The Los Angeles Rams are the hottest team in the NFC, and the Carolina Panthers might be among the teams with the most to prove.
The Rams visit the Panthers for Sunday afternoon’s game in Charlotte, N.C.
Los Angeles (9-2) has won six games in a row and holds a one-game edge on Seattle in the NFC West. The Rams have their longest winning streak in seven years.
The Panthers (6-6) had a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the NFC South but lost 20-9 to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Carolina remains only a half-game behind Tampa Bay as it tries to snap a two-game homefield skid before going into a bye week.
“They’re hungry to get back to work,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “They’re hungry for another opportunity to play against a formidable opponent. … They’re all high-stakes games, especially now at this point in the season.”
So having come up short in that high-profile opportunity, the only way for the Panthers to game redemption will be with a strong performance against one of the league’s top teams.
“It just boils down to execution,” Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said. “You’ve got to be able to turn the page, good or bad.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for 30 touchdowns with two interceptions.
“He’s distributing the ball well to a bunch of different wide receivers,” Canales said. “He’s getting the ball out fast. He has a group that he really trusts.”
Davante Adams’ nine TD receptions in a five-game span ties a Rams record.
It’s a rare quick turnaround for the Panthers, with a Monday night game and cross-country trip home.
“The good part of it is at this point of the season we know what we’re doing,” Canales said of the squeezed preparation time. “We know the concepts.”
Potentially atop the list of concerns for Carolina is the status of cornerback Jaycee Horn, who intercepted two passes Monday night before sitting out the second half as he was in the concussion protocol. Linebacker Claudin Cherelus also is in the protocol.
The Panthers will need to address secondary strategy with safety Tre’Von Moehrig suspended for one game for striking San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings in the groin area Monday night. Carolina lost cornerback Corey Thornton for the rest of the season because he sustained a broken leg Monday.
The Panthers brough on cornerback Robert Rochell off Dallas’ practice squad and added cornerback David Long Jr. to their practice squad.
“They’ve got to come help us out,” Canales said. “They’ve got to contribute.”
The Rams had good news on their injury updates with receiver Tutu Atwell and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon expected to come off injured reserve to play this week, coach Sean McVay said.
“Our offensive coaching staff have done a really good job of highlighting a bunch of different people, and getting Tutu back into the mix is going to be another opportunity for them to do that,” McVay said.
Even with Rams linebacker Byron Young (knee) out of Wednesday’s practice, he should play Sunday, McVay said. Tight end Nick Vannett was signed off the practice squad.
There could be familiarity between the teams as ex-Rams safeties/secondary coach Ejiro Evero is Carolina’s defensive coordinator.
Los Angeles has allowed a league-low 16.3 points per game. The Panthers have had single-digit point totals in each of their last three losses.
Bryce Young is very much aware of the pass rush that the Rams unleash.
“Individually, they do a great job of creating 1-on-1s, winning those 1-on-1s,” he said. “They’ve been able to do that all year. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”
