Bryce Young’s late-game heroics led the Carolina Panthers to a thrilling 31-28 win over the favored Los Angeles Rams, keeping their NFC playoff hopes alive.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β Quarterback Bryce Young hit Tetairoa McMillan for a 43-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to give the Carolina Panthers a dynamic shootout win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The touchdown pass came on a fourth down near midfield with around six minutes remaining. Defensive tackle Derrick Brown sacked Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on the ensuing drive, causing him to fumble. Carolina’s DJ Wonnum recovered, allowing the Panthers to seal the 31-28 win.
Los Angeles (9-3) visited Bank of America Stadium as 10-point favorites on a six-game winning streak, but the Panthers (7-6) fought hard on both sides of the ball to take the win and stay alive in the NFC playoff race.
“We have seen the Rams’ best football, and they’ve been playing amazing, and I said no one’s seen our best yet,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said after the game. “Our best football is still out there in front of us, and that’s our goal is to find it.”
Young’s game-winning score was preceded by another long fourth-down touchdown in the third quarter. He hit Jalen Coker over the top for a 33-yard touchdown to take the lead on the second half’s first drive.
Young finished 15 of 20 for 206 yards and three touchdowns. He suffered no major mistakes and led the Panthers to effective drives when it counted. He scored his 11th game-winning drive in the victory, becoming the youngest player in NFL history to do so.
“I trust my guys… I’m super grateful to have guys like that on the perimeter that I trust,” Young said after the win. “I trust them to win one-on-ones, trust them with 50/50 balls, trust them to throw them open, whatever it may be.”
Carolina shifted to a run-focused attack that helped the Panthers control time of possession. Chuba Hubbard had 83 yards rushing on 17 carries. Rico Dowdle had 58 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Los Angeles had an effective offense as usual, but mistakes by Stafford proved the difference. Stafford finished 18 of 243 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Carolina cornerback Mike Jackson returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown in the first quarter.
The win leaves the Panthers half a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South lead. Tampa Bay beat Arizona on Sunday. Carolina has a bye week in Week 14.