DONALD WATKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST


Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson steps in front of Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua for an interception in the Panthers’ 31-28 win Nov. 30 at Bank of America Stadium.

With Carolina Panthers cornerstone cornerback Jaycee Horn sidelined, Mike Jackson stepped up.

Jackson cut in front of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua for an interception and dashed down the sideline for his first NFL pick-six in the Panthers’ 31-28 upset win Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.  

“That was unbelievable,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said. “It was such a payoff.” 

Along with Horn, the Panthers also played without starting safety Tre’von Moehrig, who was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct in Monday’s loss to San Francisco, and Corey Thornton, who was lost for the season with an injury in the same game. 

Enacting the “next man up” philosophy, the Panthers turned to their young reinforcements, second-year cornerback Chau Smith-Wade and rookie safety Lathan Ransom, to face quarterback Matthew Stafford, an MVP contender. With his 4-yard touchdown pass 2 minutes, 50 seconds into the first quarter, Stafford established an NFL record for 28 consecutive touchdown passes without an interception. 

Then, the Panthers’ secondary picked off Stafford twice over his next three passes, highlighted by Jackson’s scoring sprint down the near sideline.  

Jackson joked that the new-look secondary attempted to make Stafford into “Superman with no cape.” 

“When he’s having his Hall of Fame speech,” Jackson said, “I’m going to be thinking about this pick.” 

Stafford entered Sunday leading the NFL with 30 touchdown passes and a 113.7 rating. The Rams (9-3) had their six-game winning streak snapped. 

“I’m so proud of this group, going blow-for-blow with an amazing team,” Canales said.  

With injuries in the secondary creating issues on a short work week, the Panthers brought back familiar faces in cornerbacks Robert Rochell and David Long Jr., and elevated Kalen King from the practice squad to his NFL debut.  

“It’s just the next man up,” Jackson said. “There’s guys that you guys might not know. They got a chance to go out there and play.” 

Panthers pick off Stafford 

King tried to stay patient.  

A 2024 seventh-round draft pick by Green Bay, King was on the practice squad for all but one game last season. On Sunday, he covered kickoffs. 

“Two years I waited and it felt amazing,” King said. “I went out there and competed. Hopefully we can build on this going into the bye week and create some momentum and win a division.” 

Carolina quarterback Bryce Young completed 15-of-20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, including two on fourth down. He was credited with his 11th fourth-quarter game-winning drive, the most of any QB since 2023.

“I just trust my guys,” Young said. “There’s no big conversation, no big hoorah.”

The Panthers improved to 7-6 – their first seven-win season since 2022 – and will return to action Dec. 14 at New Orleans. They trail NFC South-leading Tampa Bay (7-5) by a half game.  

Stafford started Sunday by completing four of his first five passes, leading the Rams to a quick 7-0 advantage. After Young capped his first drive with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Chuba Hubbard, to tie the score at 7-7, Stafford’s turnover troubles started to mount. 

Sparked by Stafford’s 32-yard pass to Davante Adams, who beat Smith-Wade in coverage, the Rams drove to the Panthers’ 8. Stafford’s third-down pass deflected off defensive lineman Derrick Brown’s helmet and into the arms of safety Nick Scott, ending his interception-free streak of 317. 

“Man, it was great,” Rochell said of beating his former team. “I know I’m just getting here this week, meeting the guys. We came out and listened to our coaches this week. It was an amazing dub to part of.” 

Bryce Young: ‘I know my guys’

Long knows Stafford. 

As a teammate with the Rams, he learned about Stafford’s variety of throwing angles from firsthand experience during practices. 

“Stafford is one of the great throwers in the league,” Long said last week after his first Panthers practice. “I feel like you have to give him his respect.”

Long compared Stafford’s big-play abilities to NBA star Stephen Curry. Like Stafford completing passes via unorthodox throws, the former Davidson College sharpshooter will find a way to make long-range shots. 

“It’s like Steph Curry. (He) might be perfectly covered and he’ll hit a jump shot in your face,” Long said. “You have to line up and play defense on the next play.  

“That’s the biggest thing – play your technique.” 

Despite the Panthers forcing Stafford into three turnovers, including a Derrick Brown-induced sack-fumble with 2:34 remaining to clinch the win, Canales said Carolina will enter the off week confidently, but understands there are “things to clean up.” 

Canales cited the secondary play as “up and down.” 

Ransom led Carolina with 11 tackles, including a sack, but the first-year player will be challenged to “remain connected with the back end,” Canales said. “Lathan was working through some things. 

“He played physical and showed up making hits in the run game and had a nice sack. He’s a dynamic player. I thought Chau Smith-Wade did a solid job today.”  

Horn (concussion) missed a game for the 32nd time in his career. Through 12 games this season, he’s grabbed a career-high five interceptions, including two in the San Francisco loss. 

With a week off, the Panthers anticipate Horn returning to health and Moehrig will remain disciplined for the remainder of the season.  

“There’s going to be ups and downs, but I know my guys,” Young said. “I know how they work. I know who they are. I know the competitors they are. No matter what, I’ll always have confidence in them, so I’ll never change.”

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