Final Score: Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31 Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026 Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC Game Type: 2025 NFL Playoffs – NFC Wild Card
The Rams and Panthers gave us one of the wildest wild-card games of the 2025 playoffs. The Rams went up 14-0. The Panthers came storming back. With 38 seconds left, Matthew Stafford hit Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard touchdown to win it 34-31.
Here’s every key stat you need, broken down by player and team.
Final Score by Quarter
| Quarter | Los Angeles Rams | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 7 | 0 |
| Q2 | 10 | 14 |
| Q3 | 3 | 3 |
| Q4 | 14 | 14 |
| Final | 34 | 31 |
Team Stats Overview
| Stat | LA Rams | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 411 | 333 |
| Passing Yards | 304 | 264 |
| Rushing Yards | 116 | 83 |
| Plays Run | 72 | 64 |
| First Downs | 22 | 21 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 31:46 | 28:14 |
| Penalties | 9 for 83 yds | 4 for 35 yds |
| Sacks Allowed | 1 | 2 |
| Touchdowns | 4 | 4 |
LA Rams Key Player Stats
Matthew Stafford – Quarterback
Stafford was far from perfect. He hurt his hand in the second quarter. But when it mattered most, he delivered. He went 6-of-7 on the final game-winning drive.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 24/42 |
| Passing Yards | 304 |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Completion % | 57.1% |
| Passer Rating | 93.8 |
| Avg Yards/Attempt | 6.86 |
| Sacks Taken | 1 |
| Longest Pass | 36 yards |
Key Moments:
- TD pass to Puka Nacua (14 yards) – Q1
- TD pass to Kyren Williams (13 yards) – Q4
- Game-winning TD pass to Colby Parkinson (19 yards) – Q4, :38 left
Historic Note: Stafford passed Kurt Warner to become the all-time leader in playoff passing yards (2,225) and completions (171) in Rams history. He also reached 20 career playoff touchdown passes.
Puka Nacua – Wide Receiver
Nacua was the best player on the field in the first half. He had two touchdowns and gave LA the early cushion they needed.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 10 |
| Receiving Yards | 111 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Total TDs | 2 |
Key Moments:
- Caught a 14-yard TD from Stafford in Q1
- Rushed 5 yards for a TD in Q2 (trick play)
Kyren Williams – Running Back
Williams was steady in the run game and caught the go-ahead TD late in the fourth.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 57 |
| Rush Attempts | ~15 |
| Receiving Yards | 13 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 |
| Avg Yards/Carry | ~3.8 |
Key Moment: Caught a 13-yard TD from Stafford in Q4 to give LA a 27-24 lead.
Colby Parkinson – Tight End
Parkinson was quiet most of the game. Then he caught the one that mattered most.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 3 |
| Receiving Yards | 43 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 |
| Longest Catch | 19 yards (game-winner) |
Key Moment: Hauled in a 19-yard TD with 38 seconds left to seal the win.
Davante Adams – Wide Receiver
Adams returned from a hamstring injury but was limited in his impact.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 1 |
| Receiving Yards | 14 |
Carolina Panthers Key Player Stats
Bryce Young – Quarterback
Young played the best game of his NFL career. He nearly pulled off a massive upset. He threw for 264 yards and a score, and added a rushing touchdown.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 21/40 |
| Passing Yards | 264 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Completion % | 52.5% |
| Passer Rating | 71.3 |
| Avg Yards/Attempt | 5.95 |
| Sacks Taken | 2 |
| Rush Yards | ~24 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
Key Moments:
- 16-yard TD scramble in Q2 (second-longest TD run of his career)
- 7-yard TD pass to Jalen Coker in Q4 to take a 31-27 lead
Jalen Coker – Wide Receiver
Coker had a career day. He was the best Panther on the field and nearly willed his team to a win.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 9 |
| Receiving Yards | 134 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 |
| Longest Reception | 52 yards |
Key Moment: Caught a 7-yard TD in the corner of the end zone in Q4, sending the crowd wild. Both the 9 catches and 134 yards were career highs.
Chuba Hubbard – Running Back
Hubbard ran hard all day and punched in two scores. He was the spark for the Panthers comeback.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Rush Yards | 46 |
| Rush Attempts | ~18 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 |
| Longest Run | 16 yards |
Key Moments:
- 1-yard TD run in Q2 (cut deficit to 14-7)
- 3-yard TD run in Q4 (gave Panthers their only lead, 24-20)
Tetairoa McMillan – Wide Receiver
McMillan was another option for Young in the passing game.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | ~4–5 |
| Role | Key chain-mover |
Scoring Summary
| Time | Quarter | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:39 | Q1 | Stafford → Nacua, 14-yd TD | LA 7–0 |
| 12:21 | Q2 | Nacua rush, 5-yd TD | LA 14–0 |
| 8:55 | Q2 | Hubbard rush, 1-yd TD | LA 14–7 |
| 5:28 | Q2 | Mevis 46-yd FG | LA 17–7 |
| 0:44 | Q2 | Young scramble, 16-yd TD | LA 17–14 |
| 7:34 | Q3 | Fitzgerald 46-yd FG | Tied 17–17 |
| 4:21 | Q3 | Mevis 42-yd FG | LA 20–17 |
| 14:38 | Q4 | Hubbard rush, 3-yd TD | CAR 24–20 |
| 8:52 | Q4 | Stafford → K. Williams, 13-yd TD | LA 27–24 |
| 2:43 | Q4 | Young → Coker, 7-yd TD | CAR 31–27 |
| 0:43 | Q4 | Stafford → Parkinson, 19-yd TD | LA 34–31 |
Defensive Stats – LA Rams
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Tackles | 29 |
| Sacks | 2.0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passes Defended | 6 |
| QB Hits | 8 |
| Fourth Down Stops | 3 |
Biggest defensive play: Jimmy Horn dropped a fourth-down pass from Young with under a minute left, ending Carolina’s last hope.
Defensive Stats – Carolina Panthers
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Tackles | 36 |
| Sacks | 1.0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passes Defended | 8 |
| QB Hits | 6 |
| Fourth Down Stops | 1 |
| Blocked Punt | 1 |
Biggest defensive play: Isaiah Simmons blocked a Rams punt in Q4, setting up Coker’s go-ahead TD.
How the Game Was Won (and Almost Lost)?
You don’t need to watch the highlights twice to understand what happened. Here’s the short version:
The Rams started fast. Nacua scored twice in the first half. LA had a 14-0 lead and looked in full control.
Then Stafford got hurt. He hit his hand on a Panther’s helmet late in Q2. He missed throws he usually makes. Three straight incompletions to Adams opened the second half. The Rams looked rattled.
The Panthers smelled blood. Bryce Young scrambled for a 16-yard TD before halftime. Hubbard ran it in twice in the second half. Carolina led 31-27 with 2:39 left.
Then Stafford showed why he’s an MVP candidate. He went 6-of-7 on the final drive. The big play was a 19-yard TD to Parkinson with 38 seconds left. Game over.
Sean McVay said it best: “There are no style points in the playoffs. It’s all about survive and advance.”
Read: Seattle Mariners vs Toronto Blue Jays Match Player Stats 2026: Full Game Breakdown
What This Win Means for the Rams?
- The Rams advance to the NFC Divisional Round
- Stafford is now the all-time leader in Rams playoff history for yards and completions
- McVay’s group survived their biggest scare of the year
- Davante Adams (hamstring return) will need to play better in the next round
What Went Wrong for the Panthers?
- Carolina was the only team in the playoffs with a losing record (8-9)
- They made it thanks to a three-way tiebreaker in the NFC South
- Young played a terrific game but the turnovers and a dropped fourth-down pass at the end sealed their fate
- This was Carolina’s first playoff game since the 2017 season
Player Performance Grades
| Player | Team | Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stafford | Rams | A- | Huge game-winner despite injury |
| Puka Nacua | Rams | A | 10 catches, 2 TDs, set the tone |
| Jalen Coker | Panthers | A | Career day, nearly stole the win |
| Bryce Young | Panthers | B+ | Best game of his career |
| Colby Parkinson | Rams | A+ | One catch that changed everything |
| Chuba Hubbard | Panthers | A- | Two TDs, kept Carolina alive |
| Kyren Williams | Rams | B+ | Steady, clutch TD catch |
| Davante Adams | Rams | C | One catch, still working back |
FAQs – Rams vs Panthers NFC Wild Card 2025
Q: What was the final score of Rams vs Panthers in the 2025 Wild Card game? A: Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31. The Rams won on a late TD pass with 38 seconds left.
Q: How did Matthew Stafford perform in the game? A: Stafford went 24-of-42 for 304 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He played through a hand injury and led the game-winning drive.
Q: Who scored the game-winning touchdown? A: Tight end Colby Parkinson caught a 19-yard TD pass from Stafford with 38 seconds remaining in Q4.
Q: How did Bryce Young play for the Panthers? A: Young threw for 264 yards and a TD, plus rushed for a TD. He had 21 completions on 40 attempts with one interception. It was widely viewed as the best game of his NFL career.
Q: Who was the best player in the Rams vs Panthers game? A: Puka Nacua led the Rams with 10 catches, 111 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Jalen Coker led the Panthers with 9 catches, 134 yards, and a TD — both career highs.
Q: Did Chuba Hubbard score for the Panthers? A: Yes. Hubbard rushed for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in Q4 that briefly gave Carolina a 24-20 lead.
Q: Was this the Panthers’ first playoff game in years? A: Yes. Carolina had not played in the playoffs since the 2017 season. They made it in 2025 despite finishing 8-9.
Q: Did Stafford break any records in this game? A: Yes. Stafford passed Kurt Warner to become the all-time Rams leader in both playoff passing yards (2,225) and completions (171). He also reached 20 career playoff touchdowns.
Q: What happened at the end of the game for the Panthers? A: After Jalen Coker caught a TD to make it 31-27, the Panthers had one final chance after Stafford’s TD. On fourth down, wide receiver Jimmy Horn dropped a pass from Young, turning the ball over and ending Carolina’s season.
Q: Who blocked the punt for the Panthers? A: Isaiah Simmons blocked a Rams punt in the fourth quarter, setting up the Panthers inside the Rams’ 30-yard line and leading to Coker’s go-ahead TD.
Q: Where did the Rams go after this win? A: The Rams advanced to the NFC Divisional Round, where they beat the Chicago Bears 20-17 before losing to the Seattle Seahawks 31-27 in the NFC Championship.
Conclusion
The 2025 NFC Wild Card clash between the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers was a true playoff thriller, packed with momentum swings, standout performances, and late-game drama. The Rams ultimately edged out a 34–31 victory thanks to Matthew Stafford’s clutch fourth-quarter drive and Colby Parkinson’s game-winning touchdown with just seconds remaining. Despite the loss, Bryce Young and the Panthers showed incredible fight, pushing the game to the final moments with explosive plays from Jalen Coker and Chuba Hubbard. In the end, experience and execution under pressure made the difference, sending the Rams forward in the playoffs while leaving fans with one of the most unforgettable games of the season.
