Forbes gave up two touchdowns on fourth down, which proved to be pivotal plays
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was at the center of two big plays during the Los Angeles Rams’ shocking loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Both of them were on fourth down, and both went for long touchdowns.
The first was when the Rams were leading 21-17 in the third quarter, taking control of the game after Blake Corum’s touchdown run. After the Panthers failed on third down, they went for it on fourth-and-3 from the Rams’ 33-yard line.
Jalen Coker beat Forbes down the right side for a touchdown, giving the Panthers a 24-21 lead.
The Rams took the lead back, 28-24, in the fourth quarter, but that didn’t last very long. On fourth-and-2 from Los Angeles’ 42, the Panthers went for it again and Bryce Young hit Tetairoa McMillan across the field for a long touchdown – again, with Forbes in coverage.
After the game, Forbes explained what happened on the two touchdowns, admitting he got beat on the first and saying he got bumped on the second.
Emmanuel Forbes on 2 4th down TDs: “The first one, just inside leverage and good ball by Bryce and just got beat on that one. And then second, they ran cross country in the over routes and kind of got bumped and I went to undercut it last second and just a perfect throw”
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) November 30, 2025
Here’s a look at that second score, which proved to be the game-winner as the Panthers went on to win, 31-28.
Forbes has been great for the Rams lately, but he struggled badly in this one against Coker. It was a disappointing performance from the team as a whole, but Forbes also needs to be better individually if the Rams are going to make a deep run in the playoffs.
He’ll look to bounce back next week on the road against the Cardinals.