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The Carolina Panthers were on the cusp of pulling off an improbable upset against the heavily favored Los Angeles Rams in Saturday’s Wild Card clash. Carolina took a 31-27 lead with under three minutes remaining. But Los Angeles answered with a seven-play, 71-yard season-saving drive. And Matthew Stafford delivered the game-winning touchdown to Colby Parkinson.
After the Panthers’ heartbreaking loss, Dave Canales was asked why he chose to play “soft coverage prevent defense” against Stafford during the final drive.
“He made a couple of nice plays when we pressured him,” Canales explained, per FOX Sports Radio’s Sheena Quick. “I thought we did a good job of mixing in general. Had a really good plan for trying to get pressure on him early on. And then they picked up the blitzes and he hurt us a couple of times over the middle on some third downs. So we had to play a little bit more coverage right there.”
WOW!
Matthew Stafford with a DOT to Colby Parkinson for the lead taking TD
pic.twitter.com/S3xFIIIgbQ— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 11, 2026
The Rams jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter but Carolina clawed its way back into the game. The Panthers narrowed the lead to 17-14 at halftime with two second-quarter touchdown drives.
The Rams struggled against an aggressive Panthers defense in the second half, allowing Carolina to tie the score and eventually take the lead. But the floodgates opened late in the game. The teams combined for 28 points in a wild fourth quarter that saw four lead changes.
A blocked punt set the Panthers up with excellent field position with just over four minutes remaining. And Bryce Young capitalized on the standout special teams play, finding Jalen Coker for a seven-yard score that put Carolina up 31-27.
The Rams needed a touchdown and Stafford took advantage of the Panthers’ prevent look. The MVP frontrunner went 6-7 for 71 yards and a touchdown on LA’s season-saving drive. But while Canales received criticism for Carolina’s defense on the Rams’ final possession, it’s hard to find fault with Tre’von Moehrig’s coverage.
The veteran safety was all over Parkinson on the game-winning touchdown pass. Stafford simply threw the ball where only his receiver could catch it. It’s a prime example of a great throw beating great coverage. And another reminder of Stafford’s MVP-worthy season.
The post Dave Canales explains questionable defense vs. Matthew Stafford on Rams’ go-ahead drive appeared first on ClutchPoints.
