The Los Angeles Rams overcame a late deficit against the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round when Matthew Stafford found Colby Parkinson for a game-winning touchdown.
The veteran quarterback didn’t have his greatest performance as he completed just 57.1% of his passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Stafford looked particularly shaky over the final two quarters, which came after he hit his finger on another player’s helmet in the first half.
“I got a finger bent back,” Stafford explained. “They saw it on the TV on the sideline. I didn’t know exactly what had happened. It wasn’t pleasant. Wasn’t great. We’ll see what it is. I was obviously able to finish the game and throw it decent. Once the ball is snapped, the adrenaline is pretty good so we’ll hopefully just keep it going.”
Stafford underwent X-rays after the game and they fortunately came back negative, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
From @NFLGameDay: X-Rays were negative on #Rams QB Matthew Stafford's finger after delivering an "MVP-like" performance; Meanwhile, #Bills QB Josh Allen is dealing with an old bone issue in his foot but is at no further risk of reinjury. He's ready to roll. pic.twitter.com/Yp0jLTWm32
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2026
Stafford was seen shaking his hand after making contact with the helmet but he didn’t miss any snaps and ultimately led the Rams to a last-minute win over the Panthers on the road.
Stafford is one of the toughest players in the NFL and he likely would’ve continued playing even if he did sustain a fracture or break.
The Rams quarterback will now get a chance to rest his hand ahead of the Divisional Round next week, which will see them take on either the Seattle Seahawks or Chicago Bears.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford wanted to ‘snatch’ Panthers’ hearts
Stafford has made a living on fourth quarter and overtime game-winning drives, and he needed to dig deep into his bag to lead the Rams to another come-from-behind victory.
On the game-clinching possession, Stafford spread the football out to all his receivers before lofting a beautiful pass to Colby Parkinson in the end zone.
Davante Adams was involved on the drive and before it began, he revealed that Stafford wanted to “snatch” the Panthers’ hearts.
“That was pretty cold, just to hear that,” Adams said, recalling the moment postgame. “And I actually literally smiled in the moment, because I thought that was like one of the most gangster things you could say in that moment, honestly. And to hear him say that, and the look on his on his face, and then throw the touchdown, and then the look on his face after that, was just MVP stuff.”
