If you're frantically refreshing your feed asking what's the score of the Panthers football game, I have some tough news for the Carolina faithful. As of Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Carolina Panthers are actually out of the hunt. Their season officially ended last weekend in a Wild Card thriller that basically felt like a rollercoaster ride through a thunderstorm.
The final score of their last outing was Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31.
It was a gut-punch. Honestly, if you saw the game, you know the score doesn't even tell the whole story. The Panthers weren't even supposed to be there according to the "experts" back in August. But Bryce Young and Chuba Hubbard turned Bank of America Stadium into a fortress for most of the winter. They fought back from a 14-0 hole against Matthew Stafford and the Rams, even taking a lead late in the fourth quarter. Then, well, Stafford did Stafford things.
The Wild Card Chaos: Panthers vs. Rams Breakdown
The NFL Divisional Round is happening right now, which is why everyone is looking for the score. But the Panthers' locker room is already empty. On January 10, the Rams came into Charlotte and barely escaped.
It was high drama.
Young found Jalen Coker for a 7-yard touchdown with just under three minutes left. The stadium was shaking. You could literally feel the "Keep Pounding" drums in your chest. At that moment, the score was 31-27 in favor of Carolina. But 38 seconds remained on the clock when Colby Parkinson caught a 19-yard laser from Stafford to break Carolina's hearts.
One dropped pass on the final drive by Jimmy Horn Jr. was the difference between moving on to the Divisional Round and heading home for the off-season. It’s the kind of loss that keeps a fan base awake at night.
🔗 Read more: Pittsburgh Steelers Game Time Sunday: Everything You Need to Know for Kickoff
Why people are still searching for the score today
The confusion makes sense. Today, Sunday, January 18, is a massive day for NFL playoff football. We have the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots and the Rams (the team that beat Carolina) facing the Chicago Bears. Because the Panthers were the #4 seed and hosted a game just eight days ago, many casual fans assumed they were still in the mix.
- Last Game Date: January 10, 2026
- Final Score: 31-34 (Loss vs. Rams)
- Current Status: Eliminated from Postseason
- Offseason Priority: Bolstering the offensive line and secondary depth
What really happened with the Panthers this season?
Nobody talks about how close this team was to being a juggernaut. They finished the regular season 8-9, which sounds mediocre, but they won the NFC South. In a division that was basically a bar fight all year, Carolina showed real grit.
They beat the Rams 31-28 just six weeks ago. They handled the Falcons in a 30-27 overtime win back in November. They even went into Lambeau Field and took down the Packers 16-13. The problem wasn't talent; it was finishing. They lost to the Buccaneers 16-14 in the final week of the regular season—a game that could have given them much better seeding and a different path through the playoffs.
👉 See also: Why the Los Angeles Angels Filipino Heritage Night is Still the Best Party in Anaheim
Bryce Young took a massive leap this year. He looked like the franchise guy we were promised. He threw for over 300 yards in the playoff loss, and his 16-yard scramble for a touchdown was the second-longest of his career. It showed a level of mobility and "want-to" that silenced a lot of the critics who were calling him a bust a year ago.
The defensive collapse at the worst time
Let's be real: the defense let them down when it mattered. Ejiro Evero’s unit was solid for 55 minutes. But in the final two minutes against Los Angeles, they couldn't get the stop. They allowed a 71-yard drive to a veteran quarterback who smelled blood in the water.
Even with Isaiah Simmons blocking a punt to set up the go-ahead score, the secondary couldn't hold. Puka Nacua had 111 yards on 10 catches. You can't let a star receiver roam that free in January and expect to win.
A quick look at the "other" Panthers
Sometimes when people ask what's the score of the Panthers football game, they’re actually looking for the college side of things. The Prairie View A&M Panthers played recently too, though that’s a different world entirely. They lost a close one to Jackson State, 82-78, and are gearing up to play Alcorn State tomorrow night. If you’re a UNI (University of Northern Iowa) fan, your Panthers are playing Bradley today, January 18.
📖 Related: Who Won the Super Bowl 2013: The Night the Lights Went Out in New Orleans
But for the NFL crowd, the "Keep Pounding" chant has been silenced until the preseason kicks off in August.
Actionable steps for Panthers fans
Now that the season is officially over, the focus shifts to the "second season"—the draft and free agency. If you're wondering what's next for the team now that you know the score:
- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the Rams vs. Bears game today at 6:30 PM ET. It’ll give you a good look at how the team that beat Carolina stacks up against the NFC's elite.
- Monitor the Salary Cap: The Panthers have some decisions to make regarding Chuba Hubbard’s future and reinforcing the defensive backfield.
- Check the Draft Board: Since they made the playoffs, their draft pick is later than usual (pick #19 or #20 depending on tiebreakers). They need to look at edge rushers or a true #1 wideout to help Young.
The score was 34-31. It wasn't the result Charlotte wanted, but for the first time in years, the Panthers actually feel like they’re heading in the right direction. Just don't expect to see them on your TV today.