NFL wild-card weekend kicks off with a battle between the Los Angeles Rams and NFC South champion Carolina Panthers. The Rams could have avoided the wild-card round altogether, but a 1-2 finish to the season has them as the No. 5 seed heading to Charlotte. Carolina needed help from Atlanta to clinch the division, but the Panthers are in and much improved since last season.
The Rams come into this playoff game as one of the favorites out of the NFC, led by MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. This Rams offense has been explosive, even in losses this season, behind Stafford’s 46 touchdown passes, 4,707 yards and 276.9 yards per game, all of which led the NFL. L.A. will also have wide receiver Davante Adams back on the field for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in mid-December.
Advertisement
Carolina comes in with a losing record (8-9) in the regular season, but will host since it won the division. The Panthers are playing with house money, as nobody outside of Charlotte expects much from this team in the postseason. Third-year quarterback Bryce Young took a step forward in his progression, completing the best season of his career. The Panthers upset the visiting Rams 31-28 on Nov. 30 as Young tossed three TDs and Carolina turned over Stafford three times. If Carolina can’t figure out how to slow down this Rams offense, it could be a long day.
Rams-Panthers start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, North Carolina
TV channel, live stream: Fox, NFL+
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Carolina Panthers host the Los Angeles Rams to kick off wild-card weekend.
Live45 updatesSat, January 10, 2026 at 2:50 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
What a game from Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker! Coker has nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.
The Panthers lead 31-27 with under three minutes to go in the fourth.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
After a few positive plays early in the drive, a holding penalty ended the Rams’ momentum. The Panthers were able to force a Rams punt late in the fourth quarter — only to block it, setting themselves up with possession of the ball at the Rams’ 30-yard line.
The Rams had just fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn in late December after a series of miscues in a TNF loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The latest blocked punt is just another hit below the belt.
The Rams lead 27-24.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn leaves the game after a collision in the fourth quarter. Akayleb Evans comes in for Horn.
The Rams lead 27-24 late in the fourth quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:19 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Rams retake the lead on a Kyren Williams receiving touchdown. Williams also has 13 carries for 57 yards.
The Rams’ touchdown drive was saved after wide receiver Puka Nacua broke up a pass that was nearly intercepted. The Rams lead 27-24 in the fourth quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:06 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Panthers take their first lead of the game after Chubba Hubbard’s second touchdown. Hubbard has 39 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Hubbard’s touchdown was set up after an interception by Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson and a 52-yard catch and run by wide receiver Jalen Coker.
The Panthers lead 24-20 in the fourth quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:06 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
A Panthers interception sets up a 52-yard catch and run by wide receiver Jalen Coker. The Panthers are in scoring position early in the fourth quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:03 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson nabs his fifth interception of the year in a crucial moment, setting the Panthers up inside the 10, down just three points against the Rams.
The Panthers were tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the eighth-most interceptions in the regular season this year (15), with cornerback Jaycee Horn leading the team with five.
The Rams entered this matchup as 10.5-point favorites.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams was evaluated for a concussion and was cleared to return, according to Pam Oliver. Adams took a big hit from Panthers’ Nick Scott. Scott was called for unnecessary roughness.
Adams has two catches in the game for 33 yards. This is Adams’ first game back after reinjuring his hamstring against the Lions in Week 15.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:55 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
The Los Angeles Rams have taken the lead with a 42-yard field goal from Harrison Mevis, gifted a little something from the Carolina Panthers following a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty to give them a first down after a close call on third-and-5.
Mevis has made each of his field goal attempts and PATs in this game, continuing to roll in what’s been an efficient rookie season so far. He’s made each of his 41 extra point attempts and 14 of 15 field goal tries.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:52 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Los Angeles Rams retook the lead after Harrison Mevis’ field goal. The Rams lead 20-17 in the third quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:36 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Panthers tie the game up with a field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald. The Panthers trailed 14-0 early in the first half.
Quarterback Bryce Young has led the Panthers on this comeback. Young is 14-of-25 passing for 178 yards and an interception, adding another 24 rushing yards and a score on the ground.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:28 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:25 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Three straight Matthew Stafford incompletions on passes to Davante Adams end the Rams’ first drive of the second half. Adams has one catch for 14 yards in his first game back from a hamstring injury.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:18 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Rams got off to a blazing start, taking a 14-0 lead behind two touchdowns from wide receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua has six catches for 63 yards and a receiving and rushing touchdown.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is 10-17 for 137 yards and a touchdown. Rams running back Kyren Williams has added 37 rushing yards.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and stops by the defense kept them in the game. Young is 11-20 for 151 yards and an interception. Young was able to connect with wide receivers Jalen Coker, Tetairoa McMillan and tight end Tommy Tremble.
Running back Chuba Hubbard punched in the Panthers’ first touchdown. Young took it in himself for a 16-yard rushing touchdown to bring the Panthers back in the game.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:02 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Bryce Young could not be stopped on the Panthers’ latest scoring drive. After throwing a 32-yard pass to Jalen Coker puts the Panthers in the red zone, Young took it in himself for a 16-yard rushing touchdown.
Young is 11 of 20 for 151 yards and an interception. The Panthers cut the Rams’ lead down to three. The Panthers lead 17-14 late in the second quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 2:59 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Bryce Young’s 32-yard pass to Jalen Coker puts the Panthers in the red zone. The pass set up a rushing touchdown from Young.
The Rams lead the Panthers 17- 14 late in the second quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 2:57 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
The Panthers stopped the Rams on 4-and-3 in the red zone. The Panthers take possession of the ball late in the second quarter.
The Rams lead 17-7 with under two minutes in the second quarter.
Sat, January 10, 2026 at 2:55 PM PST
Tarohn Finley
Panthers guard Robert Hunt is questionable to return with a pec injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Panthers’ left tackle Ikem Ekwonu has also been ruled out for the rest of the game.