The Carolina Panthers delivered a surprising performance on Sunday, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-28 at home. This victory positions the Panthers as a potential sleeper in the NFC playoff race, especially considering that the Rams, now 9-4, have only lost to the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles this season.
With this win, the Panthers improved their record to 7-6, marking their third victory in five games. This successful stretch includes a narrow 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers earlier in the season. The emergence of third-year quarterback Bryce Young has been instrumental, as he continues to make crucial plays down the stretch.
Against the Rams, Young showcased his skills by completing a 43-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan on a pivotal fourth-and-2 play, giving the Panthers a late lead. Young”s impressive stats for the game included 15 completions on 20 attempts for a total of 206 yards and three touchdown passes.
In the defensive department, the Panthers have been holding their own as they rank 13th in the league for points allowed, averaging 22.4 per game. In their latest matchup, the defense made significant contributions by forcing two turnovers against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Early in the game, Stafford threw an interception to safety Nick Scott, and later, cornerback Mike Jackson returned a Stafford pass for a 48-yard touchdown, giving Carolina a 14-7 advantage.
Stafford, who has been a leading candidate for league MVP, had not thrown an interception since Week 3 prior to this game. The Panthers” path to the playoffs is critical in the upcoming weeks. Following a bye in Week 14, they will face the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Weeks 16 and 18. Winning both matchups could elevate their playoff chances from 30% to 94%, as reported by The Athletic.
The recent win against the Rams demonstrates the Panthers” potential to navigate this crucial stretch effectively. If they secure a playoff berth, the team may prove to be a formidable opponent.
