The Carolina Panthers topping the Los Angeles Rams 31-28 in Week 13 sure feels like ages ago, with the two teams set for a second bout during Wild Card Weekend at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, January 10.
Los Angeles is a huge road favorite with Carolina limping into the postseason, and my early Rams vs. Panthers predictions and NFL picks are calling for L.A. to leave the Tar Heel State with a convincing win to start the postseason.
Rams vs Panthers predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
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Early Rams vs Panthers spread pick: Rams -10.5
I have no confidence in the Carolina Panthers pulling off the home upset Sunday afternoon, so the only question is how many points is too many points to lay with the Los Angeles Rams?
This isn’t too many points, just yet.
Carolina limped into the postseason with a 1-3 record following a Week 14 bye, and the Panthers also posted a minus-69 point differential while ranking 25th in DVOA for the year.
It was a different story for the Rams.
Los Angeles didn’t cruise down the stretch either, but still finished the year with a plus-172 point differential while ranking second in DVOA. L.A. also paced the NFL in points per game (30.5), and Carolina finished 27th (18.3).
The underlying numbers paint a similar picture.
Carolina finished 26th in EPA per play while allowing the 10th-highest mark, and Los Angeles respectively checked in ranked second and seventh-lowest.
Of course, then there is the quarterback conversation.
Rams veteran Matthew Stafford is the betting favorite in the NFL MVP odds, and Panthers QB Bryce Young ranked below average in EPA+CPOE composite, completion percentage, and yards per attempt.
This will also be the first postseason start for Young, while Stafford has 10 playoff starts under his belt.
Early Rams vs Panthers total pick: Under 46.5
I don’t anticipate the Carolina offense having enough success against Los Angeles to put up enough points for this total to go Over the number.
The Rams should carve out a comfortable early lead and shift into cruise control on offense, while their defense will force the Panthers to be one-dimensional on offense and lean on Young to attack through the air.
Los Angeles generated pressure at the seventh-highest clip during the regular season despite blitzing at the second-lowest rate, too, so the Rams will give Young trouble with Carolina ranking 30th in pass block win rate.
The Rams also finished the regular season first in PFF run defense grade and seventh in run defense DVOA while allowing the sixth-lowest rushing success rate.
Rams vs Panthers odds
- Rams vs. Panthers spread: Panthers +10.5
- Rams vs. Panthers moneyline: Rams -500, Panthers +385
- Rams vs. Panthers Over/Under: 46.5
How to watch Rams vs Panthers
- Rams vs. Panthers matchup
- Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026, 4:30 p.m. ET
- City: Charlotte, NC
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- TV: FOX
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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