Key Highlights
- Instead, they needed some magic from Matthew Stafford,connecting with tight end Colby Parkinson on a magnificent passing TD in the last final minute to pull off a 34-31 win. Stafford's 54th career successful fourth-quarter comeback saved the day with the game-winning drive.
- As double-digit point favorites, however, there's no doubt the 12-5 Rams underachieved vs.
- the Panthers with several self-inflicted wounds. Stafford did throw a bad late third-quarter interception that helped put his team into a 24-20 early fourth-quarter hole.
- There also were a few big plays left on the table, critical missed connections with wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But those things happen, especially in windy conditions in outdoor playoff games.
- There are three issues, however, that the Rams would need to clean up if they plan on going deeper in a tough NFC field and making the conference championship game. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere's what Sean McVay must work on with his team most before next weekend:The Rams can't afford so many penalties againThis was a shocker to see.
