Matthew Stafford’s late heroics lift Rams past Panthers in wild-card thriller

Matthew Stafford learned of his first-ever first-team All-Pro enactment connected Saturday. 

Several hours later, Stafford jogged onto the tract successful Charlotte soon earlier the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers opened this year’s NFL postseason.

Stafford, an NFL MVP candidate, proceeded to technologist 2 fourth-quarter scoring drives to rally for a 34-31 win. The wild-card circular triumph besides punched the Rams a summons to adjacent week’s NFC divisional round.

While the Rams were the favorites entering Saturday's game, it took a 19-yard touchdown walk from Stafford to choky extremity Colby Parkinson successful the game's last infinitesimal to unafraid the victory.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Los Angeles Rams choky extremity Colby Parkinson catches a 19-yard touchdown walk successful the 4th fourth of a NFC Wild Card crippled astatine Bank of America Stadium, Saturday, successful Charlotte, N.C. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

After a speedy start, Stafford did look to injure a digit connected his throwing manus earlier halftime. The Rams nursed a slim three-point pb erstwhile some teams headed to their respective locker rooms astatine the extremity of the 2nd quarter.

RAMS' MATTHEW STAFFORD NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-PRO QUARTERBACK OVER PATRIOTS' DRAKE MAYE AMID HEATED MVP RACE

The Panthers and Rams exchanged tract goals successful the 3rd 4th to support Los Angeles' constrictive pb heading into the game's last frame. The 3rd 4th was highlighted by Stafford's lone interception of the afternoon.

Bank of America Stadium connected Saturday successful Charlotte, N.C. (David Jensen/Getty Images)

Bryce Young’s touchdown walk to Jalen Coker enactment the Panthers up 31-27 with little than 3 minutes remaining, but Stafford drove the Rams 71 yards successful 2 minutes. The thrust was capped by Parkinson’s tightrope drawback for the winning score, and the defence held.

Los Angeles Rams backmost Matthew Stafford throws against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, astatine Bank of America Stadium. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The Rams are backmost successful the divisional circular for the 2nd consecutive season. Last year, they were 13 yards distant from eliminating Philadelphia earlier a sack and an incomplete walk ended their play with a 28-22 loss.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Rams present await the remainder of the wild-card circular results to larn who they volition look successful the divisional round.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.