(Joseph Baura/LA Rams)
Chants of whose house… Ram’s house could be heard throughout Sunday’s game, and finally, it was! The LA Rams defeated the Carolina Panthers, 24-10, overcoming a two-game losing streak and a languid start to this game. After Sunday’s win, the Rams (3-3) enter a bye week with trade rumors looming in the background as the November 1 trade deadline approaches. Stories abound with scenarios of possibly replacing running back Cam Akers, who missed the game due to personal reasons. Ironically, Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey’s name has surfaced as a possible replacement for Akers. McCaffrey had 69 yards on 13 carries.
In first-quarter play, the Panthers would score with an Eddy Pineiro 42-yard field goal. It was the Panther’s first game since the firing of head coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow. Steve Wilks coached his first game as the Panther’s interim head coach. The Rams responded in the second quarter when wide receiver Allen Robinson II scored what commentators described as a “jump ball” catch with a five-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford, a drive that would take 13 plays for 73 yards.
(Will Navarro)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 26 of 33 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown. Stafford’s favorite target Cooper Kupp caught seven passes for 80 yards; however, a Stafford pass intended for Kupp was intercepted by Donte Jackson and returned for a Panther TD during the 2nd quarter. It was Stafford’s eighth interception for the season.
It was all Rams in the third quarter, with a 21-yard Matt Gay field goal followed by wide receiver Ben Skowroneks’ 17-yard run TD.
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“It felt great to finally get into the end zone after however many games,” said Skowronek, a seventh-round draft pick in 2021. “And it felt even better to get the win before the bye week.” Ram’s defensive back, All-Pro, and five-time Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey sacked Panther backup quarterback P.J. Walker his first “full” sack.
“It was cool, it was fun,” said Ramsey. “I had every other statistic basically besides a sack, so it’s been a long time coming.”
Walker filled in for injured Panther quarterback Baker Mayfield.
(Gabby Hutter/LA Rams)
On the ground, running back Darrell Henderson finished the day with 12 carries for 43 yards and one touchdown, with Malcolm Brown adding seven carries for 15 yards. The Rams’ O-line continues to reel from player injuries, with left tackle Joe Noteboom leaving the game with an ankle injury. Rams center Brian Allen and guards David Edwards, Coleman Shelton, and Tremayne Anchrum Jr remain injured.
The frustration for the Panthers was on full display as the Panthers sent wide receiver Robbie Anderson to the locker room after a heated exchange on the sidelines with an assistant coach. ESPN reported today that the Panthers traded Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals for undisclosed draft compensation. The Panthers are 1-5.
The Rams will meet the 49ers Sunday, October 30, 1:25 PM at SoFi Stadium.
