The Los Angeles Rams are taking on the Carolina Panthers to open the Wild Card Playoffs in a rematch from the regular season, and outside linebacker Jared Verse, for one, believes the outcome will be different this time around.
The Rams lost to the Panthers in Week 13, in Carolina, where Saturday’s game will be played.
However, Verse, a two-time Pro Bowler and the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, believes it would be out of character for the Rams to lose to the Panthers again.
Jared Verse Puts Panthers on Notice Before Rams Wild Card Game
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the Seattle Seahawks.
Verse spoke with NFL Network’s Sarah Walsh as he arrived for the Rams’ showdown against the NFC South champion Panthers.
Verse believes this game is set up for the Rams to exact some measure of revenge for the loss.
“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.”
This is not the first time Verse expressed similar sentiments about that regular-season loss.
Jared Verse Calls Out Rams’ Mental Focus
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
Verse spoke during the week leading up to his game about the Rams failing to stop the run being the “biggest thing” in that 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 January 7, noting the Panthers were “knocking us off the ball.”
“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.”
He noted that he is ready for the playoffs to begin. But his first trip should have given him cause for pause over the comments that he made regarding this contest.
Jared Verse’s Comments Could Come Back to Bite Him
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before facing the Dallas Cowboys.
Verse’s remarks overlook a key point about the Rams this season, which is that they set out to earn home-field advantage.
All teams do that, but LA in particular wanted the right to host their way to the Super Bowl after getting bounced in the Divisional Round last season. That loss was to the Philadelphia Eagles, who ultimately won the Super Bowl, but also defeated the Rams during the regular season.
The Panthers that the Rams will face may not be what those Eagles were.
That was also last season, making this a different group, albeit with many of the same players. Still, Verse and his teammates must deliver, lest they and the Rams repeat unfortunate history.
Rams Pro Bowler Puts Panthers on Notice Before Wild Card Showdown