Game Overview ::
By Mike Johnson >>
- This is a rematch of a game earlier this season when the Panthers upset the Rams on the back of forcing three turnovers from potential MVP Matthew Stafford.
- The Rams will have all-pro wide receiver Davante Adams back on the field for the first time since he went down with a hamstring injury in Week 15.
- Los Angeles is the only team in the NFL to rank top-5 in DVOA on both offense and defense.
- Carolina plays the highest rate of zone coverage in the league and ranks 31st in QB pressure rate this season.
- This game’s 10-point spread is the only one on Wild Card weekend with a spread greater than four points.
How los angeles Will Try To Win ::
The Rams are very straightforward in how they will operate, as they are a well oiled, high-octane offensive machine with a defense that isn’t impenetrable, but is strong enough to give opponents fits and take advantage of when their elite offense forces opponents to try to keep up with them. The Rams lead the NFL in offensive DVOA, yards per play, and points per game. Their offense has been dominant in every possible way this season, and that is especially true when they are at full strength. This week, they get all-pro wide receiver Davante Adams back from a lingering hamstring issue, and they will have both of their primary running backs at full strength as well. Adams and running back Blake Corum have both been practicing in full and help to balance out their offense along with all-world WR Puka Nacua and their stable of versatile tight ends.
The Rams had the second highest pass rate in neutral situations this season, behind only the Chiefs. Veteran QB Matthew Stafford had the best season of his career with his incredible WR duo of Nacua and Adams, along with an impressive cast of complementary pieces around them. Stafford had the third highest average depth of target among NFL QBs while taking only 23 sacks and leading the league in passing yards, touchdowns, and TD rate. This passing game revolves around Puka Nacua’s diverse skill set, and he is in a great spot here to attack a zone-heavy Panthers defense. Adams has been an elite red zone weapon and is used heavily on downfield and in-breaking intermediate routes, although his downfield targets have come up empty in a lot of spots, and he went over 80 receiving yards only twice all season, needing 11 and 13 targets to do so. Stafford makes great use of his running backs and tight ends in the receiving game as well, with the backs being involved on check-downs when necessary, and the tight ends being deployed in a variety of creative ways as the team has increased their multi-TE personnel packages as the season progressed. Colby Parkinson has emerged as their clear top option, while Tyler Higbee returned from injury last week, and rookie Terrance Ferguson has shown big-play ability at times this season. The Panthers ranked 31st in QB pressure rate this season and Stafford should have all day to throw here.
When the Rams do run the ball, they should have success doing so with their dynamic duo of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Los Angeles leads the league in adjusted line yards per rush attempt and has the most efficient running game in the league. Everything just “fits” for this offense, as their offensive line play holds things together and their passing game threats keep defenses from selling out to stop the run. This is one of the most well balanced offenses we have seen in quite some time, and Stafford’s arm talent and ability to read defenses both pre-snap and post-snap have been dicing up opponents all season. At full strength, it will take a massive effort or self-inflicted mistakes for this Panthers defense to slow down a Rams offense that, on paper, looks like it should be effective doing whatever they want. The first matchup between these teams had three turnovers from Stafford, but that was uncharacteristic, and the team still averaged a massive 7.4 yards per play. If they are able to avoid turnovers, the Rams are highly likely to score 30+ points in this matchup.
