Underdog Panthers return to playoffs hosting Rams in wild card

The Los Angeles Rams drew considerable attention during the season and could be in line for more accolades.

But the Carolina Panthers did enough to secure a home game in the NFL's wild-card round. The Rams will visit for Saturday's game in Charlotte.

The Rams were second in the NFC West, though they've been tagged by some observers as one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl.

Part of that is due to quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns with eight interceptions. That has put him in the running for the NFL's Most Valuable Player.

"I just don't take any of these opportunities for granted," Stafford said. "It feels great to be at this point."

The Panthers are back in the playoffs for the first time in eight years, and they haven't won a playoff game since January 2016. Although they beat the Rams six weeks ago, they're clearly in the underdog role after finishing 8-9 in the regular season but winning the NFC South.

"Just continuing to try to push the envelope, just try to push it a little bit farther every day," Panthers coach Dave Canales said.

Yet Stafford had forgettable moments as Los Angeles lost 31-28 to the Panthers in Charlotte on Nov. 30. He was 18-for-28 with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

"I'd like to not throw it to their team," Stafford said when recalling that outing. "That was the story of the game."

Since that setback, the Rams went 3-2, with two of the victories against Arizona.

"I think we've learned through it all," Stafford said. "I think we've learned through the really good times and some of the times that we came up short."

Carolina didn't cruise into the postseason, going 1-3 in four games since upsetting Los Angeles. The Panthers got into the playoffs by way of a three-way divisional tiebreaker.

The Panthers, who have lost two consecutive games, have only once reached the 20-point mark since their first meeting with the Rams.

But this is a huge step for Carolina quarterback Bryce Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft choice who'll play in his first professional postseason game.

"These are the moments," Canales said. "When we've put Bryce in these high-end situations, he has performed well. So I love this challenge, for our group, and especially for Bryce."

This will be the Panthers' first home playoff game since their run to the Super Bowl in the 2015 season.

"It's so important that we don't just block it all out," Canales said. "That we take it all in, and use it. Use that energy. Playing at home it's why it's so important to win the division."

The Rams should have receiver Davante Adams back after he missed three games with a hamstring injury. Fellow wideout Puka Nacua caught an NFL-best 129 passes this season, with six for 72 yards coming against Carolina.

"Just the consistency," Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said. "He's so physically and mentally tough."

By comparison, Carolina's leader in receptions is Tetairoa McMillan with 70.

The Rams activated safety Quentin Lake from injured reserve so he can play Saturday. Receiver Jordan Whittington (knee) might be questionable for the playoff game after not practicing Tuesday and Wednesday.

For the Panthers, it's trending toward a return for receiver David Moore, who has been out since Week 4 with an elbow injury. Offensive lineman Robert Hunt might potentially come back as well.

The only time these franchises met in the postseason came in 2004, when the Rams were located in St. Louis.