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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The forecast for the Carolina Panthers’ home playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday looks rainy, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
The Panthers and Rams met in the regular season back on Nov. 30, and in that game, the two teams dealt with off-and-on rain.
This time around, the forecast looks wet again. However, Saturday’s high of around 70 degrees is significantly warmer than the cold 40s the teams battled in back in November.
Carolina made the most of the nasty conditions during the regular-season matchup, when it forced three Rams turnovers and sloppy conditions set up a strong rushing attack for the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Charlotte, (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)(Rusty Jones | AP)
On paper, the Rams — who are 10.5-point favorites — are the better team entering Saturday’s wild card round playoff game.
They have an MVP candidate in quarterback Matthew Stafford, the NFL’s second-leading receiver in Puka Nacua, and a high-powered offense that racks up more yards and points than anyone else in the league. Their top-10 scoring defense isn’t too shabby either.
Despite all that firepower that the Rams have, though, the Panthers proved in November that the weather could be the great equalizer.
Rams committed 3 turnovers in rain-soaked game
Stafford threw two interceptions and fumbled once during that first matchup, and Carolina took advantage of those miscues. It was tied for the most turnovers he had in a game all season.
NFL players — especially quarterbacks — will rarely blame the weather for their shortcomings, but it’s not hard to think that the nasty conditions could have played at least some role in Week 13. Sure, the Panthers made plays and capitalized on opportunities but playing offense in the rain is undoubtedly harder than in the dry.
Throw in the fact that the Rams are used to playing in an indoor, climate-controlled stadium in warm southern California, and gross weather — at least in theory — seems to be an advantage for Carolina. Especially since the Panthers currently don’t even have an indoor practice facility in which they can escape the rain.
—> Related: Panthers playoff game could be impacted by rain, lightning: Football forecast
Wet weather could lead to run-heavy game
If conditions stay as wet as forecast, then Saturday’s game could naturally become more run-heavy for both teams — simply because it’s harder to throw and catch when it’s pouring rain.
During Carolina’s 31-28 regular-season win over Los Angeles, the Panthers leaned heavily on the running game.
Yes, Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes, but of the Panthers’ 62 offensive plays, 40 were runs. Running backs Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle carried the ball 17 and 18 times, respectively, for a combined total of 141 yards. Young added another 23 rushing yards, and that total was hampered by a few kneel-downs at the end of the game.
Those 40 rushes in November helped the Panthers hold onto the ball for 35 of the 60 minutes, giving Stafford and company less time and less possessions to run the score up.
The Panthers ran for a team total 164 yards during their Nov. 30 matchup with the Rams.(Brian Westerholt | AP)
Getting right guard Robert Hunt back from injury should only help the Panthers’ run game — a facet that is already one of Carolina’s strengths.
If the Panthers can run the ball well and Young can make key throws when he needs to, then they have a chance.
—> More: Carolina Panthers playoff game in Charlotte: What to know before you go
Panthers have home field advantage
Despite having a worse regular-season record than the Rams, the Panthers are a higher seed because they won their division and by virtue of that were guaranteed a home game in the opening playoff round.
Anyone who was at or watched the November game between the Panthers and Rams saw the advantage Carolina had playing at home, and that the rain and cold didn’t dampen the crowd.
Especially in the second half, the rain-soaked, shivering fans were loud. “Keep Pounding” chants broke out midgame, fans chanted “Chuba” while he grinded away the Rams defense, and the cheers were as loud as they’ve been in years after a clutch fourth-quarter, fourth-down touchdown from Young to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Bank of America Stadium (Drone)(WBTV)
Panthers players have noticed just how much crowds at “The Bank” have gotten into it in recent weeks.
“The last couple games [were] some of the best atmospheres I’ve played in,” rookie safety Lathan Ransom said this week. “To get another opportunity to be out there in front of the fans, [I’m] super blessed, super excited. Can’t wait to hear how loud it is.”
—> Related: Reviewing Panthers stadium weather policy ahead of rainy playoff game
Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn expects Panthers fans to keep that momentum going into the playoffs.
“I expect it to be lit,” Horn said of the atmosphere on Saturday. “It’s been a decade, so I need everybody to pull up and, you know, just deck it out. And I think it’s going to be the loudest I’ve ever heard it.”
Players seem confident the fans will be behind them but if they need any help, Panthers legend Cam Newton is rumored to be the “Keep Pounding” drummer on Saturday and will surely get the crowd going.
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