“A total team effort”
Matthew Stafford spoke after the Los Angeles Rams’ victory over the Carolina Panthers to advance to the NFC Divisional Round.
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Matthew Stafford learned of his first-ever first-team All-Pro selection on Saturday.
Several hours later, Stafford ran onto the field in Charlotte shortly before the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers opened this year’s NFL playoffs.
Stafford, an NFL MVP candidate, then put together two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to rally for a 34-31 victory. The wild-card round victory also gave the Rams a ticket to next week’s NFC divisional round.
While the Rams were the favorites for Saturday’s game, it took a 19-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Colby Parkinson in the final minute of the game to secure the victory.
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Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson catches a 19-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of an NFC Wild Card game at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
After a fast start, Stafford appeared to injure a finger on his throwing hand before halftime. The Rams held a slim three-point lead as both teams headed to their respective locker rooms late in the second quarter.
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The Panthers and Rams traded field goals in the third quarter to maintain Los Angeles’ narrow lead heading into the final quarter of the game. The third quarter featured Stafford’s only interception of the afternoon.
Bank of America Stadium Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina (David Jensen/Getty Images)
Bryce Young’s touchdown pass to Jalen Coker put the Panthers ahead 31-27 with less than three minutes to play, but Stafford drove the Rams 71 yards in two minutes. The drive was capped by Parkinson’s tightrope catch for the game-winning score, and the defense held firm.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Rams are back in the divisional round for the second straight season. Last year, they came within 13 yards of eliminating Philadelphia before a sack and incomplete pass ended their season with a 28-22 loss.
The Rams now await the remainder of the wild-card round results to find out who they will face in the divisional round.
