The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Carolina Panthers 34-31 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game on January 10, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Rams overcame a fourth-quarter deficit with Matthew Stafford’s late touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson. It was a rematch of Carolina’s 31-28 regular-season win over Los Angeles on November 30, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- The Rams beat the Panthers 34-31 in the January 10, 2026 Wild Card game.
- Matthew Stafford threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns in the playoff victory.
- Puka Nacua recorded 10 catches for 111 yards and also scored a rushing touchdown.
- Carolina had previously beaten Los Angeles 31-28 during the 2025 regular season.
- The published 2026 regular-season schedules do not include a Rams-Panthers matchup.
Rams vs Panthers: Latest Result
The latest completed Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers matchup was the NFC Wild Card playoff game on January 10, 2026.
The Rams won 34-31 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Los Angeles started quickly, taking a 14-0 lead, but Carolina fought back and went into halftime trailing only 17-14. The Panthers eventually took a fourth-quarter lead before the Rams answered with two late touchdown drives.
The winning score came with only seconds remaining. Matthew Stafford connected with tight end Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard touchdown, giving Los Angeles a 34-31 lead that it held through the final seconds.
What Happened in the January 2026 Playoff Game?
First Half
Los Angeles opened the game with a touchdown from Puka Nacua on a 14-yard reception from Stafford. Nacua later scored again on a five-yard rushing play, giving the Rams a 14-0 advantage.
Carolina responded with a Chuba Hubbard rushing touchdown. After another Rams field goal, Bryce Young added a 16-yard rushing touchdown for the Panthers. Los Angeles went into halftime with a narrow 17-14 lead.
Second Half
The third quarter was close. Carolina tied the game at 17-17 with a field goal, while the Rams answered with another field goal to move ahead 20-17.
The fourth quarter produced most of the late drama. Hubbard gave Carolina a 24-20 lead with a three-yard rushing touchdown. Stafford then found Kyren Williams for a 13-yard touchdown, putting Los Angeles back in front 27-24.
Carolina answered again. Bryce Young connected with Jalen Coker for a seven-yard touchdown, giving the Panthers a 31-27 lead.
The Rams then produced the decisive drive. Stafford found Parkinson for the 19-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining, and Los Angeles finished with the 34-31 victory.
Rams vs Panthers Box Score and Key Stats
| Statistic | Rams | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 34 | 31 |
| Total yards | 411 | 333 |
| Passing yards | 295 | 250 |
| Rushing yards | 116 | 83 |
| First downs | 21 | 21 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Third-down efficiency | 3/13 | 5/12 |
| Red-zone efficiency | 4/5 | 4/4 |
| Time of possession | 31:46 | 28:14 |
The numbers show how competitive the game was. Both teams produced 21 first downs, but Los Angeles finished with more total yards and committed one fewer turnover.
Stafford completed 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Bryce Young completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Puka Nacua was one of the Rams’ biggest offensive contributors, finishing with 10 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown while also adding a rushing score.
The Earlier 2025 Regular Season Meeting
The January playoff game was especially significant because the Rams and Panthers had already met during the 2025 regular season.
On November 30, 2025, Carolina defeated Los Angeles 31-28 at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers entered that game as a 6-6 team, while the Rams were 9-2 and riding a six-game winning streak, according to NFL’s game preview.
Carolina’s defense forced several costly mistakes from Stafford. The Rams quarterback threw two interceptions and also lost a fumble in the regular-season meeting. One of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown.
That result set up an unusual situation: the same two teams returned to Charlotte for the Wild Card round only several weeks later.
The Rams reversed the result in the postseason, winning 34-31 and advancing to the divisional round.
Rams vs Panthers Head-to-Head History
The Rams and Panthers have met 25 times, including two postseason games. Carolina leads the all-time series 14-11.
The recent meetings include:
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Jan. 10, 2026 | Rams 34, Panthers 31 |
| Nov. 30, 2025 | Panthers 31, Rams 28 |
| Oct. 16, 2022 | Rams 24, Panthers 10 |
| Sept. 8, 2019 | Rams 30, Panthers 27 |
The January 2026 Wild Card game was the second postseason meeting between the franchises.
Are the Rams and Panthers Playing in the 2026 Regular Season?
No Rams-Panthers game appears on the currently published 2026 NFL regular-season schedules.
The Rams’ 2026 schedule includes opponents such as the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and other teams. Carolina’s schedule contains its own NFC South and interconference opponents, but Los Angeles is not listed as a 2026 regular-season opponent.
That means searches for “Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers 2026” can be confusing because the teams did meet in January 2026, but that game belonged to the postseason of the 2025 NFL season.
For historical or score-related searches, the January 10 Wild Card game is therefore the most relevant matchup.
Rams vs Panthers: Key Players to Know
Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford was central to the Rams’ playoff victory. He threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns, including the late game-winning touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson.
Bryce Young
Bryce Young produced 264 passing yards and scored a rushing touchdown in the Wild Card game. He also threw a touchdown pass to Jalen Coker during Carolina’s fourth-quarter comeback.
Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams
Nacua led the Rams with 111 receiving yards and scored twice, while Kyren Williams contributed 57 rushing yards and caught a touchdown pass.
Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard scored two rushing touchdowns in the playoff matchup, helping Carolina stay within reach after falling behind 14-0 early in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Rams vs Panthers?
The Los Angeles Rams won the latest Rams vs Panthers matchup, defeating Carolina 34-31 in the NFC Wild Card round on January 10, 2026. The game was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
What was the Rams vs Panthers playoff score?
The final score was Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31. The Rams scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including the late touchdown that put them ahead for good.
How many times have the Rams and Panthers played?
The teams have played 25 times, including two playoff games. Carolina leads the all-time series 14-11.
Are the Rams and Panthers playing each other in 2026?
They are not currently scheduled to meet during the 2026 regular season. Their most recent meeting was the January 10, 2026 NFC Wild Card game, which was part of the 2025 NFL season.
Where was the Rams vs Panthers playoff game played?
The January 10, 2026 Wild Card game was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Panthers’ home stadium.
Conclusion
The latest Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers matchup produced one of the closest games between the teams in recent years. Los Angeles won the January 10, 2026 Wild Card game 34-31, overcoming Carolina’s late fourth-quarter lead with a decisive touchdown from Matthew Stafford to Colby Parkinson.
The playoff meeting also completed a notable two-game sequence. Carolina had beaten Los Angeles 31-28 during the 2025 regular season, but the Rams won the postseason rematch. With no Rams-Panthers game on the published 2026 regular-season schedule, the January playoff matchup remains the key recent result for anyone researching this matchup.
I am Stephen King an American writer exploring spirituality, dreams, mindfulness, and personal growth. Through SpiritualDreamz.com, he shares thoughtful insights to inspire reflection, clarity, and meaningful everyday living.
