After an eleven-month wait, playoff football is finally back. The postseason kicks off on Saturday with arguably the most lopsided matchup of the Wild Card Round, as the Los Angeles Rams travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers.
Despite the Rams entering as heavy favorites, this matchup already played out during the regular season — and the Panthers pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year. That result alone adds intrigue to a game that, on paper, should strongly favor Los Angeles. Here’s a complete breakdown, viewing guide, and prediction.
Rams vs Panthers: Breakdown, Where to Watch, and Prediction
Game Breakdown
Despite that regular-season upset, this is still a game the Rams should win. They are led by MVP candidate Matthew Stafford, who is expected to have both of his premier wide receivers available, with Davante Adams returning. The simplest explanation is that Stafford in the playoffs is a different quarterback altogether. He owns a career playoff passer rating of 102.3, the fifth-highest in NFL history, and consistently elevates his level when the stakes are highest.
That said, one area where Stafford-led teams, and Sean McVay-coached teams in general, have historically struggled is bad weather. Intermittent showers and wind are expected in Carolina, which could limit the Rams’ offensive ceiling. Even after factoring that in, this matchup still heavily favors Los Angeles. The Rams hold a significant advantage at both quarterback and head coach, especially in a playoff setting.
So how can the Panthers beat the Rams again?
First, they need Stafford to have another human day, similar to his performance in the earlier meeting. From there, Carolina must relentlessly attack the weak links in the Rams’ defense, which looked far shakier in the second half of the regular season than it did early on. The Panthers must stay committed to the run, use play-action to exploit man coverages, and consistently involve their tight ends. Most importantly, turnovers cannot happen. At all.
That’s easier said than done.
What the Regular-Season Game Tells Us
In the regular-season matchup, the Rams committed three turnovers while the Panthers had zero. Even then, Los Angeles was one late defensive stop away from having a chance to steal the game. But a signature Bryce Young play erased that possibility.
While that result gives Carolina hope, it also reinforces an important point: when this game is played cleanly, it is more or less dependent on what the Rams do. It’s unlikely they repeat those mistakes in a playoff environment.
Where and When to Watch
The game will be the first matchup of the Wild Card Round and will be played on Saturday, January 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET.
The game will be broadcast live on FOX.
Final Prediction
The Panthers are playing with house money after winning their division following a long hiatus from playoff relevance. For the Rams, however, anything short of a deep postseason run would feel like a disappointment.
The 2022 Super Bowl champions should clean up their mistakes, control the game from the start, and get revenge when it matters most.
Prediction Score: Rams 27-13 Panthers