After a hot start against the Carolina Panthers in Saturday’s Wild Card showdown, the Los Angeles Rams struggled. Carolina came roaring back against the Rams’ 10th-ranked scoring defense, taking a four-point lead late in the game. But Los Angeles would answer with a season-saving drive as Matthew Stafford delivered the go-ahead TD.
Before leading the Rams on the seven-play, 71-yard game-winning drive, Stafford offered some cold-blooded encouragement. And the veteran quarterback’s confidence stuck with Davante Adams.
“I think he said, ‘Let’s go snatch these guys’ hearts.’ That was pretty cold,” Adams said, per FOX Sports: NFL. “I thought that was one of the most gangster things you could say in that moment, honestly. And to hear him say that and the look on his face. And then to throw the touchdown and the look on his face after that, it was just like, MVP stuff.”
Matthew Stafford snatches hearts on Rams’ game-winning drive
The 12-5 Rams were expected to dominate the 8-9 Panthers in the Wild Card round. But after Los Angeles took a 14-0 lead early in the first half, Carolina’s defense tightened. The Rams were held out of the end zone until midway through the fourth quarter.
Adams gave the Rams a scare when he got blown up by Nick Scott in the second half. Stafford found the veteran wideout down the sideline on 3rd & 5. But before he could make the catch, Scott broke up the pass with a vicious hit. However, the Panthers safety made helmet-to-helmet contact and was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Adams was evaluated for a concussion but he was quickly cleared to return. He had five receptions for 72 yards in the Wild Card matchup.
The teams traded field goals in the third quarter before combining for 28 points and four lead changes in the final 15 minutes. A blocked punt set the Panthers up with excellent starting field position. And Carolina capitalized when Bryce Young found Jalen Coker for the go-ahead touchdown.
But the Rams had over two and a half minutes to work with. Stafford led Los Angeles on a clutch drive, going 6-7 for 71 yards and snatching the Panthers’ hearts with the game-winning score.
