By Steve Reed
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard go-ahead landing cross to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds to elevate the Los Angeles Rams to a dramatic 34-31 wild-card spherical win over the Carolina Panthers within the opening recreation of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.
Stafford completed 24 of 42 for 304 yards with three landing passes, whereas Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 111 yards and two whole touchdowns because the Rams (13-5), who had been 10 1/2-point favorites, superior to the divisional playoffs.
Bryce Younger threw for 264 yards and a landing and ran for an additional rating for Carolina (8-10), which completed the season shedding 4 of its last 5 video games. Jalen Coker had profession highs with 9 receptions for 134 yards with a landing and Chuba Hubbard ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns.
The Panthers fell behind 14-0 early, however stormed again to take a 24-20 lead on Hubbard’s second landing of the run recreation early within the fourth quarter.
Stafford, who was chosen as an All-Professional earlier within the day, led the Rams again down on the sphere and located Kyren Williams for a 13-yard landing strike over the center for a 27-24 lead.
Los Angeles seemed to be in cost after getting a cease on protection giving Stafford the ball again.
However a holding penalty put the Rams behind the sticks and compelled a punt, which Isaiah Simmons blocked to set the Panthers up the Rams 30.
4 performs later, Younger discovered Coker within the left nook of the top zone for a 7-yard scoring strike to provide Carolina a 31-27 lead 2:39 left, sending the house crowd right into a frenzy.
However Stafford rapidly moved the Rams 71 yards in seven performs with Panthers two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn on the sideline with a concussion, ending it off with a superbly positioned cross to Parkinson close to the appropriate facet of the purpose line. Parkinson, who had two TDs final week, compelled his manner into the top zone for the rating.
It was practically the second time this season the Rams misplaced to the Panthers as a ten 1/2-point underdog. Carolina received 31-28 on Nov. 30.
Carolina’s final try to maneuver into field-goal vary ended when Jimmy Horn dropped a fourth down cross from Younger.
Carolina hoped the return of former quarterback Cam Newton to Financial institution of America Stadium to hit the “Keep Pounding” drum earlier than the sport would give the Panthers slightly additional mojo early, however issues didn’t begin effectively.
After the Rams protection got here up with a cease on fourth down at midfield on Carolina’s opening drive, Stafford rapidly moved the offense downfield and located Nacua for a 14-yard landing cross over the center for a 7-0 lead.
Nacua made it 14-0 on a 5-yard run following Younger’s interception.
Carolina minimize the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard landing run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Younger, the second-longest TD run of his profession.
The Rams had an opportunity to construct on the lead, however Nacau dropped a possible third TD on a cross down the appropriate sideline from Stafford simply earlier than halftime.
Stafford units Rams markStafford surpassed Kurt Warner for essentially the most postseason passing yards and completions in Rams historical past.
UP NEXT
Rams: advance to the divisional spherical.
Panthers: season over.
