Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes and the Carolina Panthers forced Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford into three turnovers in a 31-28 victory that ended the Rams’ six-game winning streak on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C.
The Panthers were efficient on fourth-down plays in the second half and the defense came up with a huge stop when it appeared the NFC-best Rams might be ready to regain the lead.
After Los Angeles reached the Carolina 17-yard line, a delay of game penalty came before Derrick Brown forced a Stafford fumble on a sack which was recovered by D.J. Wonnum with 2:25 remaining.
Stafford entered the game with two interceptions all season and then threw two in the first quarter. The first was tipped and picked off in the end zone and the next was snatched by Mike Jackson and returned 48 yards for a touchdown.
Young completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards, helping the Panthers (7-6) recover from a loss Monday night at San Francisco. Running back Chuba Hubbard gained 83 yards on 17 carries and caught a 35-yard touchdown pass for the team’s first points in the first quarter.
Stafford completed 18 of 28 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams and set an NFL record in the first quarter with 28 TD passes without an interception going back to Week 3. That run ended when he threw a pair of picks in a span of three passes.
Davante Adams had two TD receptions for Los Angeles, Xavier Smith caught three passes for 82 yards and Blake Corum led the Rams’ rushing attack with 81 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
The Rams (9-3) went ahead 28-24 with 9:58 remaining on Kyren Williams’ 7-yard run.
Carolina needed six plays to regain the lead, with Young hitting Tetairoa McMillan for a 43-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2 with 6:34 remaining.
The Panthers earlier took a lead on the first possession of the third quarter when Young hooked up with Jalen Coker for a 33-yard touchdown play on fourth-and-3.
The Rams recovered from their early woes for a 21-17 halftime lead. Los Angeles didn’t punt in the first half, with three touchdowns and Stafford’s two interceptions.
–Field Level Media
