Rams Fall in Carolina
The Los Angeles Rams saw their six-game winning streak come to an end Sunday, falling 31–28 to the Carolina Panthers before 71,292 fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Rams saw their six-game winning streak come to an end Sunday, falling 31–28 to the Carolina Panthers before 71,292 fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford committed three costly turnovers, including two interceptions. The first, picked off by Nick Scott, ended Stafford’s NFL-record streak of 28 straight touchdown passes without an interception. The second was returned 48 yards for a touchdown by Mike Johnson. Stafford finished 18 of 28 for 243 yards and two touchdowns.
“They made the plays to be able to win the football game,” head coach Sean McVay said. “The things that we’ve been doing at a high clip, we didn’t do today. We gave ourselves chances to get back in it and retake leads. Turnovers and some of the fourth-down conversions they were able to convert were the difference.”
Young Shines for Panthers
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns—including two on fourth down. His go-ahead 43-yard strike to rookie Tetaiiroa McMillan with 6:34 remaining capped the Panthers’ comeback and lifted them to 7–6.
At 24 years and 128 days, Young became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to record 11 fourth-quarter or overtime game-winning drives, surpassing reigning MVP Josh Allen.
The Southern California product from Mater Dei High School also threw touchdowns of 35 yards to Chuba Hubbard, 33 yards to Jalen Coker, and another 43-yarder to McMillan.
“His demeanor, his aura when it comes to late drives is contagious,” McMillan said. “He’s done it 11 times now. When your leader can do that, it speaks volumes.”
Rams’ Offense Shows Fight
Despite the mistakes, the Rams (9–3) still put up strong offensive numbers.
Blake Corum broke loose for a 34-yard run and led the team with 83 rushing yards, while Kyren Williams added 78 and a 7-yard touchdown run set up by a spectacular one-handed 30-yard catch from Puka Nacua.
The score gave the Rams a 28–21 lead before Carolina rallied.
Defensive Effort
Linebackers Nate Landman and Byron Young led the defense with eight tackles each. Omar Speights added seven stops.
Stafford reached another milestone, passing Matt Ryan to move into eighth place all time in NFL passing yardage with 62,882.
One positive for the Rams: they were flagged only once for five yards. Los Angeles remains the least-penalized team in the NFL with 66 on the season. Jacksonville (130) and Denver (121) top the league in penalties.
Up Next
The Rams travel to Arizona next week as they look to rebound.
The Panthers head into their bye week.
