The Carolina Panthers are playing at home against the Los Angeles Rams to open up the NFC Wild Card Round. Nonetheless, it’s the Rams who are seen as the favorite, and the Panthers’ chances to pull off the upset got even more challenging.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Jan. 10 that Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter.
Carolina pulled off the upset win over the Rams on Nov. 30, so they should have the belief that winning is possible. Still, a motivated Los Angeles team, after missing out on the NFC West title, would be a major challenge for the Panthers to pull off another win over the Rams for the second time this season.
Still, the Rams stumbled toward the end of the 2025 season with their loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 29, showing there are warts on the Los Angeles team the Panthers can exploit in this game.
Rams Ready for Rematch Win Against the Panthers
Nonetheless, the Rams have redemption on their mind as outside linebacker Jared Verse noted before the game, while speaking with NFL Network’s Sarah Walsh as he arrived for the Rams’ showdown against the NFC South champion Panthers.
“We locked in. I feel like there’s no way it could have been better. We get to come back here. They beat us the first time. They played a great game the first time,” Verse told Walsh of that Week 13 matchup.
“We’re one of those teams, you beat us once, you ain’t gonna get twice. So, we can be able to come back here, the opportunity to get the win that we need, it’s good.”
Moreover, with Ekwonu, it means that Verse and the rest of his teammates on defense will have the edge to make Panthers QB Bryce Young uncomfortable, despite Carolina having the home crowd behind him.
Rams Are All Business Against the Panthers
Verse spoke during the week leading up to his game about the Rams’ failure to stop the run being the “biggest thing” in their loss to the Panthers during the regular season. However, while he lauded the Panthers for making plays, he put the onus on the Rams.
“Their game plan was kind of bleed the clock, run, … take up as much time as possible while getting yards, popping the 3 yards. Maybe get knocked back for a yard and pop for 4 yards, and that’s not something that we can sustain on defense. That’s something that’s very lively for an offense. So we just have to get better and never have space,” Verse told reporters on Jan. 7.
“We didn’t get our feet in the ground. I don’t think we were, just mentally prepared. I think it was nothing that they did too effectively. Obviously, they’re a good team. They’re a playoff team. Everybody at this point is a great team. Everybody in the league is a good team. But I think they just got good knock back, and that, just we weren’t ready. Just that. As simple as that.”
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