CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Rams (9-3) fell to the Panthers 31-28 on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Untimely turnovers, one offensive possession in the third quarter, and an uncharacteristic performance by Los Angeles’ defense both had a hand in the loss.
Reaching the Carolina 22 trailing 31-28 with 2:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles lost the ball after quarterback Matthew Stafford was strip-sacked and Carolina (7-6) recovered, returning the fumble 20 yards to its own 49. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Carolina’s sideline moved the ball back 15 yards to their own 34.
Armed with two timeouts and the two-minute warning, L.A. had a chance to get the ball back, but Panthers quarterback Bryce Young’s 10-yard completion to wide receiver Jalen Coker on 3rd and 5 from from the Panthers 39 just before the two minute warning effectively sealed the game, as the Rams had burned both of their timeouts by that point.
Running back Kyren Williams left the game late in the first half with an ankle injury and was initially questionable to return before re-entering the game on their first offensive series of the second half. He and running back Blake Corum each rushed for one touchdown, and collectively carried the ball 20 times for 153 yards.
Stafford finished 18 of 28 passing for 243 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions in addition to the lost fumble.
Defensively, the Rams allowed 164 yards on the ground to the Panthers, their second-most allowed in a single game this season behind 179 by the Rams in Week 6.
Here is the complete game recap, presented by Bob’s Discount Furniture:
Thanks to a Ronnie Rivers kickoff return to midfield and ensuing 15-yard penalty against the Panthers, the Rams began the first drive at the Panthers 35. They capitalized with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Davante Adams to take an early 7-0 lead.
