The nerves were real. Honestly, if you watched the Los Angeles Rams football score tick up during that Wild Card match against the Carolina Panthers on January 10, you know exactly what I mean. It wasn't just a win; it was a cardiac event.
34-31.
That’s the number that matters. But the score doesn't tell you how Matthew Stafford had to go vintage "Detroit mode" to pull this off. It doesn't tell you that the Rams almost choked away a double-digit lead in Charlotte. Most people look at the final and think, "Oh, the better team won."
Maybe.
But it took a 19-yard dime to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left to actually seal the deal. This season has been a rollercoaster, and while the 12-5 regular season record looked shiny, the postseason is a different beast entirely.
Breaking Down the Recent Los Angeles Rams Football Score
Let's get into the weeds of that 34-31 victory. The Rams came out firing. Puka Nacua—who, by the way, has been absolutely ridiculous this year with over 1,700 receiving yards—found the end zone twice in the first half. A 14-yard catch and a 5-yard run. It looked like a blowout.
📖 Related: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
Then things got weird.
Carolina, a team that basically tripped into the playoffs with an 8-9 record, started bullying the Rams' front. Bryce Young scrambled for a 16-yard TD. Chuba Hubbard started finding gaps. Suddenly, the Rams were trailing 31-27 with less than three minutes to go.
Stafford went 6-for-7 on that final drive. The only miss? A drop by Davante Adams. Yes, the same Davante Adams who usually catches everything. But the 71-yard march ended with Parkinson’s heroics, and L.A. lived to fight another day.
The Regular Season Context
If you haven't been following every single snap this year, you might have missed how the Rams got here. They finished 2nd in the NFC West, just behind the Seahawks.
They’ve been a scoring machine.
👉 See also: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
The Rams offense actually finished the regular season ranked 1st in the NFL for points scored, averaging 30.5 per game. That is a massive jump from where they were a couple of years ago. It’s mostly due to the Stafford-Nacua connection and Kyren Williams keeping defenses honest on the ground.
Take a look at the momentum leading into the playoffs:
- Week 18: Beat the Cardinals 37-20 (Total dominance).
- Week 17: Lost a heartbreaker to the Falcons 27-24.
- Week 16: A weird OT loss to Seattle, 38-37.
- Week 15: Edged out the Lions 41-34.
Notice a pattern? They score a ton, but they also give up a lot. The defense, led by Jared Verse and Byron Young, has been opportunistic but sometimes vulnerable to the big play.
Looking Ahead to the Bears
Now, the focus shifts to Soldier Field. This Sunday, January 18, the Rams face the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Round. It’s a 3:30 PM PST kickoff on NBC.
The betting lines are already buzzing. The Rams are currently 3.5-point favorites on the road. That sounds low for the #1 offense in the league, but Chicago’s defense is a different animal in the cold.
✨ Don't miss: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
The Bears finished 11-6. They aren't the walkover they used to be. Their defense is ranked 23rd in points allowed, which bodes well for Stafford, but Soldier Field in mid-January is basically a freezer. If the Los Angeles Rams football score stays high early, they’ll be fine. If it becomes a defensive struggle? That's Bears territory.
Key Matchups to Watch
You have to watch the Rams' offensive line against that Chicago pass rush. If Stafford has time, he will pick them apart. Puka Nacua is a matchup nightmare for anyone, especially now that he's fully healthy.
On the flip side, Chris Shula’s defense has to contain the Chicago run game. They’ve been giving up 20.4 points per game, which is top-10 in the league, but they’ve looked shaky against mobile quarterbacks lately.
Practical Insights for Fans
If you're following the scores this weekend, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Red Zone: The Rams were elite at converting trips into touchdowns during the regular season. If they start settling for field goals in Chicago, they're in trouble.
- Weather Factor: Keep an eye on the wind speed. High winds at Soldier Field can kill the Rams' deep passing game, forcing them to rely on Kyren Williams.
- Live Updates: If you aren't near a TV, the NFL app or Fox Sports live box scores are your best bet for real-time play-by-play.
The Rams are aiming for their third consecutive deep playoff run under Sean McVay. The talent is there. The experience is there. Now they just need to prove that the 34-31 scare in the Wild Card round was a wake-up call, not a sign of things falling apart.
To stay on top of the action, check the official Rams schedule for any last-minute flex changes and make sure your Peacock or NBC login is ready for the Sunday night showdown.