Wild Card Weekend Preview: Panthers vs. Rams

This Saturday at 4:30pm, the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams meet in the NFL Playoffs Wild Card matchup. One team is still rebuilding around a young quarterback. The other has rebuilt on the fly and is trying to return to the Super Bowl.

The Rising Panthers Built Around Bryce Young

Carolina’s journey to this playoff game started with a big decision. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers selected Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick. The goal was clear: find a franchise quarterback and build the future around him.

The early part of Young’s career was not easy. He struggled at times as a rookie, but things changed in the second half of 2024 when head coach Dave Canales took over. Young became more confident, made quicker reads, and began using his legs to make plays. That improvement carried into the 2025 season and helped push Carolina back into playoff contention.

The Panthers also focused on giving Young better help. They drafted wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who quickly became the team’s top outside target. Second-year receiver Xavier Legette took a step forward as a reliable second option, while Jalen Coker added speed from the slot.

In the running game, Rico Dowdle leads the backfield, supported by Chuba Hubbard and rookie Trevor Etienne. Just as important, Carolina rebuilt its offensive line, giving Young better protection than he had earlier in his career. This playoff appearance feels like a major step forward in the Panthers’ rebuild.

Rams Hoping to Return to Super Bowl Glory

The Rams took a very different path. After winning the Super Bowl in the 2021 season, they fell hard in 2022 due to injuries and salary cap problems. Instead of starting over, head coach Sean McVay and the front office chose a “retool” approach.

One of the most important moments in that rebuild came in the 2023 draft, when the Rams selected Puka Nacua in the fifth round. Nacua quickly became a star and a key part of the offense. That smart drafting helped the Rams stay competitive while getting younger and cheaper.

Now in 2025, quarterback Matthew Stafford is leading the offense with new weapons. The Rams moved on from Cooper Kupp and added Davante Adams, giving Stafford an elite target alongside Nacua. Running back Kyren Williams powers the offense, while young players continue to fill out the roster.

What This Game Is Really About

This Wild Card matchup is more than just one game. For Carolina, it is proof that drafting Bryce Young and staying patient is paying off. For Los Angeles, it shows how a team can rebuild smartly and stay dangerous without starting from scratch.

One team is rising. The other is trying to stay on top. On Wild Card weekend, only one of those stories will continue.