Jan. 10, 2026, 6:54 p.m. PT
It wasn’t pretty, but the Los Angeles Rams got the job done on the road Saturday in a nail-biting win over the Carolina Panthers, 34-31. They’ll now advance to the divisional round of the playoffs, sitting just two wins away from reaching the Super Bowl for the third time under Sean McVay.
At this point in the season, all that matters is the final result, even if there were mistakes made throughout the game. The Rams certainly had their share of those, struggling to move the ball on offense at times, and having trouble containing Carolina’s receivers.
If they’re going to win next week, here are four areas that must improve.
Cornerback coverage
It was a tough afternoon for all of the Rams’ cornerbacks. They struggled against the Panthers’ bigger receivers in Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, who combined for 14 catches, 215 yards and a touchdown.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
According to PFF, Quentin Lake gave up 83 yards in coverage, Cobie Durant allowed 88 yards and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. gave up 26. The Rams aren’t going to find any additional reinforcements before their next game, but they need to improve their coverage because all of their potential upcoming opponents are rich with talent on the outside.
Perhaps the Rams will give Darious Williams a shot or play Ahkello Witherspoon more if he’s healthy and available.
Entire special teams unit
Harrison Mevis has been the only bright spot on special teams lately. He made two field goals on Saturday and looked good on every kick he attempted, but the rest of the unit was a letdown. Desjuan Johnson had a bad costly 15-yard penalty on kickoff coverage and Ethan Evans had his final punt blocked, which set up the Panthers’ go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The protection and coverage both need to be better on punts because the special teams unit is on the verge of costing the Rams another game.
Had the Rams not won this game, penalties would’ve been the talk of the night. They had nine penalties for 83 yards, and almost all of them were costly. Durant was called for pass interference in the end zone on third down, which led to a touchdown on the next play.
Lake was flagged for PI on the Panthers’ touchdown drive before halftime, giving Carolina a free 28 yards to set up Bryce Young’s eventual touchdown. Braden Fiske was offsides on a crucial third-and-5 that led to a field goal and Nate Landman was flagged for hitting Jalen Coker in his helmet inside the 10-yard line – which, you guessed it, ended with another Panthers touchdown.
Penalties are an easy way to lose a game and can be difficult to overcome, especially when they lead directly to points.
Receiver production beyond Puka Nacua
Nacua was once again the Rams’ go-to guy on Saturday, catching 10 of 18 passes for 111 yards. He scored two touchdowns and had 14 yards rushing, doing it all on offense. He even broke up a pass that would’ve been intercepted in the end zone.
Beyond him, the Rams got very little out of their pass catchers. Davante Adams had five catches for 72 yards, but he and Stafford weren’t on the same page at all times, and he also dropped a pass on the final drive. No other player caught more than two passes, with Konata Mumpfield being the only other wideout to have a single reception; that came on the second-to-last play of the game-winning drive, too.
The Rams need to get other receivers involved next week because it can’t all fall on Nacua. Even if it’s with short passes to Xavier Smith or Tutu Atwell where they can make a play in space.
