> At a Glance
> – Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard TD to Colby Parkinson with seconds left
> – Puka Nacua posted 10-111-1 and saved an end-zone pick
> – Jalen Coker erupted for 9-134-1 in a breakout playoff debut
> – Why it matters: The 12-5 Rams advance while 8-9 Carolina shows flashes of a future contender
Matthew Stafford’s 19-yard strike to Colby Parkinson with 15 seconds left capped a wild 34-31 Rams win over the Panthers in Saturday’s NFC wild-card opener.
The Final Drive
Carolina had just taken its first lead on a blocked-punt score, 31-28, with 2:04 left. Stafford answered in four plays, hitting Parkinson in the right flat; the tight end tip-toed down the sideline for the deciding score.
Stafford finished 24-of-42 for 304 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT, never flinching after Carolina erased an early 14-0 hole.
Standout Performers
Puka Nacua dominated early and late:
- 10 catches, 18 targets, 111 yards, 1 TD
- 3 rushes, 14 yards, 1 TD
- Swatted a would-be end-zone interception to preserve a drive
Jalen Coker announced himself on the playoff stage:
- 9 receptions, 12 targets, 134 yards, 1 TD
- Regular-season totals: 33-394-3 in 2025
Bryce Young kept Panthers alive:
- 21-of-40, 264 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Four straight incompletions from the Rams’ 48 in the final 30 seconds ended hopes
By The Numbers
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 14 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 34 |
| Panthers | 0 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
Chuba Hubbard supplied two rushing scores; Rico Dowdle was limited to 9 yards on five carries.
Key Takeaways
- Stafford’s clutch gene lifts LA into divisional round
- Carolina’s losing-record season ends on respectable note
- Coker emerges as legitimate top-target candidate for 2026
- Rams’ Super Bowl hopes now rest on Stafford’s right arm
Los Angeles moves on to face the NFC’s No. 1 seed next weekend while Carolina exits with optimism around Bryce Young and a blossoming receiving corps.
