All-Pros Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua help the Los Angeles Rams advance to the NFC Divisional Round.
Stafford threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson in the final minute and the Rams rallied to beat the Carolina Panthers 34-31 to open Saturday’s NFL playoffs in a game that was closer than expected.
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The Rams (13-5) are favored by double digits against the Panthers (8-10) at BetMGM Sportsbook. They led 14-0 at one point but were unable to capitalize on first-half miscues, allowing Carolina to pull within 17-14 at halftime.
Stafford earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his 17-year career on Saturday after throwing for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Nacua, a unanimous All-Pro selection, had 10 catches for 111 yards and one touchdown, along with a 5-yard touchdown run.
The Rams are back in the divisional round for the second straight season. Last year, they came 13 yards away from eliminating Philadelphia, but lost the season 28-22 thanks to a sack and an incomplete pass.
No. 5 seed Los Angeles will have to wait for the results of the other wild-card games next week to know its opponent.
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The Panthers led 31-27 on Bryce Young’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker with 2:43 left, but Stafford held the Rams 71 yards in two minutes. Parkinson scored the winning points with a great tightrope catch and held the defense firmly.
Led by coach Dave Canales and improved quarterback Bryce Young, the Panthers have reason to be optimistic about the future after winning a lowly NFC South team and nearly pulling off a major upset.
The Chicago Bears (11-6) host the Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) in the other NFC wild-card game to complete Saturday’s doubleheader. The Bears are the second seed in the NFC, while the Packers are seventh.
Sunday
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No. 5 Buffalo Bills (12-5), No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4).
No. 6 San Francisco 49ers (12-5), No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6).
The seventh-place Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) face the second-place New England Patriots (14-3).
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No. 5 Houston Texans (12-5), No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7).
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The Denver Broncos (14-3) are the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and the Seattle Seahawks (14-3) are the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Each team received a bye and will host the lowest remaining seed next weekend.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl