The Los Angeles Rams entered Sunday as 10-point favorites over the Carolina Panthers, but left the East Coast with a disappointing 31-28 loss that snapped a six-game win streak.
While Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns, he turned the ball over three times, including two interceptions and a late-game fumble that secured Carolina’s victory.
The Panthers had fewer yards than the Rams, but won the turnover battle and converted on all three fourth-down conversions to keep more drives alive.
LA started the game off strong, capitalizing on a long kickoff return by Blake Corum after Stafford threw his 28th-straight touchdown pass without a turnover. The 17-year NFL veteran set a league record after finding wide receiver Davante Adams in the end zone.
Carolina immediately responded as Bryce Young lofted a screen pass to running back Chuba Hubbard for a 35-yard touchdown. On the Rams’ next possession, the Panthers’ defense forced Stafford into throwing an interception when LA was at Carolina’s eight-yard line, putting a stop to a solid drive.
A few possessions later, cornerback Mike Jackson read and picked off a pass from Stafford and ran it 48 yards to the end zone. After not throwing a pick since Week 3, Stafford threw two in one quarter.
He eventually settled in and led a 64-yard touchdown drive, capped by Adams’ second touchdown of the day that tied the game at 14 apiece.
After Carolina took the lead back with a field goal, Corum pounded the ball into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown to give LA the lead. The score added to Corum’s outstanding day, as he ran for a career-high 81 yards. Running back Kyren Williams also showed up, rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown.
While Carolina’s defense took advantage of Stafford’s poor passing choices, their offense ultimately capitalized on the additional scoring opportunities.
To start the 3rd quarter, wide receiver Jalen Coker broke free on fourth down for a 33-yard touchdown to give the Panthers the lead.
Carolina also had success on the ground. Running backs Rico Dowdle and Hubbard were simply unwilling to go down, combining for 141 rushing yards.
In the fourth quarter, Stafford went deep to wide receiver Puka Nacua, who climbed the ladder and came up with a highlight-worthy catch on a scoring drive.
Down three points late in the game, the Rams had six minutes to drive downfield and retake the lead. LA moved the ball with ease, but got penalized for the first time all game for a delay of game that set up a 3rd-and-10. Stafford got sacked, and Brown, who tipped the first interception of the game, knocked the ball out of his hands, forcing Carolina’s third turnover to seal the deal.
With the loss, the Rams fall to 9-3, which makes the NFC West title race even more intense, with the Seahawks at 9-3 and the 49ers at 9-4.
LA will next face its divisional foe, the Arizona Cardinals, on Dec. 7.