Rams vs. Panthers wild-card score, live updates: Bryce Young looks to upset MVP favorite Matthew Stafford once more in 2025
- - Rams vs. Panthers wild-card score, live updates: Bryce Young looks to upset MVP favorite Matthew Stafford once more in 2025
Yahoo Sports Staff January 11, 2026 at 4:25 AM
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NFL wild-card weekend kicks off with a battle between the Los Angeles Rams and NFC South champion Carolina Panthers. The Rams could have avoided the wild-card round altogether, but a 1-2 finish to the season has them as the No. 5 seed heading to Charlotte. Carolina needed help from Atlanta to clinch the division, but they are in and much improved since last season.
The Rams come into this playoff game as one of the favorites out of the NFC, led by MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. This Rams’ offense has been explosive even in losses this season, behind Stafford’s 46 touchdown passes, 4,707 yards and 276.9 yards per game, all of which led the NFL. L.A. will also have wide receiver Davante Adams back on the field for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in mid-December.
Carolina comes in with a losing record (8-9) in the regular season, but will host since they won the division. The Panthers are playing with house money, as nobody outside of Charlotte expects much from this team in the postseason. Third-year quarterback Bryce Young took a step forward in his progression, completing the best season of his career thus far. The Panthers upset the visiting Rams 31-28 on Nov. 30 as Young tossed three TDs and Carolina turned over Stafford three times. If Carolina can’t figure out how to slow down this Rams offense, it could be a long day.
How to watch Rams vs. Panthers wild-card matchup
Rams-Panthers start time: 4:30 p.m. ETLocation: Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, N.C.TV channel, live stream: Fox, NFL+
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Carolina Panthers host the Los Angeles Rams to kick off wild-card weekend.
Live2 updates -
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 4:15 AM GMT+8Chris CwikDavante Adams to return from hamstring injury in time for wild-card game against Panthers
Despite missing the last three games of the regular season, Los Angeles Rams wideout Davante Adams still led the NFL in touchdown catches. Adams hauled in 14 scores, thanks to his elite route-running ability and Matthew Stafford's trust in the veteran receiver.
But as the regular season came to a close, questions emerged regarding Adams' availability for the playoffs. After missing three games with a hamstring injury, it was unclear whether Adams would be able to return when the team faced the Carolina Panthers in the wild-card round.
Rams head coach Sean McVay put those worries to rest Monday, however, announcing Adams is expected to face the Panthers on Saturday. He is officially active.
McVay admitted Adams probably could have returned to action in Week 18, but the team took a cautious approach with the 33-year-old wideout, per ESPN.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 4:08 AM GMT+8Kate MagdziukRams, Panthers announce wild-card inactives
With less than 90 minutes remaining until the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers kick off the wild-card round on Saturday afternoon, each team has announced its inactives for gameday:
Here’s a look:
Rams inactives -
TE Terrance Ferguson
OL Kevin Dotson
CB Josh Wallace
CB Derion Kendrick
CB Darious Williams
WR Jordan Whittington
Panthers inactives -
LB Krys Barnes
C Nick Samac
DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
WR David Moore
DE LaBryan Ray
Source: “AOL Sports”
