The Panthers have a -69 point differential and are only the 5th team to reach the post season with a losing record. The Panthers have not looked good down the stretch and they don't deserve to be in the playoffs, everybody Loves Stafford and the Rams and the line movement indicates the love.
The Panthers beat the Rams without stud CB JC Horn, starting safety Moehring and LB Rozeboom. Bryce Young had a 147 passer rating and played maybe his best game, dropping some huge 4th down dimes in the basket. Since that game the Rams Defense has kind of been exposed. In the last 6 games the Rams D has given up 28 points per game and 6.7 yards per play, teams are taking shots at the Rams secondary and finding success.
Panthers Activate Pro Bowl G Robert Hunt who has been out since week 2 with a torn bicep. Hunt has been practicing the last 2 weeks and it looks like he will play. Hunt is the leader and enforcer on the line and he can help get that Panthers run game back on track. The Panthers ran it for 168 yards in the 1st game vs the Rams without Hunt. The Rams run D has been below average all season and I think the Panthers can find some success on the ground again.
So far in his career Bryce Young has 12 game winning drives in the 4th Q / OT and that is the most in the league. Young has improved throughout his career and he seems to play his best when it matters most. I don't think he can compete in a shootout with Stafford and that won't be the plan. The weather shows wind and rain and that helps the Panthers who want to shorten the game, run the ball, move the chains and keep the Rams offense off the field.
The Rams are 4-4 on the road and this will be the 1st home playoff game for the Panthers in a long time.
Give me the Home Dog to keep this one interesting until the end.
Panthers +10.5
Good Luck
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