The NFC Wild Card round opens with a surprising matchup between the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Rams and the No. 4 seed Carolina Panthers, who clinched the NFC South despite a losing record in a weak division. The Rams, boasting one of the league’s top offenses, seek revenge after a regular-season upset loss to Carolina, while the Panthers aim to pull off another shocker in their first playoff appearance since 2017. This game could hinge on Los Angeles’ high-powered attack against Carolina’s resilient defense in what might be a rainy affair. Below is a detailed breakdown.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This outdoor venue, home to the Panthers since 1996, has a capacity of approximately 74,867 and features a natural grass surface, known for its energetic crowd that could boost the underdog hosts.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM ET (1:30 PM PT).
Broadcast: The game will be broadcast on FOX: Joe Davis, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver (field reporter), Kristina Pink (field reporter)
Westwood One: Jason Benetti, Ryan Leaf
Streaming available on Fubo. Note: While the query referenced January 11, confirmed NFL scheduling places this matchup on January 10 as part of Wild Card Saturday.
Weather Updates
Forecasts for Charlotte on game day indicate mild but potentially wet conditions. Expect highs around 50-66°F during the afternoon, with a 57% chance of precipitation, possibly showers or light rain. Winds will be around 9 mph, with nighttime lows dropping to 48°F. These conditions could lead to a slick field, favoring run-heavy offenses and potentially increasing fumbles, while limiting explosive passing plays.
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Check for updates closer to kickoff, as Southeastern weather can change.
Injury Report
Both teams are relatively healthy entering the playoffs, but key absences could impact the lines. Updates from January 8, 2026 practice reports:
Los Angeles Rams:
G Kevin Dotson (Ankle): Ruled out – Significant loss for the interior line.
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WR Jordan Whittington (Knee): Ruled out.
TE Terrance Ferguson: Questionable.
CB Josh Wallace (Ankle): Questionable.
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S Quentin Lake and WR Davante Adams: Expected to return and play.
Overall: The Rams have ruled out two starters but expect reinforcements; focus on OL depth against Carolina’s pass rush.
Carolina Panthers:
G Robert Hunt (Biceps): Questionable – Remains on IR, key for run blocking.
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WR David Moore (Elbow): Questionable, also on IR.
CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, DT Joe Tyron: Recently ruled out but cleared concussion protocol for some; team nearly fully healthy.
Overall: Carolina is as healthy as possible for their playoff return, with only two questionable on the final report; good news after clearing protocols.
Player Matchups
This game features several critical battles, particularly in the trenches and secondary, where weather could amplify physical play:
Rams RBs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum vs. Panthers Run Defense: Los Angeles’ duo combined for over 150 yards in their last meeting; Carolina must contain them to force passing in potential rain.
QB Matthew Stafford (Rams) vs. QB Bryce Young (Panthers): Stafford’s experience faces Young’s aggressive approach that worked in their Week 13 upset, where Young went 3-for-3 on fourth downs with two TDs.
CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (Panthers) vs. WRs Jalen Coker/Tetairoa McMillan (Rams): Carolina’s secondary will test Los Angeles’ big-play threats, especially after exploiting mismatches in the regular season.
Rams Pass Rush vs. Panthers Offensive Line: Los Angeles must pressure Young to disrupt Carolina’s rhythm, given the Panthers’ success in protecting during their upset win.
Turnover Battle: Both teams emphasize ball security; the Rams’ opportunistic defense could capitalize on Young’s youth in high stakes.
These matchups emphasize revenge and physicality in a potential upset scenario.
Recent Team Forms
Rams: Finished 12-5 under Sean McVay, clinching a third straight winning season with a Week 12 blowout. They went 8-2 in their last 10, boasting the league’s top offense (518 points) but lost their finale; strong road form at 5-4.
Panthers: Ended 8-9, improving from 5-12 with a Week 11 OT win sparking a surge to the playoffs after eight years. They finished 5-5 in their last 10, with a solid home streak (5 straight wins as underdogs) and balanced attack.
Series History
The Panthers lead the all-time series 13-10 in 23 meetings (14-10 including playoffs), with Carolina winning 7 of the last 10. Notable: Panthers upset the Rams in Week 13 this season and hold a 1-0 playoff edge from 2003. Los Angeles seeks to reverse recent trends where Carolina has dominated at home (6-
Betting Trends
Rams: 12-5 ATS overall; 3-0 ATS as 10.5+ favorites this season; 11-6 ATS as underdogs but strong on road.
Panthers: 9-8 ATS; 5 straight home wins as underdogs; unders in 6 of last 9 games.
Overall: Home underdogs in playoffs are 9-4 SU/11-2 ATS since 2016; overs 6-3 in Rams’ last 9, but head-to-head trends low-scoring.
RAMS:
• RAMS qualified for playoffs for the 7th time in 9 seasons under HC Sean McVay, who previously led team to SB LVI win (2021 season) & SB LIII appearance (2018 season). • HC SEAN MCVAY has 100 career wins as HC, 1 of 3 to do so all-time prior to turning 40. • QB MATTHEW STAFFORD led NFL with 4,707 pass yards & career-high 46 TD passes in 2025, his 10th-career season with 4,000+ pass yards & 20+ TD passes, 1 of 7 QBs in NFL history to do so. Has 2,996 pass yards & 22 TDs (19 pass, 3 rush) with 102.3 rating in 10 career postseason starts. Has 2+ TD passes in each of his 7 playoff starts with LAR. Passed for 243 yards & 2 TDs in Week 13 meeting. Made 4th-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS ranked 10th with career-high 1,533 scrimmage yards in 2025. Had 80+ scrimmage yards in his last 5 reg. season games. Had 72 rush yards & TD in Week 13 meeting. Aims for 3rd in row in playoffs with 90+ scrimmage yards. • RB PUKA NACUA led NFL with 129 receptions, ranked 2nd with career-high 1,715 rec. yards & tied-6th with 10 TD catches this season & was 1 of 3 (Jaxon Smith-Njigba & Ja’Marr Chase) with 90+ rec. yards in 9+ games this season. Has 322 rec. yards (107.3 yards per game) in 3 career postseason starts. Had 72 rec. yards in Week 13 meeting. Made 2nd-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS led NFL with 14 TD catches in 2025. Has 910 rec. yards & 8 TD catches in 11 career playoff games (w/ GB). • LB NATE LANDMAN had 8 tackles in Week 13 meeting & had 5+ tackles in 3 of his last 4 reg. season games. Aims for 1st career playoff appearance. • LB BYRON YOUNG ranked tied-8th with career-high 12 sacks this season. Had 8 tackles & sack in Week 13 meeting. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. Made 1st-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • DE KOBIE TURNER aims for 4th in row in playoffs with 0.5+ sack. • CB EMMANUEL FORBES ranked tied-3rd with 18 PD this season. Had PD in 11 games in 2025, 1 of 6 players to do so. • S KAM CURL had career-high 122 tackles this season.
PANTHERS NOTES:
• PANTHERS won NFC South division title for 1st time since 2015 & after finishing tied for last in 2024. Became 10th team in past 20 seasons (2006-25) to win division title after beginning 1-3. • QB BRYCE YOUNG had career-high 3,011 pass yards in 2025. Had TD pass in 6 of his last 7 reg. season games & 90+ passer rating in 4 of his last 5. Had 206 pass yards & 3 TDs in Week 13 meeting. Can make 1st career playoff start. • RB RICO DOWDLE had career-high 1,373 scrimmage yards (1,076 rush, 297 rec.) & had 7 TDs in 2025, his 2nd consecutive season with 1,000+ rush yards. Is 1 of 2 (Bijan Robinson) with 225+ scrimmage yards in 2 games this season. Had 79 scrimmage yards in Week 13 meeting. • WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN led all rookies with 1,014 rec. yards & 7 TDs in 2025 & ranked 3rd with 70 receptions. Was 1 of 2 rookies (Emeka Egbuka) with 85+ rec. yards in 4 games this season. Had TD catch in 2 of his last 3 reg. season games at home. Had TD catch in Week 13 meeting. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM had 122 tackles in 2025, his 2nd consecutive season with 120+ tackles & had INT & 1st career FF & FR. Aims for 3rd in row in playoffs with 7+ tackles. Had 211 tackles, sack, TFL & 2 INT w/ Lar (2020-24). • DT DERRICK BROWN had career-high 5 sacks in 2025. Had sack & FF in Week 13 meeting. Had 5+ tackles in last 3 reg. season games. • CB MIKE JACKSON led NFL with season-high 19 PD in 2025, his 2nd consecutive season with 15+ PD, 1 of 2 (Derek Stingley) to do so. Ranked tied-8th with 4 INTs this season. Had PD in 7 of his last 8 reg. season games. Had 5 tackles & PD in only career playoff game (1/14/23 vs. SF w/ Sea.) Had INT-TD in Week 13 meeting. • CB JAYCEE HORN ranked tied-2nd with career-high 5 INTs this season. Made 2ndcareer Pro Bowl in 2025. • S NICK SCOTT had 7+ tackles in last 7 reg. season games. Had 9 tackles & INT in Week 13 meeting. Had 140 tackles, 2 FFs, 4 INTs & 9 PD & won SB LVI w/ LAR (2019-22). • S TRE’VON MOEHRIG had 103 tackles & career-high 14 TFL this season, his 2nd straight season with 100+ tackles. Aims for 3rd in row with sack.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Rams – 10.5
Carolina Panthers 45.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, January 9, 2026
