Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers Prediction — Wild Card Rematch Loaded with Payback Potential

The NFL playoffs kick off with a rematch that carries tons more weight than the last time these teams met. The Los Angeles Rams are heading to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers in a Wild Card round game this Saturday at 3:30 PM ET. It’s a chance at redemption for the Rams, who were edged out by the Panthers in Week 13 at 31-28. But this time, a playoff spot is on the line, and Los Angeles looks like they’re ready for some payback.

The Rams dropped that first matchup 31-28, giving up 4 massive plays and losing the turnover battle, but they’ve since tightened up their game, won 3 of their last 5, and come into the playoffs as the NFC’s #5 seed. The Panthers, on the other hand, squeaked into the playoffs at 8-9 and have lost 2 of their last 3 games. Sure, they’re at home, but they’re doing so as heavy underdogs — and for good reason when you break it down.

Game Details

This one kicks off at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, January 10th, from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The weather looks like it’s going to be perfect with clear skies and temperatures around 68 degrees. If you’re not enjoying this weather and watching from the stands, the game will air nationally on FOX.

Rams vs Panthers Odds — Los Angeles Favored Big

The bookmakers have Los Angeles as a 10-point road favorite, by far the largest spread on Wild Card weekend. The over/under sits at 46.5, with the Rams priced around -550 on the moneyline and the Panthers at +410. That’s a surprisingly wide gap, especially for a playoff game, but the market simply highlights what the numbers already show — this is a mismatch on paper.

Matchup Breakdown — Rams’ Offense vs Panthers’ Grit

Offensively, it’s not even close. The Rams rank 1st in the NFL in PPG at 30.5 and are 2nd in both total yards and passing yards. When you see the names associated with those numbers, it’s easy to see why. Matthew Stafford has been sharp all season with an insane 4,707 yards, 46 TDs, and only 8 picks. He protects the ball better than anyone and spreads it around. Kyren Williams adds balance with 1,250+ rushing yards and 10 TDs, while Puka Nacua has emerged as one of the league’s best wideouts, finishing with an eye-watering 1,715 yards and 10 TDs. This team arguably has the best offense in the league.

The Panthers, by comparison, are near the bottom in every offensive category. They average just 18.3 PPG and sit 27th in total and passing yards. Of course, Bryce Young has shown flashes with 3,011 yards and 23 TDs, but Carolina’s offense often stalls when forced into 3rd-and-long. Rico Dowdle and Terrace McMillan are decent weapons, but the group lacks the explosive consistency to remain competitive in the NFL playoffs.

That said, Carolina did manage to surprise everyone and burn the Rams for 4 big plays in Week 13, including 2 4th-down TDs and a 48-yard pick-6. But that performance was more about what the Rams didn’t do more than anything the Panthers did — missed tackles, blown assignments, and turnovers. You can bet they’re working on the little things this week to address those issues.

On the defensive side, both teams are right in the middle of the pack. The Rams allow 20.4 PPG, while Carolina gives up 22.4. Total yards allowed are nearly identical, but LA has the edge in pressure and disruption. They’ve racked up 47 sacks, compared to Carolina’s 30. Byron Young leads the Rams with 12 sacks, and Ernest Landman has piled up 132 tackles of his own. They’re getting back Quentin Lake, a key secondary piece who missed the first matchup. He should help plug some of the gaps that led to big plays last time. Even though they’re not great, it looks like there’s a slight advantage to the Rams on defense.

The Panthers have decent numbers against the pass but struggle against the run, ranking 20th in rushing yards allowed. That’s a problem against a Rams team that runs for 126+ YPG and isn’t afraid to pound the rock to wear teams down. After all, they have plenty of options. Davante Adams is also expected back, adding a red zone threat and vertical option that Stafford didn’t have last time, and simply another key component that the Panthers will need to account for.

What’s Different Since Week 13?

In the first meeting, the Rams played one of their worst defensive games of the season, and it shocked everyone. They allowed long TD plays on 4th down, a pick-6, and couldn’t stop the run on 1st down, putting themselves behind the sticks all afternoon. It was very uncharacteristic of them. Carolina undoubtedly took advantage, converting 7-of-15 on 3rd down and going a perfect 3-of-3 on 4th.

This time around, however, the Rams know what’s coming. McVay said after that loss, he expected Carolina to run often on early downs — and they did — but the Rams didn’t adjust. We expect a much different approach this week, especially with Lake back in the secondary and the defensive front healthier.

The Rams have also added TE Terrance Ferguson back into the mix and could get Kevin Dotson back on the offensive line. They’re healthier, deeper, and playing with urgency now that we’re in the full swing of the playoffs.

Since that loss, the Rams have beaten Detroit, taken the #1 seed Seattle to OT, and finished the season with a 37-20 win over Arizona. They’ve only 2 losses since Week 13 came by a combined 8 points. Things are looking up for them.

Carolina, on the other hand, finished the season with a 16-14 home loss to the Bucs to seal their fate in the Wild Card. They managed just 14 points in a game they had to win to gain momentum. That doesn’t inspire much confidence heading into the postseason, where each game could potentially close out their season.

Prediction — Rams Make a Statement

Let’s be honest — the first meeting was fluky. Normally, we would consider that game a bit more, but in reality, the Rams made uncharacteristic mistakes, and the Panthers took advantage. But it’s tough to count on repeat breakdowns — especially from a playoff-tested team like LA. Stafford rarely has back-to-back off games, and McVay rarely gets outcoached twice by the same team. It’s just not happening like that.

We expect the Rams to come out sharp, establish the run early with Williams, and mix in play-action shots to Nacua and Adams to destabilize the defense. Carolina will need another near-perfect game to hang around, but you can bet that lightning won’t strike twice. If the Rams protect the ball, this won’t even be close.

• Prediction: Rams 34, Panthers 20
• Best Bet: Rams -10

There’s always some risk with a big spread in the playoffs, but this matchup screams double-digit win, and even the bookmakers are calling it. Los Angeles is healthier, deeper, and better on both sides of the ball. The revenge angle adds even more fuel to the fire. Lay the points and back the Rams to cover and advance to the next round.