Turf Show Times
The opening game of the NFL playoffs is usually a bloodbath. The Los Angeles Rams were 10.5-point favorites over the Carolina Panthers coming into Saturday, and the game was much closer than anyone could have realistically expected.
Bryce Young hit Jalen Coker in the end zone to give Carolina a late four-point lead. Matthew Stafford effortlessly led a game-winning drive that was capped off by a 19-yard touchdown to Colby Parkinson.
The pass rush came alive with roughly 30 seconds left on the clock. The Panthers went four-and-out to end regulation. Ball game. Rams won 34-31.
LA advances to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. There are five games remaining that will decide who they face next week.
As we wait for the bracket to fall into place, let’s dive deep into this game and the individuals who helped determine the final outcome.
LA’s first possession of the game easily resulted in a touchdown. Every single play went to Puka Nacua. The star receiver also scored the Rams’ second touchdown that came early in the second quarter. He dominated the start of the game, although the passing attack was much less lethal until late into the fourth.
Nacua finished with with 10 receptions on 18 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown. He also added three rushes for 14 yards on the ground. This was easily his lowest catch rate on the season, though he was working against a very talented Carolina corner duo.
Perhaps the single-most important play Nacua made on Saturday evening—and it won’t be reflected in the stat sheet—was his breakup of a potential interception late in the second half. Nacua turned an interception into an incomplete pass on third down. The Rams rushed Kyren Williams for a first down on the next play, and Williams later capped the drive with a touchdown. This was a major turning point in the game and will be remembered as a “what if?” moment on the Panthers side.
Young flushed Bryce Young out of the pocket early for a sack that was finished off by Braden Fiske. The pass rush was overall consistent but not always impactful. The Rams finished with a pressure rate of 41% according to SumerSports.
But with the final outcome in the balance, Young stepped up to single handily derail Carolina’s comeback attempt. He fired off the ball on the first three plays and Bryce Young was running for his life. His throws had minimal likelihood of being completed, though the fourth down pass was dropped and would have converted a first down.
Young’s performance with the game on the long was somewhat reminiscent of how Aaron Donald used to come through in the biggest moments.
There was a lot to like about Matthew Stafford’s performance. He started the game on an absolute tear and completed at least his first eight passes. It looked too easy.
Stafford hit...
