NFL

Stafford Stars in Role of Potential MVP as Rams Survive Panthers

The Los Angeles quarterback was sharp in a late scoring drive as the team advanced with a comeback victory in the wild-card matchup.
Stafford Stars in Role of Potential MVP as Rams Survive Panthers
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after defeating the Carolina Panthers by a score of 34 to 31 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 10, 2026. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
John E. Gibson
|Updated:
0:00

Matthew Stafford began the NFL season with a back condition, but still managed to bring Los Angeles back late in its wild-card matchup to keep the Rams’ postseason going.

One of the leading candidates for the league’s Most Valuable Player honor, Stafford put together a stellar fourth quarter on Saturday. He threw for 143 yards with two TDs and a 146.0 passer rating in a 34–31 comeback victory over the host Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
John E. Gibson
John E. Gibson
Author
John E. Gibson has covered pro baseball in Japan for about 20 years and brings great knowledge and insight across the sports spectrum. His experience includes stints at The Orange County Register, The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, The Redlands Daily Facts and The Yomiuri Shimbun’s English newspaper in Tokyo.