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The NFL wild-card playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers is set to be the ultimate clash of narratives: a bona fide championship contender facing a Cinderella team that rode a thin margin and an opportune division title into the playoffs. The Rams, finishing the regular season at 12-5 and considered one of the NFL’s elite, bring with them an offensive firepower that has been unstoppable for most of the year. They enter Charlotte as heavy favorites, carrying the weight of massive expectations on their Super Bowl-experienced roster.
At the center of the Rams’ machine is quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has pieced together his best season of his 17 years in the NFL. The 37-year-old veteran has been an absolute statistical marvel, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns with an astounding 4,707 yards and a career-best 46 touchdowns against only 12 interceptions. His incredible production and efficiency, highlighted by his league-leading passing grade on downfield throws, have placed him firmly in the conversation for the NFL MVP award. For Stafford, this postseason run is the next step in solidifying a legacy that continues to climb.
Standing opposite the juggernaut Rams are the Carolina Panthers, who clinched the NFC South with a sub-.500 record, landing them in the playoffs at 8-9. Their journey was characterized by grit and opportunism, including a signature 31-28 upset victory over these very Rams in Week 13. While they limped into the postseason with a two-game losing streak, they are fueled by the energy of a fanbase that hasn’t seen a home playoff game in over a decade. The Panthers represent the quintessential underdog, benefiting from the NFL’s divisional structure to earn a shot at redemption.
The Panthers have the blueprint for beating Los Angeles, having forced two crucial Matthew Stafford interceptions and a late-game fumble in their Week 13 victory —a rare crack in the MVP-favorite’s armor. Carolina’s defense will need to replicate that aggressive, turnover-forcing performance against a Rams team that is now healthy and driven to correct the mid-season lapse that allowed the upset to happen in the first place.
This game presents a classic playoff scenario: the high-flying, heavily favored offense led by a potential MVP, versus the gritty, home-field underdog determined to prove their legitimacy. Will Stafford continue his career-peak season and march the Rams one step closer to another title, or will the Carolina Panthers summon the magic of their underdog status and deliver a shocking playoff knockout at Bank of America Stadium? The answer will define the opening weekend of the NFC bracket.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Rams vs. Panthers in the NFC wild-card round on Saturday. Follow below for complete results from the 2026 NFL playoff game.
STREAM: Watch Rams vs. Panthers live with Fubo (free trial)
Rams vs. Panthers score
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Rams vs. Panthers live updates, highlights from 2026 NFL wild-card playoff game
3:41 p.m.: Some Rams fans have made the trip all the way east for Los Angeles’ opening playoff game.
Playoff Rams Fam!!! 🗣️🐏🏠 pic.twitter.com/pg36EHXq0B
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 10, 2026
A trip to San Francisco, the site of Super Bowl LX, is a much easier trip.
3:33 p.m.: Here’s what Joe Davis and Greg Olsen, the two in the broadcast booth, had to say about today’s matchup.
“No team in the NFL converted on more 4th down tries than the Carolina Panthers”@gregolsen88 and Joe Davis talk from the booth ahead of today’s Rams/Panthers Wild Card Game on FOX pic.twitter.com/xPPUTvoX8x
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 10, 2026
Olsen became the first Panthers tight end to put up three straight 1,000+ seasons. He’s not the only Carolina legend in the house.
3:17 p.m.: In his first season in the NFL, Tet McMillan became the most prolific rookie receiver in the NFL.
B4ck to it pic.twitter.com/sAcZAurSYV
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 10, 2026
The No. 8 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft finished the regular season with 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.
3:07 p.m.: We’re getting closer in Carolina.
Gettin’ warm 💪 pic.twitter.com/kYRRY0mAWp
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 10, 2026
Will the Rams jumpstart their postseason run or will the Panthers pull off an all-time upset?
2:55 p.m.: Young has taken the field for warmups in a slightly rainy Carolina.
Bryce is playoff ready pic.twitter.com/H3t23F4g3X
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 10, 2026
2:40 p.m.: The Rams are entering today’s contest as a historic favorite.
The Rams are making history as 10 point favorites against the Panthers today 😳 pic.twitter.com/yeWfyVNJlX
— br_betting (@br_betting) January 10, 2026
2:25 p.m.: Making his return today is wide receiver Davante Adams, who led all receivers with 14 touchdowns in the regular season.
1️⃣7️⃣ in the 704 pic.twitter.com/aXudqSt5mS
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 10, 2026
Adams missed the final three games of the regular season with a hamstring injury.
2:07 p.m.: The heavily-favored Los Angeles Rams enter the playoffs with the league’s top scoring offense, and a huge reason behind that is receiver Puka Nacua.
You already know Puka’s watching @KingJames highlights 🏀 pic.twitter.com/3L9EyziCUD
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 10, 2026
Nacua led the NFL with 127 receptions, finished second with 1,715 yards and tallied 10 touchdowns.
2:06 p.m.: Quarterback Bryce Young has arrived for his first playoff start.
Brrrrryce 🥶@CokeCCBCC | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/DAtmFAmXd3
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 10, 2026
Young finished his third regular season with 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
2:02 p.m.: We are only a few hours away from kickoff of the first of six wild card games. Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina is ready to host its first playoff game in over a decade.
MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:
Where to watch Rams vs. Panthers
Rams vs. Panthers start time
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. PT
The Rams and Panthers will kick off the NFL Wild Card Round as the first of six games.
Kickoff will be at 4:30 p.m. ET, or 1:30 p.m. PT for the Los Angeles faithful, from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What channel is Rams vs. Panthers on today?
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: Fubo
The Rams and Panthers game will be broadcast nationally on Fox. Play-by-play commentator Joe Davis is joined by Panthers legend Greg Olsen, who is the color analyst, in the booth, with Pam Oliver on the sidelines.
Those looking to stream the game can do so on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
NFL playoff schedule 2026
Wild-card round
Saturday, Jan. 10
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| Rams at Panthers | 4:30 p.m. | Fox | Fubo, Fox One |
| Packers at Bears | 8:00 p.m. | — | Amazon Prime Video |
Sunday, Jan. 11
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| Bills at Jaguars | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | Fubo, Paramount+ |
| 49ers at Eagles | 4:30 p.m. | Fox | Fubo, Fox One |
| Chargers at Patriots | 8:15 p.m. | NBC | Fubo, Peacock |
Monday, Jan. 12
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| Texans at Steelers | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | Fubo, ESPN+ |
Divisional round
Saturday, Jan. 17
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| TBD vs. TBD | 4:30 p.m. | TBD | TBD, Fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:15 p.m. | TBD | TBD, Fubo |
Sunday, Jan. 18
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| TBD vs. TBD | 3:00 p.m. | TBD | TBD, Fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 6:30 p.m. | TBD | TBD, Fubo |
Conference championships
Sunday, Jan. 25
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| AFC championship game | 3:00 p.m. | CBS | Fubo, Paramount+ |
| NFC championship game | 6:30 p.m. | Fox | Fubo, Fox One |
Super Bowl LX
Sunday, Feb. 8
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Live stream |
| TBD vs. TBD | 6:30 p.m. | NBC | Fubo, Peacock |
