Carolina Panthers

Roaring Recap: Panthers 13, Rams 10

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:56 p.m. ET

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A rough, hard hitting, defensive battle and the Carolina Panthers win again despite some key injuries…

A quick look at the injury report for the Carolina Panthers entering Sunday’s game at Los Angeles and one could believe this season was soon to be over. No NFL team has ever made the playoffs after beginning the season 2-6 and that appeared exactly where the Panthers were headed. However, key absences on both sides of the ball from Ryan Kalil and Shaq Thompson couldn’t keep the defense off track and the Panthers’ offense did just enough to earn the victory.

Gino Gradkowski started for the injured Kalil, who has never lost a game in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where he played in college for the USC Trojans. Gradkowski had a few high snaps, but other than those miscues and a few missed assignments played well against Aaron Donald and company for the Rams.

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers at the line against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Defensively, A.J. Klein filled in for Shaq Thompson and Luke Kuechly played through a groin injury. Fellow linebacker Thomas Davis had arguably the best performance with 11 tackles, a sack, and a key interception near the end of the third quarter. Special teams also played a role in the win as Carolina was the beneficiary of two missed Rams’ field goals in the first half and recovered a botched onside kick attempt to seal the victory.

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) heads to the end zone for a touch down past Los Angeles Rams strong safety T.J. McDonald (25) in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

FIRST QUARTER: 7-0, CAROLINA

Los Angeles received the opening kickoff and moved the ball 38-yards in eight plays. However, instead of electing to punt on fourth down would try a 55-yard field goal that was missed wide right by Greg Zuerlein. Initially believed to be a risky call, even with the miss it turned out to be correct as points were at a premium all afternoon. Carolina quickly went three-and-out on their first offensive possession before quarterback Cam Newton orchestrated a nine play, 53-yard drive capped by a Greg Olsen touchdown reception. The only Panthers’ touchdown of the game.

Next: Second Quarter

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein (4) misses a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

SECOND QUARTER: 7-0, CAROLINA

The Carolina Panthers attempted to get the run game going, but Jonathan Stewart was only able to gain eight yards on eight carries in the first half. The stingy Rams defense also sacked Newton twice before the break on their way to five total in the game.

Both teams struggled to find any room on offense as the second quarter was highlighted mostly by the punt and return units for each team. Los Angeles threatened twice late in the first half, but was stopped on fourth down at the Carolina 38-yard line and missed a second 55-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

Carolina kicker Graham Gano would also miss his own 48-yard attempt between those two Rams’ possessions ending the second quarter. No attempts appeared to be blocked as both kickers struggled on a clear, sunny, afternoon with virtually no wind in southern California.

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs between Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) and cornerback James Bradberry (24) in the second half during the NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

THIRD QUARTER: 7-0, CAROLINA

Following the break, both defenses continued their stellar performances as each quarterback struggled to get anything going offensively. Carolina’s Mario Addison recorded a sack, one of two in the game, and the Rams added two more takedowns of Newton in the quarter.

On the Rams second possession of the half, linebacker Thomas Davis made a key interception dropping back into coverage and leaping for the pick. “I dropped back and got set up, and I got my eyes on the quarterback,” Davis recalled. “[Keenum] threw the ball in my direction, and I was like, ‘Come down with this football by any means necessary.'” The turnover proved to be a critical one as the Rams were moving the ball on offense that drive finding success in the flats of the Panthers’ defense.

Next: Fourth Quarter

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal during the second half of a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

FOURTH QUARTER: 13-10, CAROLINA

Finally, some scoring erupted in the fourth quarter of action. At least for the hard-hitting battle that was taking place inside the coliseum, two Carolina field goals and a Rams’ touchdown and field goal can be considered an eruption.

Once Carolina was able to take a two possession lead, on a Gano 38-yard field goal to begin the final quarter, the Panthers defense loosened. Due to the two possession lead, the Rams found room offensively and quickly answered with a field goal of their own.

Carolina’s offense again responded with another Gano field goal before the Rams would finally find the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Kenny Britt. Needing both a touchdown and field goal, Los Angeles lined up for an onside kick attempt that bounced all the way back to return man Ted Ginn of Carolina. He fell on the football, sealing the second win in a row for the Panthers.

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Fox Sports sideline reporter Pam Oliver (right) interviews Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) as running back Jonathan Stewart (28) listens after a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Winning back-to-back football games for the first time this season, Carolina was able to obviously figure some things out over the bye week. Hopefully, those starters who missed the game will return next week as Carolina faces a tough opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs next week.

Afterwards, head coach Ron Rivera spoke about the meaning behind winning such a difficult game. “This is very satisfying, especially to come out in a game like this,” Rivera said. “It’s huge for us against a tough football team, a physical football team.”

Returning home, the Kansas City Chiefs will enter Bank of America Stadium riding a four game win streak of their own. If Carolina wants to keep the playoff push alive, it will need to do so against arguably their toughest opponent of the season.

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