Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Panthers may be NFC's biggest sleeper following stunning upset over Rams

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 30, 2025 5:19 PM ET

Don't sleep on the Carolina Panthers if they make the playoffs.

On Sunday, the Panthers stunned the Los Angeles Rams in a 31-28 upset at home. The only other teams to beat the Rams (9-3) thus far are the San Francisco 49ers (9-4) and the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4).

The Eagles, of course, are the defending Super Bowl champions. With that in mind, Carolina's upset over L.A. may not be a fluke.

Why the Panthers could be a tough out if they make the playoffs

Following the win over the Rams, the Panthers are 7-6 and have captured three of their past five games. This stretch also included a 16-13 road upset over the Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) in Week 9.

With Carolina third-year quarterback Bryce Young making clutch plays, the team could keep gaining traction amid its late playoff push. Against the Rams, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan on a fourth-and-2 at L.A.'s 43-yard line. The score gave Carolina a 31-28 lead.

Tmac and the T is for Touchdown

Tetairoa McMillan x #ProBowlVote

: FOX pic.twitter.com/fN5tchb342
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 30, 2025

The late TD capped another solid day for Young. Against L.A., he finished 15-of-20 passing for 206 yards and three TD passes. Over his past five starts, the Alabama product has tossed seven TD passes and four interceptions, via StatMuse.

Defensively, Carolina looks decent. Entering Sunday, the Panthers ranked 13th in the league in points allowed (22.4). Against the Rams, the unit forced two key turnovers.

Early in the first quarter, Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw an interception to safety Nick Scott. On L.A.'s ensuing drive, the QB tossed a pick to Carolina cornerback Mike Jackson, who returned it for a 48-yard TD, giving the Panthers a 14-7 lead.

2 for 6

Mike Jackson x #ProBowlVote

: FOX pic.twitter.com/F3010HyoU3
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 30, 2025

Before Week 13, Stafford, a league MVP candidate, had played mistake-free. The 37-year-old QB hadn't thrown an interception since Week 3.

The upcoming weeks will be crucial for the Panthers and their playoff hopes. After a bye in Week 14, they'll face the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) in Weeks 16 and 18. Per The Athletic, Carolina's chances of making the postseason would increase from 30 to 94% if it wins both of these matchups.

The win over the Rams shows the Panthers could certainly navigate the key stretch and make the playoffs. And if Carolina reaches the postseason, who knows what could happen? The team is suddenly looking like a much tougher out.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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