Panthers Shock Rams in Wild 31-28 Rain-Soaked Thriller
What happened in Charlotte felt like one of those games people will still be talking about weeks from now. The Panthers, coming off a rough outing on a short week and facing a Rams team that had been playing some of the cleanest football in the league, somehow turned the whole thing upside down. And it wasn’t just one thing—everything that usually doesn’t happen against the Rams happened, all at once.
Carolina came out with an attitude shift you could feel immediately. After barely running the ball the week before, they suddenly leaned into the ground game with purpose. Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle combined for 35 carries, and that steady commitment completely changed the rhythm of the offense. Hubbard chipped in 83 rushing yards and even hauled in a 35-yard touchdown. Dowdle added 58 more on the ground, helping the Panthers dictate tempo in a way they simply hadn’t been able to recently.
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But the biggest spark came from Bryce Young, who put together one of those rebound performances he’s shown flashes of throughout the season. He didn’t just manage the game—he took risks, and they paid off. Young completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, including two bold fourth-down scoring strikes. A 33-yard bomb to Jalen Coker and a 43-yard shot to Tetairoa McMillan reminded everyone why he’s trusted in clutch moments. And once again, he delivered a game-winning drive—his 11th since 2023, more than any quarterback in that span.
The Rams weren’t exactly quiet in this one. Matthew Stafford opened strong, connecting early with Davante Adams and later adding another touchdown to tie things up. Their run game burst to life too, with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combining for 153 yards and two scores. But the Panthers defense did what almost no one has done this season: they took the ball away from Stafford multiple times. His first interception came in the red zone; his second was taken 48 yards the other way for a Mike Jackson pick-six. Considering Stafford entered the game with only two interceptions all year, this was as surprising as it gets.
The final blow came late. With the Rams driving inside the Carolina 25 and trailing by three, Derrick Brown knocked the ball free from Stafford, and D.J. Wonnum scooped it up. Even after a penalty moved Carolina back, Young delivered the dagger—a simple third-and-five completion to Coker that allowed the Panthers to run out the clock.
And just like that, a drenched Bank of America Stadium witnessed the Panthers push their record to 7-6 heading into a much-needed bye, while the Rams saw their six-game win streak snapped in dramatic fashion.
A stunning upset, a gritty performance, and enough plot twists for an entire week of conversation.
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