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Rams vs. Panthers live score, updates, highlights from NFL wild-card playoff game

January 10, 2026
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Rams vs. Panthers live score, updates, highlights from NFL wild-card playoff game originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The NFL wild-card playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers is set to be the ultimate clash of narratives: a bona fide championship contender facing a Cinderella team that rode a thin margin and an opportune division title into the playoffs. The Rams, finishing the regular season at 12-5 and considered one of the NFL’s elite, bring with them an offensive firepower that has been unstoppable for most of the year. They enter Charlotte as heavy favorites, carrying the weight of massive expectations on their Super Bowl-experienced roster.

At the center of the Rams’ machine is quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has pieced together his best season of his 17 years in the NFL. The 37-year-old veteran has been an absolute statistical marvel, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns with an astounding 4,707 yards and a career-best 46 touchdowns against only 12 interceptions. His incredible production and efficiency, highlighted by his league-leading passing grade on downfield throws, have placed him firmly in the conversation for the NFL MVP award. For Stafford, this postseason run is the next step in solidifying a legacy that continues to climb.

Standing opposite the juggernaut Rams are the Carolina Panthers, who clinched the NFC South with a sub-.500 record, landing them in the playoffs at 8-9. Their journey was characterized by grit and opportunism, including a signature 31-28 upset victory over these very Rams in Week 13. While they limped into the postseason with a two-game losing streak, they are fueled by the energy of a fanbase that hasn’t seen a home playoff game in over a decade. The Panthers represent the quintessential underdog, benefiting from the NFL’s divisional structure to earn a shot at redemption.

The Panthers have the blueprint for beating Los Angeles, having forced two crucial Matthew Stafford interceptions and a late-game fumble in their Week 13 victory —a rare crack in the MVP-favorite’s armor. Carolina’s defense will need to replicate that aggressive, turnover-forcing performance against a Rams team that is now healthy and driven to correct the mid-season lapse that allowed the upset to happen in the first place.

This game presents a classic playoff scenario: the high-flying, heavily favored offense led by a potential MVP, versus the gritty, home-field underdog determined to prove their legitimacy. Will Stafford continue his career-peak season and march the Rams one step closer to another title, or will the Carolina Panthers summon the magic of their underdog status and deliver a shocking playoff knockout at Bank of America Stadium? The answer will define the opening weekend of the NFC bracket.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Rams vs. Panthers in the NFC wild-card round on Saturday. Follow below for complete results from the 2026 NFL playoff game.

STREAM: Watch Rams vs. Panthers live with Fubo (free trial)

Rams vs. Panthers score

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Rams vs. Panthers live updates, highlights from 2026 NFL wild-card playoff game

Rams 17, Panthers 7

5:33 p.m. FIELD GOAL: On 3rd & 3, Stafford throws up high to Adams on the right sideline, but Mike Jackson pushes him out of bounds.

It forces a 46-yard attempt from Harrison Mevis, who drills it right down the middle.

Los Angeles has a two-possession lead.

5:30 p.m.: After the two penalties, the Rams get all the yardage back and more. 

Stafford finds a wide open Tyler Higbee up the seam, who has a 36-yard reception and the Rams are inside the 40.

5:29 p.m.: Adams has his first catch of the game on Stafford’s seventh completion, but an offsides penalty on the offense draws it back.

Los Angeles has two straight penalties to set up a 2nd & 15.

Rams 14, Panthers 7

5:22 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: The Panthers get on the board.

A seven-play, 65-yard drive ends with a Hubbard one-yard score. The running back has a team-high six touches on the day as the Panthers make it 14-7 on his fifth touchdown of the season.

Los Angeles’ offense is up next with 8:32 remaining in the second.

5:21 p.m.: Young tries hitting Legette in the back of the end zone on third down, and while it comes up incomplete there’s a pass interference penalty on Durant.

It gives the Panthers a fresh set of downs and a chance to cut the lead in half.

5:20 p.m.: Young and Carolina’s receivers have been on point besides the interception, and now, they’re in the red zone for the first time.

Young once again hits McMillan on an in-breaking post, and it’s a 22-yard completion on his third reception of the game.

The Panthers have a 1st & goal.

5:18 p.m.: Carolina is across midfield fast, with Young rolling out left and finding Coker for a 15-yard gain.

The next play, Young drops back in a clean pocket and finds McMillan on a comeback route. This one goes for 14 yards down to the Rams 33.

Rams 14, Panthers 0

5:13 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Nacua has his second touchdown of the game.

The Rams finish off a seven-play, 48-yard drive with a screen pass to No. 12, who gets into the end zone before being brought down. It counts as a rushing touchdown with the pass going backwards.

Los Angeles is not messing around. And Nacua joins an exclusive club of Rams players.

5:11 p.m.: The Rams are at the 10, and it’s Nacua again. The receiver has five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown already.

It’s 1st & goal.

End of the first quarter: Rams 7, Panthers 0

5:07 p.m.: The Los Angeles offense keeps on churning.

Now, Stafford finds his tight end Colby Parkinson on a tight end screen, and he rumbles 15 yards all the way to the Carolina 26.

5:05 p.m.: The Panthers were driving until Los Angeles forces the first turnover of the game.

On 1st & 10, Carolina calls a pass play; Young targeted Coker over the middle of the field and it’s intercepted by Decobie Durant.

The Panthers had zero turnovers the first time these two teams played.

5:04 p.m.: Right after the first down, the Panthers are in Rams territory. Young quickly hits McMillan, who takes it 13 yards for another first down.

5:03 p.m.: Carolina continues to move the chains. This time, it comes on a 3rd & 6, with Young staying in the pocket but finding Tremble on a curl route.

4:58 p.m.: On 1st & 10, Young gets sacked for nine yards, putting Carolina near the end zone.

Though, after an 11-yard completion to Tommy Tremble, Young connects with Jalen Coker ahead of the sticks to move the chains.

4:53 p.m.: The Rams face their first third down of the game, and it’s a Stafford handoff to Kyren Williams. But, the back gets absolutely stuffed at the line.

Now, the teams have exchanged punts, and Carolina has it back for their third possession of the game.

4:51 p.m.: The Rams pick up right where they left off, with Nacua getting the first target of the second drive and going 12 yards for a first down.

4:49 p.m.: On 3rd & 9, Young tries to find McMillan down the left sideline but overthrows him. It forces the first punt of the game.

Los Angeles has the ball back, starting inside the 10-yard line.

4:44 p.m.: Carolina has their first first down of the day, with Chuba Hubbard taking a carry five yards to the Carolina 32. 

The next play, Hubbard takes a reception close to the marker, setting up a 2nd & short.

Rams 7, Panthers 0

4:39 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: The Rams strike fast and take the early lead in Carolina.

Stafford drops back and finds Nacua up the seam, who is open for a 14-yard score. It was his third catch of the drive and 11th touchdown of the season.

Los Angeles capitalizes on the short field and strikes first.

4:38 p.m.: The Rams’ first play is a first down, and it’s Stafford’s favorite target Nacua. It goes for 16 yards and the Rams are down to the Carolina 29.

4:37 p.m.: On the first set of downs, Carolina gets nine yards on three plays and comes up short of the first down marker. They decide to go for it on fourth down in their own territory, and Young’s pass falls incomplete.

The Rams take over and start the drive in Panthers territory.

4:34 p.m.: We are underway in Carolina.

Bryce Young and the home team Panthers have the ball first.

4:30 p.m.: There’s no better way to welcome playoff football back to Carolina than having Cam Newton back at Bank of America Stadium.

4:14 p.m.: When these teams played last time, Bryce Young threw three touchdowns and Matthew Stafford threw two interceptions as the Panthers upset the Rams.

What do the teams have in store this time?

3:57 p.m.: Matthew Stafford, at 37 years old, delivered the most prolific and efficient season of his career, putting him in contention to win his first ever MVP.

He finished the year as the NFL’s leader in both passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46), shattering the franchise’s record and guiding the Rams to an 12-5 playoff season.

3:41 p.m.: Some Rams fans have made the trip all the way east for Los Angeles’ opening playoff game.

A trip to San Francisco, the site of Super Bowl LX, is a much easier trip.

3:33 p.m.: Here’s what Joe Davis and Greg Olsen, the two in the broadcast booth, had to say about today’s matchup.

Olsen became the first Panthers tight end to put up three straight 1,000+ seasons. He’s not the only Carolina legend in the house.

3:17 p.m.: In his first season in the NFL, Tet McMillan became the most prolific rookie receiver in the NFL.

The No. 8 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft finished the regular season with 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.

3:07 p.m.: We’re getting closer in Carolina.

Will the Rams jumpstart their postseason run or will the Panthers pull off an all-time upset?

2:55 p.m.: Young has taken the field for warmups in a slightly rainy Carolina.

2:40 p.m.: The Rams are entering today’s contest as a historic favorite.

2:25 p.m.: Making his return today is wide receiver Davante Adams, who led all receivers with 14 touchdowns in the regular season.

Adams missed the final three games of the regular season with a hamstring injury.

2:07 p.m.: The heavily-favored Los Angeles Rams enter the playoffs with the league’s top scoring offense, and a huge reason behind that is receiver Puka Nacua.

Nacua led the NFL with 127 receptions, finished second with 1,715 yards and tallied 10 touchdowns.

2:06 p.m.: Quarterback Bryce Young has arrived for his first playoff start.

Young finished his third regular season with 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

2:02 p.m.: We are only a few hours away from kickoff of the first of six wild card games. Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina is ready to host its first playoff game in over a decade.

MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:

Where to watch Rams vs. Panthers

Rams vs. Panthers start time

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. PT

The Rams and Panthers will kick off the NFL Wild Card Round as the first of six games.

Kickoff will be at 4:30 p.m. ET, or 1:30 p.m. PT for the Los Angeles faithful, from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

What channel is Rams vs. Panthers on today?

  • TV channel: Fox
  • Live stream:Fubo

The Rams and Panthers game will be broadcast nationally on Fox. Play-by-play commentator Joe Davis is joined by Panthers legend Greg Olsen, who is the color analyst, in the booth, with Pam Oliver on the sidelines.

Those looking to stream the game can do so on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

NFL playoff schedule 2026

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 10

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
Rams at Panthers 4:30 p.m. Fox Fubo, Fox One
Packers at Bears 8:00 p.m. — Amazon Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 11

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
Bills at Jaguars 1:00 p.m. CBS Fubo, Paramount+
49ers at Eagles 4:30 p.m. Fox Fubo, Fox One
Chargers at Patriots 8:15 p.m. NBC Fubo, Peacock

Monday, Jan. 12

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
Texans at Steelers 8:15 p.m. ESPN, ABC Fubo, ESPN+

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 17

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
TBD vs. TBD 4:30 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo
TBD vs. TBD 8:15 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo

Sunday, Jan. 18

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
TBD vs. TBD 3:00 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo
TBD vs. TBD 6:30 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 25

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
AFC championship game 3:00 p.m. CBS Fubo, Paramount+
NFC championship game 6:30 p.m. Fox Fubo, Fox One

Super Bowl LX

Sunday, Feb. 8

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
TBD vs. TBD 6:30 p.m. NBC Fubo, Peacock
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