The Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers match player stats from January 10, 2026, tell the story of a close playoff contest. Los Angeles won 34–31 at Bank of America Stadium behind Matthew Stafford’s 304 passing yards and three touchdown passes. His 19-yard touchdown throw to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds remaining delivered the winning score.
Carolina stayed competitive through Bryce Young’s passing and rushing contributions, Jalen Coker’s 134 receiving yards, and two Chuba Hubbard rushing touchdowns. This breakdown covers that specific NFC Wild Card game, which belonged to the 2025 NFL season, despite taking place in January 2026.
Final Score and How the Game Developed
According to the NFL’s official gamebook, Los Angeles scored the first 14 points. However, Carolina recovered and entered halftime trailing by just three.
| Team | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 7 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 34 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
Puka Nacua supplied both early Rams touchdowns, catching a 14-yard pass before adding a five-yard rushing score. Carolina answered through Hubbard and Young, whose 16-yard touchdown run helped reduce the halftime deficit to 17–14.
The fourth quarter produced four lead changes. That sequence explains why the final score reflects more than a comfortable favorite surviving a late scare: both offenses repeatedly answered scoring pressure.
Quarterback Stats: Matthew Stafford vs Bryce Young
Stafford finished with the stronger passing totals, although Young added a rushing touchdown that does not appear in a basic passing comparison.
| Quarterback | Completions/attempts | Passing yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stafford, Rams | 24/42 | 304 | 3 | 1 | 93.8 |
| Bryce Young, Panthers | 21/40 | 264 | 1 | 1 | 71.2 |
Stafford’s final possession made the difference
Stafford’s overall completion rate was 57.1%, so this was not a game of uninterrupted passing efficiency. Nevertheless, he delivered the most important series when Los Angeles needed a touchdown.
After Carolina moved ahead 31–27, Stafford completed six of seven passes on a 71-yard scoring drive. Parkinson caught the final throw, putting the Rams back in front with less than a minute remaining.
The Rams’ official recap also highlights Davante Adams’ two receptions during that possession. Those catches mattered because Los Angeles needed several successful plays to create the winning opportunity.
Young contributed beyond his passing numbers
Young completed 52.5% of his attempts and threw one interception. However, his three rushing attempts produced 24 yards and a touchdown.
His mobility helped Carolina finish a late first-half possession with seven points. Later, his touchdown pass to Coker briefly put the Panthers in position to win.
The statistical distinction matters: Stafford threw three touchdowns, while Young accounted for two total touchdowns—one passing and one rushing.
Receiving Leaders: Coker and Nacua Set the Pace
Coker led all players in receiving yards, while Nacua finished with the most receptions. The official gamebook lists the leading receiving performances as follows:
| Player | Team | Targets | Receptions | Receiving yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Coker | Panthers | 12 | 9 | 134 | 1 |
| Puka Nacua | Rams | 18 | 10 | 111 | 1 |
| Tetairoa McMillan | Panthers | 7 | 5 | 81 | 0 |
| Davante Adams | Rams | 13 | 5 | 72 | 0 |
| Tyler Higbee | Rams | 3 | 2 | 45 | 0 |
| Colby Parkinson | Rams | 3 | 2 | 34 | 1 |
| Tommy Tremble | Panthers | 3 | 3 | 22 | 0 |
| Kyren Williams | Rams | 2 | 2 | 18 | 1 |
Coker’s performance combined volume with an explosive gain. His 52-yard reception late in the third quarter helped position Carolina for another touchdown, and his seven-yard scoring catch later gave the Panthers a 31–27 lead.
Carolina’s official statistical review identified his nine catches and 134 receiving yards as career highs at the time.
Nacua’s contribution extended beyond his receiving line. He added 14 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, giving him 125 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns.
Parkinson illustrates why receiving yardage alone cannot determine a player’s influence. He finished with only two receptions, but his second catch decided the game.
Rushing Stats: Hubbard Finished Drives
Los Angeles gained more rushing yards, but Carolina scored more rushing touchdowns.
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing yards | Yards per carry | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyren Williams | Rams | 13 | 57 | 4.4 | 0 |
| Chuba Hubbard | Panthers | 13 | 46 | 3.5 | 2 |
| Blake Corum | Rams | 11 | 45 | 4.1 | 0 |
| Bryce Young | Panthers | 3 | 24 | 8.0 | 1 |
| Puka Nacua | Rams | 3 | 14 | 4.7 | 1 |
| Rico Dowdle | Panthers | 5 | 9 | 1.8 | 0 |
Hubbard scored from one and three yards out. Consequently, his 46 rushing yards understate his importance to Carolina’s scoring.
Williams and Corum combined for 102 rushing yards, giving Los Angeles production from both running backs. Williams also caught a 13-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
From an analytical perspective, the teams used their rushing production differently. Carolina converted short scoring opportunities on the ground, while the Rams combined steady rushing gains with three touchdown passes.
Defense and Special Teams Kept Carolina Close
Several defensive and special teams plays prevented this contest from becoming a straightforward comparison of offensive yardage.
Cobie Durant intercepted Young, while Carolina cornerback Mike Jackson intercepted Stafford. The Panthers’ official review credited Jackson with four passes defensed, making him a significant obstacle for the Rams’ passing attack.
Carolina also generated a major late opportunity when Isaiah Simmons blocked a punt. The Panthers took over at the Los Angeles 30-yard line and subsequently scored through Coker.
However, the Rams produced the final defensive stop. As their official recap records, Quentin Lake broke up Young’s fourth-down pass on Carolina’s last possession.
Kicking contributed to the narrow margin, too. Harrison Mevis made field goals from 46 and 42 yards for Los Angeles, while Ryan Fitzgerald converted a 46-yard attempt for Carolina.
What the Team Statistics Reveal
The NFL gamebook shows a clear Rams advantage in total offense, but Carolina performed better on third down.
| Category | Rams | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Total net yards | 411 | 333 |
| Net passing yards | 295 | 250 |
| Rushing yards | 116 | 83 |
| First downs | 21 | 21 |
| Third-down conversions | 3/13 | 5/12 |
| Fourth-down conversions | 1/2 | 0/3 |
Los Angeles gained 78 more yards, yet both teams recorded 21 first downs. Carolina’s stronger third-down conversion rate helped offset some of that yardage difference.
The fourth-down results also deserve attention. Carolina failed on all three attempts, including its final offensive play. The Rams converted one of their two opportunities.
These figures support a measured conclusion: Los Angeles generated more offense, while Carolina used timely scoring and a blocked punt to remain within reach.
Research Section: How These Numbers Were Checked
This article uses the NFL’s final gamebook as the primary statistical record. The Rams’ official recap and Carolina’s official postgame statistical review provide supporting context for the scoring sequence and individual performances.
One distinction prevents a common reporting error: quarterback passing yards differ from team net passing yards. Stafford threw for 304 yards, but Los Angeles finished with 295 net passing yards after subtracting nine sack yards. Young’s 264 passing yards became 250 net team passing yards after 14 sack yards.
The tables cover leading contributors rather than every player who appeared. Interpretations about efficiency and influence are analysis of the recorded results; this article does not claim firsthand attendance, interviews, or independent film study.
FAQs
Who won the Rams vs Panthers Wild Card game in January 2026?
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Carolina Panthers 34–31 on January 10, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium.
How many passing yards did Matthew Stafford record?
Stafford threw for 304 yards, completing 24 of 42 attempts with three touchdowns and one interception.
Who had the most receiving yards?
Carolina’s Jalen Coker led the game with 134 receiving yards on nine catches. Puka Nacua led the Rams with 111 yards.
How many touchdowns did Chuba Hubbard score?
Hubbard scored two rushing touchdowns. He finished with 46 rushing yards and 13 receiving yards.
What was the winning play?
Stafford connected with Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard touchdown with 38 seconds remaining, giving Los Angeles its decisive lead.
Conclusion
The Rams won through greater offensive production and a decisive final touchdown drive. Stafford, Nacua, and Parkinson supplied the key passing-game contributions, while Coker, Hubbard, and Young kept Carolina competitive. The verified statistics show a close playoff game shaped by explosive receptions, short-yardage touchdowns, and crucial late possessions.
