The Panthers vs. the Rams, Part Deux

The Panthers have done it. Despite their best efforts—and a little help from the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers are the 2025 NFC South Division Champions. With an 8-9 record, this young team has grown up fast, learning hard lessons through wins, losses, and the chaos that comes with a developing roster.

Now, they face the Los Angeles Rams at home in the first round of the playoffs. The stakes are high. The margin for error is razor-thin. This isn’t Week 13 anymore—it’s the postseason. There is no tomorrow for the loser.

The Panthers vs. the Rams, Part Deux

How the Panthers Can Beat the Rams Again

Beating the Rams once was impressive. Doing it again, in the playoffs, is a different animal. The Rams will not take Carolina lightly, and Carolina can’t win by simply “playing the numbers”—the numbers don’t support that approach.

The team’s efficiency issues remain, but discipline, opportunism, and aggression are what will keep them competitive.

Third Downs Have to Be Better. Period.

Carolina converted just 37% of third downs this season. That won’t cut it in the playoffs. Last week against the Bucs, the Panthers went 1-for-11 on third down. There are multiple solutions to fix this problem, and it starts on first and second down.

Good third-down teams are good on early downs. For the Panthers, that means quick passes that lean on Bryce Young’s decision-making and allow playmakers on the edges to create after the catch. In Week 13, Carolina had success extending drives in key moments. That also requires Young to use his legs when pressured. This season, he has 16 first downs on scrambles and two touchdowns. Bryce ranks 14th in rushing attempts among quarterbacks—not a volume runner, but effective at moving the chains.

Short drives equal more Stafford-led scoring opportunities. Sustaining drives is the difference between a one-score game late and a blowout.

Creativity for the Offense and the Run Game, Even If It’s Ugly

The flea-flicker attempt against the Bucs was poorly timed, but understandable, given the matchup Carolina felt it could take advantage of. That type of creativity can support the Panthers’ greatest strength: the run game.

Carolina finished the regular season top-10 in rushing yards, despite ranking bottom-10 in total offense and yards per play. Creative run concepts also put pressure on a very good Rams defense. While the Rams rank 12th against the run and 19th against the pass, their DVOA tells a different story—top five overall, with third against the pass and fifth against the run.

The Rams’ defense is disciplined, but it can be exposed by Carolina’s big receivers and clever misdirection, especially if the weather becomes a factor. Carolina’s wideouts are long, athletic, and physical, and they can create matchup problems against the Rams’ two young corners.

Explosive runs aren’t required. Consistent three-to-five yard gains, manageable second and third downs, and patience are the keys. If the run game falters, Carolina cannot abandon it—they must adjust it.

Force Stafford to Be Human Again

Against Atlanta, Stafford threw three interceptions and still nearly led a comeback drive. The Panthers know him well and understand he’s willing to put the ball in harm’s way. With Davante Adams still questionable for Saturday, the Rams’ offensive weapons may be shorthanded.

Disguising coverages alone won’t be enough. A consistent pass rush must disrupt Stafford’s timing and comfort level. It doesn’t need to dominate—it needs to affect passing lanes and make Stafford feel pressure. Derrick Brown leads the league in batted passes, and Nic Scourton is emerging as one of the team’s top players at generating hurries.

The secondary will disguise coverages and capitalize on mistakes. The Rams’ receiving group is talented and experienced, so Carolina won’t lock them down all game. But a couple of momentum-changing turnovers could tilt this playoff matchup in the Panthers’ favor.

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