Turf Show Times
QBs: The Rams have Matthew Stafford, the frontrunner for MVP. He led the NFL in passing yards (4707) and passing touchdowns (46). He had two games in 2025 that made him look human… Week 13 at Carolina and Week 17 @ Atlanta.
The Panthers will rely on Bryce Young in his first taste of playoff football. Young (PFF: 70.5) had an up and down season in his third year. He’ll have to make plays with his legs to keep the Panthers alive.
Advantage: Rams (moderate)
RBs: Kyren Williams (1252 yards / 10 TDs) and Blake Corum (746 yards / 6 TDs) came two yards shy of producing 2000 yards rushing. The duo were both efficient in their last meeting at Carolina. I expect Corum to get involved significantly if his ankle is healthy enough.
Carolina’s duo of Rico Dowdle (1076 yards / 6 TDs) and Chuba Hubbard (511 yards / 1 TD) are solid runners as well. Both serve as safety valves for Bryce Young in the passing game too.
Advantage: Push
WRs: Puka Nacua and Davante Adams essentially ran away with the triple crown for NFL receiving. Nacua didn’t have the most receiving yards but his yards/game led the field over Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Adams will return to the lineup after aggravating his hamstring against Detroit. As for the rest of the depth chart. Tutu Atwell, Xavier Smith, and Konata Mumpfield will serve as the WR3 when the Rams use 11 personnel.
Tetairoa McMillan was Young’s favorite target this season, nearly catching twice as many passes as Xavier Legette. Jalen Coker will be CAR’s WR3.
Advantage: Rams (significant)
TEs: 2025 was the most successful season for the Rams tight end room. Colby Parkinson recorded 8 touchdowns, while Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and Terrance Ferguson each added 3 a piece. The group should be fully healthy now that Higbee has returned and with Ferguson expected to play Saturday (hamstring).
Carolina’s tight ends are Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders. Both players average 14.6 yards/game.
Advantage: Rams (significant)
OL: My answer to this one largely depends on the status of Kevin Dotson. I’m not encouraged to know that it is not an outright, definitive answer that he is going to play. Justin Dedich is scheduled to fill in again at right guard if he can’t go. Dedich is very undersized for the guard position and would create a significant advantage for Carolina’s interior defensive linemen.
Carolina has one of the most underrated offensive lines featuring: Ekwonu-Lewis-Mays-Corbett-Moton. The Panthers offensive line is “filled out”.
Advantage: Push (if Dotson plays) or Panthers (moderate if Dotson is out)
DL: Poona Ford is the man to watch in these playoffs for the Rams. He will be asked to lead the charge in stopping the run. In Week 13, he was bothered with a calf injury. He appears to be healthier now. Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner will be called upon to rush the passer. The Rams may need some of their depth to step up, Tyler Davis...
