CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Carolina Panthers lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 34-31, on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.
The game marked the Panthers’ first playoff game since January 2018, when they lost to the Saints in New Orleans. Carolina had not played a playoff game at home since January 2016.
Bryce Young’s strong showing wasn’t enough to overcome a 300-yard, three-touchdown night from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Stafford completed a 19-yard touchdown to tight end Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left to retake the lead, and the Panthers were unable to get a field goal to tie and force overtime.
With the loss, the high-powered Rams will move on to the divisional round of the playoffs while the Panthers’ season is over.
Los Angeles’ next opponent will be determined by the outcomes of the other NFC games this weekend.
Carolina will have some key free agency decisions to make this offseason, including what to do with running back Rico Dowdle. Saturday’s loss gave the Panthers the 19th pick in this spring’s NFL draft.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) carries after a catch during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)(Jacob Kupferman | AP)Click here for more Panthers coverage
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