Cat Scratch Reader
The 6-6 Carolina Panthers are looking to play spoiler this week when they host the 9-2 Los Angeles Rams. To gain a deeper understanding of what it’s like to root for a team that is “good” and has “a promising future,” I spoke with Evan Craig of Turf Show Times. The poor guy seems confident, not just against the Panthers, but in the Rams season as a whole.
Read on for an objective take on a how a competent team could meet the strength and weaknesses of our beloved Carolina Panthers. It’s a sobering look that gives a cleaner picture of the weekend than whatever actually will happen on Sunday when the Rams are introduced to the chaos blender that is the 2025 Panthers.
What’s it like trusting your team’s quarterback?
The Rams’ fan base should be extremely thankful that the front office made the bold move to acquire Matthew Stafford, because he was the only right choice to get the team over the Super Bowl hump. Outside of 2021, Stafford hasn’t put up staggering stats until this season, yet he has been a reliable veteran presence necessary for such a young team over the past three seasons. He can make all the throws since he has a firm belief in his passing ability, and why wouldn’t he? With him and Sean McVay practically sharing the same brain, the game flows more consistently, as they understand exactly what they want from each other. Trusting a quarterback like Stafford is easy, due to knowing that he’s been around the block and you don’t have to wonder what version of him you’re going to get on a given week.
Hopefully, the Panthers get to that level of trust with a QB one of these days, because the NFL is more fun when Carolina is competitive.
The Panthers aren’t currently known for having, uh, healthy defenders. Which Rams, besides Puka Nacua, are going to take most advantage of Carolina’s thin secondary?
Carolina’s depleted secondary is going to have their hands full with the red-hot Davante Adams on Sunday. Adams, signed by the Rams in free agency this offseason, has been a touchdown machine lately, with 9 of his league-leading 12 touchdown receptions coming in the last five games. The red zone is Davante Adams’ time. Adams is a major contributor to Matthew Stafford’s MVP-like campaign this season and is also a significant upgrade to the offense over the departed Cooper Kupp.
I’ll also throw in tight end Colby Parkinson, who is on a three-game touchdown streak, dating back to the second 49ers matchup. With Tyler Higbee injured, any of the TEs could step in, but Parkinson is realistically the best option to stand out, as much of his production this season has come within these past few weeks.
Bryce Young doesn’t do well out of structure, who are the most disruptive Rams defenders whose names we’ll be hearing a lot on Sunday?
Let’s go with two of the Rams’ most prized young defenders:...
