It is worth mentioning that in that series, A long pass from Stafford looking for Nacua was going to be intercepted by safety Scott, but the Rams receiver made a great “defensive” play by knocking the ball out of his hands and avoiding the ball delivery that could have changed the game.
But again there was an oversight by the Rams. After a penalty that spoiled an incipient series – one of nine they received for 83 yards – Ethan Evans’ kick was blocked by Isaiah Simmons. That left Carolina at the other side’s 30-yard line.
Four plays later, a good Young’s pass to the corner was caught by Coker for a 7-yard touchdown that put the Panthers ahead again. (31-27) with 2:39 minutes left.
The Rams’ next series was masterful and saved their season: passes from Stafford to Nacua for 7 yards, to Adams for 10 and another for 6, and another to Nacua for 18 put them at the Carolina 30-yard line.
After an incomplete pass, rookie Konata Mumpfield came forward with an 11-yard drive and then came the play of the game when Stafford’s pass to Parkinson was accurate, just over the safety.
The tight end spun and fell into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown that made the final score 34-31. The 7-play, 71-yard, 2:01 drive led to the fourth flip of the fourth quarter, tying a playoff record..
The Rams defense bothered quarterback Young on four consecutive plays that were incomplete passes in the final seconds and thus ended a great game that started the playoffs.
Carolina was a tough rival and faced the sun to say goodbye after a very positive season in the second year of Latin head coach Dave Canales.
The comebacks led by Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter throughout his career including playoffs, the most of any active quarterback and one of the greatest of all time.
Matthew Stafford didn’t have an easy game, but He closed strong to total 304 yards from 24 completions in 42 attempts, with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Another of his throws ended in a score by Puka Nacua, but because it was a lateral pass it was scored as a running play.
The 17-season veteran played a phenomenal fourth quarter (12-15, 143 yards, 2 TDs) in which he demonstrated his great talent and poise to record his fourth consecutive 300-yard game in the playoffs as a visitor. In his 250th professional start, Stafford became the Rams franchise’s all-time postseason leader. in completions (192), yards (2,392) and touchdowns (18), leaving Kurt Warner behind.
For his part, Bryce Young completed 21 of 40 for 264 yards, 1 TD pass and 1 interception for Carolina. The young quarterback couldn’t get enough of the stage and competed one-on-one with the possible NFL MVP. He added 3 runs for 24 yards and another touchdown.
Puka Nacua. He caught 10 passes (18 targets) for 110 yards and 1 touchdown, in addition to rushing 3 times for 14 more yards and another score. He became just the second player in history to have at least 10 catches, 100 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown in a playoff game, joining James White (Patriots, Super Bowl LI). He is the second Rams player to achieve receiving and rushing touchdowns in a postseason game along with Marshall Faulk (1999 in divisional round).
