Following a two-game road trip, the Panthers return to Bank of America Stadium to face another former NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams. Holding an overall 12-10 series lead, the Panthers and Rams split their 14 division matchups, with each franchise sweeping the season series three times. Since the 2002 realignment, the Panthers hold a 5-3 advantage but have lost the last two meetings.
The Panthers enter the matchup after dropping their Monday Night game in San Francisco. This is third game against the NFC West this season, and their second of three over the final six weeks of the year (vs. Seattle in Week 17).
Los Angeles, after their win against Tampa Bay, continues their NFC South tour, with their third NFC South matchup in the last three weeks.
Sunday’s contest marks the 12th game in Carolina for the Rams, but only the second since they relocated to Los Angeles (2016). The Panthers hold a 6-5 edge in Carolina, while the Rams won 30-27 the last meeting on Kickoff Weekend in 2019. The last Panthers home win was 30-15 victory in 2013.
The teams met in the postseason once, a 29-23 two-overtime game won by the Panthers in St. Louis during the 2003 NFC Divisional Round. The game, one of just six 2OT games in NFL postseason history, was decided on a 69-yard touchdown from Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith on the first play of the second overtime.
The Matchup
About Carolina
- Under Head Coach Dave Canales, the Panthers have posted a 9-4 record (.692) in one-score games, tied for the fourth-best winning percentage in the league since 2024. Since becoming the Panthers head coach, Canales has gone 4-1 in overtime games, tied with Atlanta (1-4) for the most overtime games played since 2024. Only six teams (ATL, CAR, LAR & TB) have played at least three overtime games since 2024, with the other five going a combined 5-17 (.294) in those games.
- This season, the Panthers have just 5.33 penalties per game, tied for the second fewest per game in the league this season. Of those, only one penalty per game is committed by the defense, the fewest in the league.
- This season, the Panthers defense ranks eighth in red zone defense. On the season, the Panthers have allowed 20 touchdowns on 37 drives, a 54.1% efficiency.
- On the season, RB Rico Dowdle ranks tied for sixth in the league with 871 yards rushing, including a league-leading 788 yards since Week 5. Among players with at least 100 carries this season, Dowdle’s 5.0 yards per carry ranks seventh in the league, while his 18 explosive runs (12+ yards) are tied for fourth in the league.
- WR Tetairoa McMillan, the Panthers 2025 first-round pick (eighth overall), leads Carolina with 56 receptions for 783 yards, the most receiving yards and receptions by a rookie this season.
- Since 2024, his first season with the Panthers, CB Mike Jackson has totaled 29 passes defensed, tied for the most in the league over that span. He has registered at least one pass defensed in 21 of his 29 games played as a Panther.
About Los Angeles
- The Rams defense ranks first in coverage grade (90.5), defensive grade (89.7), second in run defense grade (84.6) and fourth in tackling grade (72.4).
- The Rams offense ranks first in offensive grade (91.7), passing grade (93.1), run blocking grade (88.3) and second in receiving grade (86.6).
- Through 11 games this season, QB Matthew Stafford has completed 248-of-373 passes for 2,830 yards and 30 touchdowns. Stafford leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (30), passing first downs (148) and passer rating (113.7).
- Through Week 12, Davante Adams has recorded 10 red zone touchdowns, ranks fourth in the NFL this season. Adams is also the only wide receiver in the top-five and one of two receivers in the top-10.
- WR Puka Nacua is first in drop grade (90.6) and second in offensive grade (93.5) as well as receiving grade (93.5) among all wide receivers (minimum of 20% targets).
- From 2020-2025, CB Darious Williams has the second-most pass breakups in the NFL (58). He’s also second in passes defended (73) and sixth in completions against as the primary defender (188).
- OLB Byron Young is seventh in the NFL in sacks (9.0), tied for ninth in quarterback hits (18) and tied for 12th in tackles for loss (nine).
Panthers vs Rams
How to Watch
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET FOX: Play-by-Play: Play-by-Play: Adam Amin; Analyst: Drew Brees; Sideline: Kristina Pink
Radio: WRFX 99.7FM in Charlotte market –Play-by-Play: Anish Shroff; Analysts: Luke Kuechly & Jake Delhomme; Sideline: Kristen Balboni
Per Release