Stafford Stars in Role of Potential MVP as Rams Survive Panthers

The Los Angeles quarterback was sharp in a late scoring drive as the team advanced with a comeback victory in the wild-card matchup.

Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after defeating the Carolina Panthers by a score of 34 to 31 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 10, 2026. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Matthew Stafford began the NFL season with a back condition, but still managed to bring Los Angeles back late in its wild-card matchup to keep the Rams’ postseason going.

One of the leading candidates for the league’s Most Valuable Player honor, Stafford put together a stellar fourth quarter on Saturday. He threw for 143 yards with two TDs and a 146.0 passer rating in a 34–31 comeback victory over the host Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

His competition for MVP includes Drake May of the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen. The voting by the sportswriters is over and the announcement is set for the day before next month’s Super Bowl, but Stafford took the role of hero by the horns as the Rams avenged a 31–28 Week 13 loss to the Panthers.

“I think he said, ‘Let’s go snatch these guys’ hearts.’ That was pretty cold,” Rams veteran wideout Davante Adams said about Stafford’s statement to the huddle before the final scoring drive. “Just to hear that, I literally smiled in the moment because I thought that that was one of the most gangster things you can say in that moment, honestly.

“And to hear him say that and the look on his face, and then to throw the touchdown and the look on his face after that, it was just like MVP stuff,” Adams said.

An aggravated disc in Stafford’s back created uncertainty around the Rams in the preseason, and the Panthers had the 16th-year signal-caller very close to facing questions about his future in the postgame press conference.

But Stafford, coming off the best regular season of his career, rallied the Rams, going 6-for-7 on a 71-yard scoring drive that sent the team into the divisional round next week against an opponent to be determined on Sunday.

When asked how he was feeling on the final scoring drive, Stafford said: “Pretty calm. Pretty steady. I just felt like I was seeing the coverages pretty well. The guys up front did a hell of a job keeping me clean on that drive, too, giving me time to click through some progressions.

“I feel like—like I said—I’ve been in that spot a lot in my life, and so it brings a smile to my face because I like being there—would love to be up 14 and taking a knee with 4 minutes left, but shoot, a win’s a win.”

Stafford finished the game 24 of 42 for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. But he was virtually flawless when Los Angeles needed him most.

Matthew Stafford (9) of the Los Angeles Rams calls a play against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Jan. 10, 2026. David Jensen/Getty Images

“He was just in total command, total control,” Rams coach Sean McVay said of Stafford in his postgame media availability. “[The Panthers] did a bunch of good things. I have a ton of respect for Ejiro [Evero]—their players made it difficult, some good players on the perimeter that ended up being pretty active.

“They brought a little bit more pressure, which kind of had been an uptick in their identity over the previous last couple weeks. But [Stafford] was steady, it was MVP-type of stuff what he did. Good calm. I thought he redirected a couple of the protections that allowed him not to be hot, where we would’ve been. And on all of those plays, he ended up finding completions and he got a bunch of guys involved.

“I thought he saw the field really well and that’s why we’re advancing, because of his leadership.”

Carolina finished the season 8–10, while No. 5 seed Los Angeles is 13–5 and still a threat to win again next weekend, in particular because of its quarterback.

Why was Stafford so poised with the game and the season on line?

“Belief in myself and belief in my teammates, really,” he said. “I trust all those guys to go out there and make plays. I just try to put it in a good spot for those guys. I love that spot. I’d rather [it] be me having to go out there with our offense and having to do it than watching.

“It’s a fun thing to be a part of. You can make it stressful, or you can make it calm and collected,” he said.

Stafford started the game as sharp as he had been all season. The 37-year-old was 8-for-8 with two scoring passes to Puka Nacua, the Pro Football Focus offensive player of the year.

Meanwhile, Adams was sluggish in his return from a hamstring injury. The 14-year star wasn’t able to draw targets from Stafford early on, and the Panthers played sticky enough coverage to knock away a pair of passes to him to open the second half.

But the Rams, who were a 10.5-point betting favorite against the Panthers, hit the skids after the first quarter. Stafford suffered a stretch of 2-of-12 passing after the strong start.

However, Stafford guided a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including the final touchdown with 38 seconds remaining to seal the victory.