‘Total team effort’
Matthew Stafford spoke after the Los Angeles Rams’ comeback win over the Carolina Panthers to advance to the NFC Divisional Round.
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Matthew Stafford learned of his first-ever first-team All-Pro selection on Saturday.
Several hours later, Stafford jogged onto the field in Charlotte shortly before the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers opened this year’s NFL postseason.
Stafford, an NFL MVP candidate, went on to engineer two scores in the fourth quarter to rally for a 34-31 victory. The wild-card round win also earned the Rams a ticket to next week’s NFC divisional round.
While the Rams were the favorites entering Saturday’s game, it took a 19-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Colby Parkinson in the game’s final minute to seal the win.
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Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson catches a 19-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of an NFC Wild Card game at Bank of America Stadium, Saturday, in Charlotte, NC (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
After a quick start, Stafford appeared to injure a finger on his throwing hand before halftime. The Rams were nursing a slim three-point lead as both teams went to their respective locker rooms at the end of the second quarter.
RAMS’ MATTHEW STAFFORD NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-PRO QUARTERBACK OVER PATRIOTS’ DRAKE MAYE AMID HEATED MVP RACE
The Panthers and Rams traded field goals in the third quarter to preserve Los Angeles’ narrow lead heading into the game’s final frame. The third quarter was highlighted by Stafford’s lone interception of the afternoon.
Bank of America Stadium Saturday in Charlotte, NC (David Jensen/Getty Images)
Bryce Young’s touchdown pass to Jalen Coker put the Panthers ahead 31-27 with less than three minutes left, but Stafford drove the Rams 71 yards in two minutes. The drive was capped by Parkinson’s tightrope catch for the winning score, and the defense held.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Rams are back in the divisional round for the second straight season. Last year, they were 13 yards away from eliminating Philadelphia before a sack and an incomplete pass ended their season in a 28-22 loss.
The Rams now await the rest of the wildcard round results to find out who they will face in the divisional round.
