NFL playoffs: Los Angeles Rams hold on to beat Carolina Panthers after Matthew Stafford's touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson in final minute

11 January 2026, 01:02 | Updated: 11 January 2026, 07:29

Colby Parkinson's touchdown with 38 seconds to play silenced the Carolina Panthers crowd as the Los Angeles Rams escaped with a 34-31 victory to advance to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday. 

The Panthers battled back valiantly in the face of ominous early Rams dominance as they fought from 14-0 down to lead 31-27 with 2.39 remaining thanks to Jalen Coker's go-ahead touchdown.

But Sean McVay's side would shelve their second-half struggles by way of Matthew Stafford's 19-yard strike to tight end Parkinson, who did superbly to high-point his quarterback's pass at the sideline before swivelling, keeping both feet inbounds and reaching for the end zone.

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