Stafford comes to Rams' rescue

Touchdown pass with 38 seconds left allows them to escape with win in playoff opener.

- By Gary KLEIN

CLOCKWISE from left: Matthew Stafford threw for three touchdowns; Puka Nacua celebrates his second touchdown with teammates; Carolina's Chuba Hubbard is tackled by the Rams; Kyren Williams gets love after scoring a touchdown.

Photographs by ERIC THAYER Los Angeles Times

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There's a reason Matthew Stafford is the favorite to win his first most valuable player award.

The Rams' quarterback, a 17th-year pro, produced his finest statistical season, leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes.

But Stafford is mainly known for engineering comebacks. And he did it again Saturday when the Rams needed it most.

Stafford's 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left gave the Rams a 34-31 victory over the Carolina Panthers in an NFC wildcard game at Bank of America Stadium.

It was far from easy, but the Rams outlasted the Panthers to advance to the divisional round. They won't know their opponent until Sunday's wildcard games are complete, but they probably need the time to breathe a sigh of relief.

On a night when he struggled after his throwing hand hit the helmet of a Panthers player, Stafford harked to the 2021 season, when he brought the Rams back several times in the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl title.

Stafford completed 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards and tossed touchdown passes to Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams and Parkinson. He had one pass intercepted.