NFC WILD CARD: RAMS at PANTHERS
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. PT
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
TV/Radio: FOX (Ch. 11)/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 225, 226
Line: Rams by 10½ points
Notable injury designations
Rams: OUT: RG Kevin Dotson (ankle), WR Jordan Whittington (knee); QUESTIONABLE: TE Terrance Ferguson (hamstring), CB Josh Wallace (ankle).
Panthers: QUESTIONABLE: OG Rob Hunt (biceps), OG Chandler Zavala (calf).
What’s at stake? A win in the playoff opener. A measure of redemption for the Rams from November’s 31-28 loss to Carolina. And moving within three wins of a Super Bowl title.
Who’s better? As just covered above, the Rams lost to Carolina six games ago. But it took a lot for the Panthers to get the win – three turnovers by quarterback Matthew Stafford, a strong push in the running game against a defense playing its first game without safety Quentin Lake and some spectacular plays by Panthers quarterback Bryce Young on third and fourth downs. Assuming some turnover regression from Stafford and with Lake back off injured reserve, the edge goes to the Rams.
Matchup to watch: The Rams’ interior offensive line vs. Panthers DT Derrick Brown. Without Dotson, it will be a team effort for the Rams to contain one of the more disruptive defensive linemen in the game. Second-year guard Justin Dedich will fill in at right guard, but at 6-foot-2 he will need help against the 6-5, 320-pound Brown. That could come in the form of chip blocks or double teams from center Coleman Shelton, or some secondary blocks from a running back in the pocket.
Rams win if: They get off to a fast start, building an early two-possession lead to limit Carolina’s ability to run the ball and kill clock. … Stafford commits no more than one turnover. … Running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum average more than 4.5 yards per carry against a defense that struggles against the run.
Fantasy sleeper: Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson. The rookie might be ruled out, but if he plays he figures to play a role with his ability to stretch the Carolina defense. He just missed out on a touchdown against the Panthers in November and is on a better footing with Stafford in regards to where the quarterback wants him to settle into zone coverages than he was earlier in the season.
Prediction: Rams 27, Panthers 20. Beat reporter’s record: 13-4 overall; 11-6 against the spread.