, but Young was again flushed from the pocket and forced to throw late and his pass again fell incomplete. That gave the Rams a chance to extend their lead back to two scores, but Stafford was intercepted by Mike Jackson -- who played the game of his life -- on a pass intended for Davante Adams.

Young then led a quick, four-play, 62-yard touchdown drive that ended with Chuba Hubbard's second rushing touchdown of the game, giving the Panthers the first lead of the night at 24-20. That drive was spurred in part by a 52-yard catch-and-run by Coker, who finished the game with nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown (more on that in a second).

Not to be outdone, the Rams struck right back with a touchdown drive of their own. They converted a fourth-and-1 from just outside the red zone with a run by Kyren Williams, who would later end the drive with a touchdown catch on an angle route out of the backfield.

After the Panthers went three-and-out, the Rams had a chance to run the clock and possibly extend their lead, only for disaster to strike instead. L.A. 's drive was set back by a holding penalty and the Rams were forced to punt, but Ethan Evans' kick was blocked by Isaiah Simmons, setting the Panthers up with the ball just outside the Rams' 30-yard line with a chance to drive and tie the game or take the lead.

And take the lead they did, thanks to an efficient drive from Young, who lofted a perfect pass over the top of safety Kamren Curl that dropped into the arms of Coker to stake the Panthers to a 31-27 lead. Unfortunately for the Panthers, that was all just prelude to Stafford's late-game heroics. The Rams made quick work of their ensuing drive, marching down the field and finding the end zone on the aforementioned pass from Stafford to Parkinson, who made a twisting grab in the air and then stretched out for the end zone to cross the pylon.

Crazy fourth quarter

According to CBS Sports research, this game tied the all-time playoff record for most go-ahead touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, with the lead changing hands via touchdown four times in the final 15 minutes. Those four lead-changing scores marked the most of all time in the fourth quarter of a playoff game as well. 

Stafford became the fifth quarterback ever with two go-ahead passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, and the first to do it in a win since Eli Manning against the 2007 New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Coming into the game, Stafford had just one career go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a playoff game -- his game-winning touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp in Super Bowl LVI.

Puka Nacua's monster game

Nacua got off to a hot start with three catches and a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, and he didn't stop there. He finished the evening with 10 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, plus three rushing attempts for 14 yards and a touchdown. (The rushing score came on a bubble screen that was ruled a backwards pass.)

Nacua could have had an even bigger day, but he dropped what would have been a wide-open touchdown pass shortly before halftime. Had he caught that ball and taken it into the end zone, it's highly likely that we wouldn't have gotten the kind of back-and-forth fourth quarter we were treated to, though, so it was probably a win for football fans that he didn't haul it in. And luckily for him, his teammates picked him up and helped the Rams come away with a win anyway.

Young and Coker connection

Young acquitted himself fairly well in his first career playoff game. He went 21 of 40 for 264 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and he also ran three times for 24 yards and a score. He was under constant pressure throughout the game, but still made quite a few really nice throws -- including and especially the ultimately-futile go-ahead touchdown toss to Coker toward the end of the game.

Coker repeatedly burned the Rams in coverage, catching nine passes for 134 yards and that score. His 52-yard catch-and-run late in the third quarter also set up Hubbard's second touchdown of the game.

If it wasn't for Stafford's heroics, this connection would be the story of the game.

What's next?

With the win, the Rams advance to the divisional round, where they await their next opponent. Depending on what happens in the 49ers-Eagles playoff game on Sunday, they could face either the Seahawks or Bears. 

With Chicago's victory over Green Bay, the Rams will play the Seahawks if the Eagles win and the Bears in the event of a 49ers win. 

The Panthers, of course, are eliminated from the playoffs despite their efforts, and will make the No. 19 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:58 pm ET · Kyle Stackpole]

From our CBS Sports research department:

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:50 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

What a game. The Rams were at one point up 14-0, but they trailed two different times in the fourth quarter before Matthew Stafford led a game-winning touchdown drive.

The possible NFL MVP went 24 of 32 passing for 304 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, including 6 of 7 for 71 yards and a score on the game-winning drive. The Rams overcome a Stafford interception, a blocked punt, a dropped touchdown from Puka Nacua and nine penalties to come away with the win.

The Rams advance to the divisional round, where their opponent is to be determined.

• If the Bears and Eagles win, the Rams will travel to face the No. 1 seed Seahawks. 
• If the Bears win and the Eagles lose, the Rams will travel to Chicago.
• If the Bears lose and the Eagles win, the Rams will travel to Philadelphia.
• If the Bears and Eagles lose, the Rams will host San Francisco. 
  

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:48 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

After three straight incomplete passes that didn't have much of a chance, Bryce Young tossed a perfect pass to Jimmy Horn Jr. on fourth-and-10 that would've given the Panthers a chance for a Hail Mary attempt, but Horn dropped it. The Rams will survive and advance to the divisional round.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:43 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

38 seconds left: Rams 34, Panthers 31

What a monster, brutally efficient drive from the Rams to retake the lead: Seven plays, 71 yards -- and it ends with this 19-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Colby Parkinson. Great twisting catch and then the stretch for the end zone. 

Stafford went 6 of 7 for 71 yards on the drive. Rams lead 34-31 with 38 seconds left in the game.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:34 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Late 4Q: Panthers 31, Rams 27

PERFECT pass over the top by Bryce Young to Coker, who is having the game of his life with nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. 

You can't do it any better than this, with the throw right over the top of Kam Curl for the touchdown. Panthers lead 31-27 with 2:39 remaining.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:30 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Late 4Q: Rams 27, Panthers 24

MASSIVE swing in this game. Isaiah Simmons came around the edge of the formation and blocked Ethan Evans' punt, giving the Panthers the ball just outside the Rams' 30-yard line.

They have a chance to tie the game or take the lead with less than five minutes remaining. The Rams' special teams woes continue.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:23 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Mid 4Q: Rams 27, Panthers 24

Not a good drive for Carolina. A false-start penalty set the Panthers back on first down, and they were unable to get anything going after that. Bryce Young's deep ball intended for Jalen Coker on third down sailed just a little bit and would have taken Coker out of bounds if he'd been able to haul it in. (It was a good play by Cobie Durant as well.) 

The Rams have a chance to milk some clock and add to their lead midway through the fourth quarter.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:18 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Mid 4Q: Rams 27, Panthers 24

Fantastic drive for the Rams, which ends with Williams catching a pass out of the backfield on an angle route to get into the end zone and give L.A. the lead back at 27-24.

The drive included a fourth-down conversion by Williams, which set up his touchdown catch. He has 13 carries for 57 yards and two grabs for 18 yards and a score.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:06 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Early 4Q: Panthers 24, Rams 20

Carolina now has its first lead of the ballgame, having come all the way back from down 14-0 to go up 24-20. After the 52-yard pass to Coker, there was a personal foul penalty on linebacker Nate Landman that set the Panthers up with first-and-goal inside the 5-yard line. On the next play, Hubbard punched the ball into the end zone. What a turnaround.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 7:02 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

End 3Q: Rams 20, Panthers 17 

In-breaking route to Coker goes for 52 yards and gets the Panthers deep into the red zone as they look to tie the game or take the lead. Huge opportunity for Carolina here as we head into the fourth quarter.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:59 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Late 3Q: Rams 20, Panthers 17

GREAT play by Mike Jackson going up in the air and coming down with the ball on a pass intended for Davante Adams. Stafford didn't get the ball high and outside enough to get it to Adams on the out route, allowing Jackson to cut underneath.

Remember, Jackson had a pick-six on Stafford in the regular-season matchup between these two teams. Stafford is now 2-for-12 for 24 yards since the hit to his finger in the first half.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:54 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

For the second time in this game, the Panthers went for it on fourth down near midfield and failed. Just like last time, Bryce Young had to roll out to his right when he couldn't find an open receiver. This time, he was forced to throw it away to nobody in particular.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:52 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Forbes just jogged off the field with an apparent injury. Not sure what the issue is but he appeared to be in some pain.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:47 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

L.A. is back in top after a 42-yard kick by Harrison Mevis. The field-goal drive was aided by a personal foul penalty on an incomplete third-down pass intended for Davante Adams. It's now 20-17 late in the third quarter.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:38 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Matthew Stafford started this game 8-8 and he is now 10-21. He's sailing some passes over receivers' heads now. It's worth noting that he banged his hand on DJ Wonnum's arm toward the end of the first half and seemed banged up.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:33 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

13-play, 59-yard drive concludes with a Ryan Fitzgerald field goal to tie the game. Great comeback by the Panthers, who were at one point down 14-0. It's now 17-17 midway through the third quarter.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:23 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

GREAT pass breakups by Mike Jackson and then Jaycee Horn on first and second down -- each on throws intended for Davante Adams -- forced the Rams into third-and-10, and Stafford threw wide of Adams again on third down. Panthers have a chance to tie the game or take the lead early in the third quarter.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:05 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Oh man... Puka was WIDE open on a double move against Jaycee Horn and had a free walk-in touchdown but he just straight up dropped the ball. Huge missed opportunity for the Rams to extend their lead.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 6:00 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

HUGE drive for Bryce. After a pass interference penalty on Quentin Lake, Young hit Jalen Coker for a big gain to get deep into Rams territory. After throwing incomplete on both first and second down, Young scrambled up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown to pull the Rams within three points at 17-14.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:55 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

It looked like Matthew Stafford might have been able to scramble for a first down on fourth-and-3, but instead of tried to squeeze in a pass to Tyler Higbee and it fell incomplete. Huge stop for the Carolina defense.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:46 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Disaster just struck for the Panthers. The defense got a much-needed stop when Davante Adams was open on a double move up the right sideline but Stafford overshot the throw, forcing the Rams to punt... but Trevor Etienne let the punt go off his face mask and the Rams recovered in Panthers territory.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:39 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Chuba Hubbard had an easy conversion available to him but dropped the pass on third-and-2. Rams have a chance to extend their lead to three scores before also getting the ball coming out of halftime. Panthers got a good punt down to the L.A. 11-yard line, though.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:34 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

L.A. got to just outside the red zone and faced third-and-3, where Matthew Stafford threw his first incomplete pass of the game as Davante Adams came down with the ball out of bounds. Harrison Mevis knocked the ball through the uprights from 46 yards out for a 17-7 lead.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:24 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Really nice drive from the Panthers to bounce back from the Nacua score. It's 7 plays, 65 yards and Hubbard plows into the end zone from a yard out. Tetairoa McMillan had a pair of nice catches to get the Panthers into scoring range and then a pass inteference in the end zone got them down to the goal line for the Hubbard score. It's 14-7 Rams.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:16 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Rams efficiently marched down the field for their second scoring drive which, like the first one, ended with Nacua finding the end zone. This time it's a quick bubble screen from 5 yards out, which they're calling a rushing attempt because the pass went backwards. He already has 5 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, plus this rushing score, and there are still nearly three full quarters remaining in this game. The guy is ridiculous. It's 14-0 Rams.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:07 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Bryce pumped to his right and then stepped up to a throw over the middle but had some sort of miscommunication with Jalen Coker, who stopped on the route when Young seemed to think Coker would keep going. The ball got tipped into the air and then intercepted by Cobie Durant. Huge swing as the Panthers had moved into Rams territory for the first time.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 5:02 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Witherspoon jogged off the field after being looked at by trainers following the last play.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 4:55 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Per CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones:

[Jan 10, 2026 at 4:55 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Rams got rolling quickly on their latest drive with yet another pass to Puka Nacua but then got stuffed on third-and-1 from their own 31-yard line and kicked the ball back to Carolina. The Panthers now have another chance to cut into L.A.'s 7-0 lead.

[Jan 10, 2026 at 4:50 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Carolina quickly punted the ball back to the Rams. Bryce Young had Tetairoa McMillan open over the top on third down against what looked like Cover-2 but wasn't able to get the ball up and down, overthrowing McMillan out of bounds. It was a good punt and the Panthers dropped the return man just outside the 5-yard line.