Whew! Take a sigh of relief Rams family. The Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers opened up the 2025-2026 Wild Card playoffs and the first game of wild card weekend did not disappoint. The Rams (-10.5 favorites) defeated the Panthers 34-31 with a game winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining to move onto the divisional round next week. The Rams jumped out to a commanding lead (14-0) but the Panthers outscored them 31-13 the rest of the way until there was 2:30 remaining in the game. Here are the game’s top plays that led to a Los Angeles win…
1. Cobie Durant picks off Bryce Young, (Rams 7 – Panthers 0), 1:24 left in 1st Quarter
On the Panthers third possession of the game, Bryce Young threw behind his intended target and the pass was deflected by Quentin Lake and fell into the hands of Cobie Durant who returned it 11 yards. The Rams would turn the turnover into 7 points via a five yard touchdown run by Puka Nacua, his second of the game.
2. Stafford’s no look throw to Davante Adams for 23 yards (Rams 20 – Panthers 24), 13:57 left in the 4th Quarter
The next play of the game didn’t occur until the 4th quarter. The Rams had struggled to gain rhythm with their offense after Stafford got his finger jammed at the end of the 2nd quarter. But early in the 4th quarter, Stafford went back to work, continuing to showcase why he is MVP with throws like this.
3. Puka Nacua makes defensive play to prevent Nick Scott interception, (Rams 20 – Panthers 24), 11:58 left in 4th Quarter
The Rams were down 4 in the 4th quarter with the ball but almost gave away on an errant Stafford throw. Fortunately, Nacua did not give up on the play and knocked the ball away from Nick Scott to prevent the defensive back from tallying an interception.
4. Stafford throws 2nd TD to Kyren Williams, (Rams 27 – Panthers 24), 8:47 left in 4th Quarter
Shortly after the Puka Nacua pass break up, the Rams kept the drive alive with key conversions. The offense completed the drive with a Stafford no look pass to Kyren Williams; threading the ball through two defenders and his offensive lineman’s shoulder.
5. Stafford throws a dime to Colby Parkinson for GW touchdown, (Rams 34 – Panthers 31), 0:38 left in 4th Quarter
The play of the game. The catch probability according to sources was less than 30%. With just :38 left in the game, Stafford’s dart to Parkinson put the Rams ahead for good and pushed them to the divisional round.
What other top plays helped the Rams secure a wild card win? Do you agree that Stafford’s best throw of the day was to Parkinson? Comment in the chat below.
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