In a heart-stopping finish to open the NFL postseason, quarterback Matthew Stafford delivered a clutch 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson with just 38 seconds remaining, propelling the Los Angeles Rams to a nail-biting 34-31 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Saturday's NFC wild-card matchup.
A Wild Fourth Quarter Sees Lead Change Hands
The game, played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, was a back-and-forth affair, especially in the final quarter. The Rams, who entered as 10.5-point favorites, saw a 27-24 lead vanish when Panthers quarterback Bryce Young connected with Jalen Coker for a 7-yard touchdown, giving Carolina a 31-27 advantage with only 2:39 left on the clock.
That score was set up by a blocked punt from Isaiah Simmons. However, Stafford, who was named an All-Pro earlier in the day, calmly engineered a 71-yard drive in seven plays for the game-winning score. The decisive throw to Parkinson came with Carolina's top cornerback, Jaycee Horn, sidelined due to a concussion.
Key Performances and Historical Milestone
Stafford finished the game 24 of 42 for 304 yards and three touchdown passes. His top target, Puka Nacua, had a monster performance with 10 receptions for 111 yards and two total touchdowns (one receiving, one rushing).
On the other side, Panthers' second-year QB Bryce Young threw for 264 yards and one touchdown while adding another score on a 16-yard scramble. Receiver Jalen Coker posted career highs with 9 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.
The victory was also historic for Stafford, as he surpassed Rams legend Kurt Warner for the most postseason passing yards and completions in franchise history.
Game Narrative: From Early Deficit to Late Drama
The Rams stormed out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Panthers clawed back. Chuba Hubbard's second rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter gave Carolina its first lead at 24-20.
Stafford answered with a 13-yard TD pass to Kyren Williams to retake the lead, setting the stage for the chaotic final minutes. Carolina's last-gasp effort to get into field goal range ended when a fourth-down pass from Young to Jimmy Horn fell incomplete.
The win avenges a 31-28 regular-season loss the Rams suffered to the Panthers on November 30, a game where Carolina was also a heavy underdog. With the victory, the Rams (13-5) advance to the NFC divisional playoff round, while the Panthers' season ends with an 8-10 record.
