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00:00How about Bryce Young and the Panthers, right in the mix for playoff contention out of the NFC South.
00:06They get set to host one of the hottest teams in the NFL and arguably the hottest quarterback in Matthew Stafford of the Rams.
00:20From Charlotte, the Fox NFL pre-kick is presented by Nationwide.
00:25Nationwide is on your side.
00:27A key matchup, one of the best of the week in Week 13 on this final day of November.
00:32The 9-2 Rams riding a six-game win streak visit.
00:36The 6-6 Carolina Panthers, as we welcome inside the booth, Adam Amin, future all-of-favorite Drew Brees.
00:41Christina Pink is with us today as well.
00:43So not only do the Rams have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Matthew Stafford's playing great.
00:46They've got two of the best receivers, Kuka Nakua, Devontae Adams.
00:49On top of that, their defense looked great on Sunday against Tampa Bay in a dominant performance.
00:53They're the number one scoring defense.
00:55It's a very good Rams team right now.
00:56Yeah, unless they're probably one of the best offensive lines they've had in the McVay area.
01:00They've got three outstanding tight ends.
01:01It's really the most complete team in football, and they're playing like it right now.
01:04The six-game win streak.
01:05They come in red hot.
01:07The Panthers all of a sudden find themselves only a half game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first place.
01:12This is a position that really they haven't been in this deep into the season in a while.
01:16No, and look, at times they've played really well this season.
01:18It's just been inconsistent.
01:19But if they want to have a chance today, they have to play with a heightened sense of urgency
01:22and really take the fight to the Rams.
01:25Kind of beat them at their own game.
01:26Run the football effectively.
01:27You cannot give the ball enough to Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard.
01:30This is going to be a big task, especially with some injuries on the back end.
01:34Christina Pink will have some key news coming up before we kick it off from Charlotte
01:38with a key matchup in Week 13, Rams and Panthers.
01:44Fox Sports welcomes you to the following presentation of the National Football League.
01:59Like we talked about at the top, the Panthers are in a position they haven't been in in quite some time.
02:03Christina Pink has more.
02:04KP.
02:05Yeah, Adam, the Panthers not playing for pride these days.
02:08And yes, that is a position a lot of these players have not been in.
02:11Bryce Young telling us we have something to play for.
02:13It's not just for leather the game or pride this time of year.
02:16And that is something we don't have to manufacture.
02:19They're going to have to manufacture a little depth in their secondary, though.
02:21JC Horn is out with a concussion.
02:23And Trayvon Morig is throwing a one-game suspension.
02:26And defensive coordinator Adrio Aveiro telling us nobody cares.
02:30We just have to figure it out.
02:31And that is always the case in this league.
02:33You see Sean McVeigh.
02:34They're one ahead in the loss column against Seattle, which will be in the late window today.
02:39A couple ahead against the 49ers.
02:41The Bears got to nine wins yesterday or on Friday with their win over the Eagles.
02:45That's the battle for the number one seed right now.
02:47Meanwhile, the Panthers could find themselves in first today with a win in an upset and a Buccaneers loss.
02:53Those two teams will face off twice in the final three weeks of the season.
03:00Carolina won the toss and deferred.
03:02So one of the hottest teams and the hottest offenses in the NFL will start on the field.
03:07Ronnie Rivers, big alley.
03:09And it's got to be the kicker Fitzgerald to push him out of bounds near midfield.
03:14Not what you wanted to see if you're the Panthers.
03:16The Rams are in great shape.
03:17However, let's check the penalty flag that was tossed on the play.
03:26Scott Novak is our lead official.
03:28Filling in on this crew for the injured Adrian Hill, who got hurt on that Thursday night game a week and a half ago in Houston.
03:34After the play, personal foul, unnecessary roughness on the kicking team, number 48.
03:41That 15-yard penalty will be added to the dead ball spot.
03:45First down.
03:45Thomas Incombe, the third-year man out of Central Michigan with a bad mistake.
03:50So you get a 45-yard return, a 15-yard penalty.
03:53What better position?
03:55How much easier do you want to make it for one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and one of the hottest offenses?
03:59This is not the way you want to start.
04:01Matthew Stafford playing at an MVP level so far this year.
04:0930 touchdown passes.
04:10He's gone 27 straight touchdowns without an interception.
04:14It's been 10 weeks since his last pick.
04:18He starts his first drive from the 35-plus, and it gets batted down near the line of scrimmage by A'shaun Robinson,
04:25his former Super Bowl champion teammate with the Rams.
04:3130 points per game for this L.A. Rams offense during their six-game win streak.
04:35Yeah, and really, it started up front.
04:37It's probably the best offensive line group that they've had since Sean McVay has been there.
04:42And it's really kind of set the stage for everything that they do with their run game, their play-action game.
04:47You're going to see a lot of snaps under center today.
04:49They lead the league, actually.
04:51The 60-percent of their snaps are under center, but they have the ability just to go shotgun and throw it all around the yard as well.
04:57That's what Stafford's been doing lately.
05:00They use a ton of motion about as much as any team in the league.
05:03Stafford over the middle.
05:05He's got Pukka Nikola, the most targeted receiver in the NFL, fights for a few more yards and a first down.
05:10Panthers defense has not really been the issue.
05:14They've played pretty well over the course of the last five or six weeks.
05:17They held San Francisco to 20 points on Monday night.
05:21Yeah, they played outstanding, especially over the last four games, where it's been a bit of a bend-don't-break,
05:26but they have, you know, been top ten in points allowed, and they've been taking the ball away, which is the key.
05:31But this front four is really going to have to step up and stop this Rams running attack.
05:36They'll try to get going here with Kyron Williams, and he pushes ahead for a few.
05:47Again, you talked about it.
05:48KP gave us the update.
05:50They're without their top two tacklers in Christian Rosebloom, the former Ram, and Trayvon Merrick.
05:55And they're without their best cover corner today at J.C. Horn.
05:58So big wait on Mike Jackson and Shaw Smith-Wade as they've got to battle with the Nakua's and the Adams' of the world.
06:04It is, and that's why I'd expect to see a lot of just kind of shell zone coverage, which is going to be a light box for the run game.
06:10That's why that front, you know, 4-5 is really going to have to step up today.
06:15Staffer off the fake, dumps it off.
06:17It's the tight end, Colby Parkinson, with a convoy of blockers, and he sets up first down and goal.
06:23Warren McClendon, the right tackle, had a very solid block in that grouping.
06:26Yeah, and the Rams are as good as anybody in the league at setting up their screens, wide receiver screens and tight end screens.
06:33In fact, they average more yards per screen call than any other team in the NFL.
06:37It's just one of those parts of the game where the minute you think you've got to beat on this offense and, you know,
06:41you're rushing the passer, all of a sudden they slip one of these screens on you, get linemen downfield, and get these chunk plays.
06:46So they do mark it first and ten, just shy of the ten, so technically could get a first down right near the goal line.
06:57There's another screen, nice grab by Nakua up top.
07:00And he works his way down to about the fourth.
07:03So they can do these screens with everybody, like Adams runs a couple, but Nakua can do it, any of the tight ends.
07:08Williams can do it, Coram does it.
07:11They've got all these different weapons.
07:12Yeah, it makes you cover field to field.
07:13And there's Stafford with the old patented, you know, turning two, even though he was a catcher.
07:17He wasn't a shortstop, but he's got all the arm angles.
07:20And Nakua's that guy that you want to get the ball to on the perimeter in the screen game.
07:25In fact, you know, when he's not in the game, it certainly changes what they do on the perimeter,
07:29but he is their weapon with the screen game outside.
07:32This is Devontae Adams' territory.
07:35Red zone and inside the ten.
07:39Adams, touchdown.
07:40Just like that, great field position.
07:43And about as easy of a drive to open a game as Matthew Stafford has had.
07:48You know, they just make it look too easy.
07:50They get Devontae Adams in this tight alignment.
07:53And a lot of times if he's pressed, he might run a fade.
07:55In this case, he gets this off and outside technique right here.
07:59And he's just going to slide right inside.
08:02It's an RPO.
08:03You know, it's a run play.
08:04So Matthew Stafford could turn and hand it off.
08:06But if he feels like he's got the leverage and has the lane,
08:09just that me-to-you combination that's been so deadly this year between him and Devontae Adams.
08:15A league-leading 13th touchdown reception for Devontae Adams in his first year with the Rams.
08:21And Matthew Stafford basically knows exactly where he's going to go when they get inside the ten.
08:26And it's Devontae Adams territory, 116th career touchdown and a handoff for a young Panther fan, too.
08:37Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have been on the same page for a whole year, basically, especially.
08:4428 straight TDs without a pick.
08:46That's now the longest streak in NFL history.
08:48Matthew Stafford breaks a tie with our colleague Tom Brady.
08:51And Devontae Adams continues to be an incredibly productive receiver.
08:56He gets the touchdown to the Rams with an easy start.
08:59And the Stafford's just been unconscious these last eight games.
09:03Harrison Mevis takes over full-time as the thicker kicker for the Rams.
09:09Trevor Etienne, the rookie, with the return.
09:11And a decent one as he gets near the 30-yard line.
09:14Grabbed by Troy Reeder.
09:15Here's Bryce Young taking over at quarterback.
09:21The guy was born in Philadelphia but raised in Los Angeles with a high school in Santa Ana.
09:26He plays the LA Rams for the very first time in his career.
09:29It's been inconsistent.
09:30Two weeks ago, nearly 450 passing yards.
09:33Passing game didn't really get going against San Francisco on Monday.
09:36Yeah, and look, he's got a huge challenge ahead of him today.
09:38But he needs to play with a great sense of urgency.
09:41And just create that tempo and rhythm for the offense as well.
09:44Because they're going to need to keep pace with this Rams offense.
09:48Can they do what they did against Dallas?
09:50Go toe-to-toe with one of the better offenses in the NFL and come away with an upset win.
09:55And they're going to need this guy who had a huge game in that Dallas contest.
09:59But Rico Dowdle gets bottled up.
10:01And big Puna Ford along with Omar Spates are there to stop that Panther rushing attack.
10:07Only six carries on Monday night for Rico Dowdle.
10:10And he expressed his frustrations because of that.
10:12Yeah, and I'd be frustrated too.
10:14I mean, the Panthers run game, and Rico Dowdle especially, is the foundation of this offense.
10:19If you can get him rolling, get him a lot of touches, both in the run game and the pass game,
10:24because he's a very good receiver, that's how you really set the foundation
10:27and create some opportunities on the perimeter for some of these big receivers.
10:31There's Dowdle going to punch himself ahead into Nate Landman.
10:35All this talk about Los Angeles' offense, and rightfully so.
10:41Chris Shula has done a fabulous job with a young defense that continues to get a little older
10:45and a little better and a little older and a little better.
10:48Well, they've done such a phenomenal job over the last three to four years in these draft picks,
10:52in these mid- to late-round draft picks.
10:54And all these guys are now coming into their own and playing so well as a unit.
10:58And the corners, Forbes and Durant, were outstanding last week against Tampa Bay.
11:02They held the Bucs to seven points.
11:06Four-man pressure.
11:08Young with a nice throw to the sideline, and it's a first down for Jalen Poker,
11:12who's done a nice job since coming back from the injury.
11:15He picks up 15 on third down to move the chains.
11:18Look, this is a nice rhythmic throw here on third and long.
11:21And honestly, I think Jalen Poker might be the secret weapon for the Carolina Panthers today
11:26because they're going to run the football.
11:27He's the guy who they bring in motion, tight splits in order to dig out safeties and force.
11:32He's also a big target at the passing game.
11:34Now it's Trouba Hubbard.
11:35So let's see if both Dowdle and Hubbard can get into a rhythm in the run game.
11:40Rico Dowdle got a little banged up, it felt like, on one of his first couple runs.
11:45He's back out onto the field now.
11:46He's battled through a groin injury over the course of the season.
11:52Came off the field after that first play.
11:57Kind of grabbing towards that shoulder again.
11:59He wants the ball.
12:00He's closing in on 1,000 yards.
12:02Really tough dude, but a lot of contact that he's taken this year.
12:13From plus territory on second down, it's Dowdle.
12:15And lunges ahead with Byron Young on the tackle.
12:20Going to bring up third down.
12:21It's interesting the approach the Rams took there with that front.
12:25They just kind of had a heavy front, brought these backers to the edges.
12:27It really became a six-man front.
12:29I think they recognize that the Panthers are going to try to feed these two running backs,
12:34especially Dowdle, just to try to stay ahead of the change and get themselves in the third manageable situations.
12:39That's exactly what Chris Shula told us this week.
12:42We expect them to try to take the air out of the ball like they did against Green Bay.
12:46Dispossess the Rams' excellent offense.
12:48To do that, you've got to convert third down.
12:52Let's stick with the ground game.
12:54And Hubbard burst through for a first down inside the fourth.
12:56It's been a weird year for the run game at times.
13:01Obviously, both running backs have dealt with injuries at various points.
13:05Hubbard had a calf strain, which helped him out for a couple of games in October,
13:09and that allowed Dowdle to come to the forefront.
13:11Hubbard's been a professional, true professional when it comes to all of that.
13:15Dowdle's still on the sidelines.
13:16It's ET in and Hubbard in now.
13:18Yeah, I mean, it's really a dynamic duo.
13:20Both those guys have so much versatility, both in the run game and the pass game.
13:32Sixth run out of seven plays, and Hubbard will punch ahead into spades for a couple.
13:38Look, I like the formula.
13:39Obviously, a lot of run game, and they've got some RPOs on the edge that they haven't thrown yet,
13:43but I think it's a good part of Bryce Young's game.
13:45You know, he has a knack for, you know, being able to kind of hold the ball in the pocket of the running back,
13:50pull it late, deal it to the edge if they get the numbers right.
13:53Dave Canales calling the plays, said he needed to get Dowdle more involved in the run game.
13:58He took accountability for it after Dowdle expressed his frustration both vocally and on social media.
14:03Canales accountable himself.
14:05There's no load here.
14:06Load, load, load.
14:08Hold up.
14:09There you go.
14:09Just hunt.
14:11Extra body for the Rams.
14:12Young on a little slant off target with Coker.
14:15Throw it down at Long coming up.
14:21Yeah, that was a missed opportunity there.
14:22You know, they got a little bit of interior pressure with Landman.
14:27It was just a simple slant route outside.
14:29Ball might have slipped out of his hands.
14:31Not sure, but those are the opportunities you have to take advantage of
14:34because you certainly do not want to be in these third-long situations against this Rams defense.
14:38Rams top ten in sacks, and oftentimes they've done it by just rushing four.
14:43Panthers have been bottom quarter of the league in third-down conversions.
14:49Done it twice on this drive.
14:50Trying to do it again with Hubbard.
14:52Big hole.
14:53There he goes.
14:54Big play to the Hubbard touchdown.
14:59Panthers answer.
15:13So they caught the Rams here just with a lot of interior defenders trying to disguise some sort of a pressure.
15:19You send the tight end in motion.
15:22What that does is just creates numbers on the edge.
15:24So now you've got basically three on two.
15:26The back with the ball in his hands.
15:28Two blockers.
15:29One ceiling.
15:30One kicking out.
15:31And creating that nice run lane for Chuba Hubbard.
15:33Really nice play design on third and long by Dave Canales.
15:37Fitzgerald will tie the game.
15:40The question we ask, can they go toe-to-toe with a really good offense again?
15:44They needed eight yards.
15:45They got 35 for six points.
15:47And Drew said it.
15:49Hubbard's been great in the pass game.
15:51A career-high third touchdown through the air for Hubbard.
15:53We're tied.
15:56Play design by Dave Canales on third and long.
15:59You get two of your bigger body blockers.
16:01Jatavian Sanders tight end.
16:03And then Xavier Liget right here.
16:05Watch how they just kick this thing out.
16:07Seal this and create this nice lane for Chuba Hubbard.
16:10That's the guy you want.
16:12Ball in his hands on the perimeter.
16:13He's such a weapon in the pass game.
16:15Nice on third and long when you can just deal a screen to your running back and let him go make a play.
16:19Great start for the Carolina Panthers.
16:22Impressive response after the Rams scored on their opening drive.
16:26Panthers have scored five opening drive touchdowns and each scores this year in 13 games.
16:31Ronnie Rivers had a good return last time and he bounces off tacklers and takes it past the 30.
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16:53For Matthew Stafford and the Rams who started on the plus 35 for their opening drive will start at the minus 32.
17:00What a fabulous season for the 37-year-old who is one of the odds-on favorites for MVP.
17:06The Rams suddenly the odds-on favorites to win the Super Bowl after what they've done the last month and a half.
17:13Here's Kyron Williams.
17:14Good speed and a first down.
17:16Excellent job by Blake Corum, I should say.
17:21Even with how good their pass game has been,
17:24you kind of forget that these two running backs have done a rock-solid job in Williams and now Corum.
17:29Yeah, they're a dynamic duo of their own.
17:31Obviously, Kyron Williams gets a lot of carries.
17:33He's kind of their nickel bag, catching a lot of balls out of the backfield.
17:36He's one of the best just protectors in the backfield as well.
17:41But, man, Blake Corum can do some things with the ball in his hands.
17:44And he's kind of one of a smaller stature, so you kind of lose him back there sometimes.
17:48Tough for the defender.
17:50Take it to him this time.
17:51Stafford patting the feet over the middle.
17:53Devontae Adams trying to separate.
17:55All the way down inside the 25 of Carolina.
18:00The Rams offense is moving easily so far today.
18:0332 yards.
18:05Yeah, you know, with Stafford and the Rams' ability to get under center and run the football,
18:09it just sets up this play action so well.
18:11And, obviously, you get some of these big targets across the middle.
18:14This is something Devontae Adams has been doing forever.
18:16And, of course, Stafford's ability just to layer the ball in there.
18:21These are the chunk plays that, really, if you're a Carolina Panthers defense, you're trying to limit.
18:24But, you know, just bend but don't break.
18:27Obviously, get down to the red zone.
18:28This becomes the key situation in the game for them.
18:36Stafford wheels that screen.
18:38Here's Nakua.
18:39And into the red zone.
18:40Throw the Rams.
18:42The second down coming up.
18:44They just do so much of this.
18:45And, really, to me, their screen game is an extension of their run game.
18:48Yeah.
18:48You know, it's a very high percentage throw.
18:52You're getting blockers out in front.
18:54And you're getting into one of the most dynamic players' hands on your team
18:58and in the league, Puka Nakua.
19:00And you got Adams to deal with on the other side.
19:02Again, a huge challenge for Mike Jackson, who's matched up with Adams.
19:06And Nakua on the other side against guys like Shaw Smith, Wade, and Caleb Evans.
19:12Carolina's in its base defense right now.
19:14Here's one play for Nakua.
19:17And he's got the first down.
19:22This is where the Rams were on the opening drive.
19:24They go to Devontae Adams in this area of the field.
19:27He's got 13 touchdown receptions this year.
19:3111 of them have come from the red zone.
19:34Nine of them have come from the five-yard line and in.
19:37This is his territory.
19:39He had this connection with Rodgers.
19:40He's got it with Stafford.
19:41It's pretty demoralizing for a defense when you know exactly what they're going to do.
19:45He's either going to run a fade or he's going to run one of these quick bullet slants.
19:49And you still can't stop him.
19:52There's the fake.
19:53Looking in Adams' direction.
19:55He got covered up.
19:56So right back underneath to Xavier Smith,
19:59who missed the game last week with a concussion against Tampa Bay.
20:03He ends up picking up four yards on the play.
20:05You see he's got the Guardian cat on.
20:07Well, you said it.
20:08They want to go to Adams when they get in the red zone.
20:10You really had kind of an in-and-out coverage there.
20:14So they took that away.
20:16Stafford.
20:16Man, Stafford was hanging on it.
20:17He was wanting to throw in the end zone.
20:20He's like, all right, if I have to throw the check down, I'll throw the check down.
20:23I guess I'll settle for the check down.
20:25I'll settle for the check down.
20:26Positive play.
20:27Five-yard goal.
20:28Still haven't had a third down yet, the Rams.
20:31It's the second and six.
20:34That action fake.
20:36Stafford rolls.
20:37Stafford throws.
20:37A little bit of a dangerous pass.
20:39Nakula was trying to hold on.
20:41It's incomplete.
20:45Into a very tight window.
20:46It brings up third down.
20:48Yeah, I think Stafford got a little greedy here.
20:51You know, they do such a good job, again, setting up this play-action boot game.
20:54But really, it's Colby Parkinson right here as the outlet as to where he wants to go.
20:58But, I mean, if there's a guy who can make tight window throws, it is Matthew Stafford.
21:02Nakula has had a bunch of those diving catches in the end zone in his NFL career.
21:12Third down and six.
21:14They can get a first down at the two.
21:16Stafford.
21:17And there's the first interception in ten weeks for Matthew Stafford.
21:28It was deflected by Derrick Brown.
21:30Panthers had three first-half interceptions against Brock Purdy last week.
21:38Brown off the head and into the hands of Stafford's former teammate Scott.
21:42Big stop, Carolina.
21:43It was only the eighth streak of 300-plus passes in NFL history without an interception.
21:51Stafford's ends at 318.
21:53Zach Bond had the last interception for Philadelphia in week three until Nick Scott had a look what
21:58I found moment off the helmet of Derrick Brown.
22:01And from the 20 is where Bryce Young and the Panthers take over and a little shovel up ahead
22:06for one of their tight ends.
22:09This ends up being Mitchell Evans, the rookie out of Notre Dame, who ends up getting shoved
22:14out by Nate Landman.
22:15Back to the pick.
22:16Yeah, so take a look at Derrick Brown right here.
22:19This is what all good defensive linemen do, is that whenever you get double teamed and you
22:23know you're not going to get to the quarterback, you immediately look to jump up and get your
22:26hands on the ball.
22:28And typically, Stafford does a great job with his eyes of being able to manipulate defenders
22:32not only down the field, but D-Lyman to get around them, but not that time.
22:35Big paw of Derrick Brown leads to the Scott interception.
22:40After the pickup of seven for Evans, they go right back to the ground game.
22:43Dowell gets tripped up by Tank McCullough.
22:47No gain on the play.
22:49You're without two of your best defensive players, Merrick and Horn, so a lot more weight on
22:54two, arguably, I don't even think it's an argument, the best defensive lineman for Carolina.
22:57Yeah, and he told us this week, he said, hey, we're going to have to step up as a defensive
23:01line.
23:01We understand we're a bit short-handed in our secondary.
23:03We're just going to have to just keep the top on the coverage, and a lot of that burden
23:07is going to fall on us to stop them in the run game, and then be able to make plays like
23:11that.
23:11Carolina's going to need to create some turnovers in this game and some opportunities.
23:19Empty set on third and three.
23:21Long pass, and it's through the hands of Tommy Trimble.
23:26Tight end could not haul it in.
23:28Again, those are the types of plays that Carolina has to convert.
23:30And it's fourth down, they'll have to punt this away.
23:33Look, they got what they wanted.
23:34They had man-to-man across the board.
23:37You know, Bryce is just looking for his best matchup, his best leverage, just a simple out
23:41route to Tommy Trimble.
23:42But this is where you got to keep the chains moving.
23:45Put drives together.
23:46Try to get points.
23:47Keep, more importantly, keep your defense off the field.
23:50Keep the Rams' offense off the field.
23:53Unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalize on that turnover that their defense created.
23:56But, you know, there's going to be a little bit of this back and forth.
23:58Similar to what we saw on Monday night.
24:00They had those three interceptions.
24:01They only had three points in the first half off those giveaways.
24:05Sam Martin punts it away.
24:07And it's a fair catch on a 45-yard punt to Xavier Smith.
24:12Rams' offense back out onto the field.
24:16The Panthers trying to stick with the hottest team in the NFC.
24:20This Carolina defense got a takeaway with a couple of guys that have already made an impact
24:26that used to play for the Rams.
24:27And, of course, Adro Evero spent five years as a Rams assistant, was part of that Super Bowl
24:31title team.
24:32And their defense over the last month-plus has been much sharper.
24:35Rams take over at their own 28-yard line.
24:41And they start with a run for Kyron Williams.
24:43A good one on first down.
24:46Let's get a game break NFC West style.
24:48Carissa Thompson's with SCT.
24:49Let's do that.
24:50Adam Niners fighting for a playoff spot.
24:52Taking on the Browns.
24:53Chris McCaffrey takes it right up the middle for his 13th touchdown of the season.
24:57Niners in front.
24:587-0.
24:59Adam?
25:01Rams at that Thursday night overtime loss against San Francisco.
25:05Came back a few weeks ago, and Sean McVay got the win.
25:09They've got the advantage on both Seattle and San Francisco and the NFC West
25:12interaction today.
25:15A couple of runs.
25:16Nice spin move by Kyron Williams for a first down.
25:22This Rams offense, another thing they can do is, not only with all the personnel groupings
25:27they hit you with, but it's just kind of dialing up and down the tempo.
25:30And they were right out of the huddle, up to the ball.
25:32Quick handoff inside zone to Kyron Williams.
25:35Just trying to give him the ability to make some guys miss.
25:40Do some of the things that he does best to just get the ball in his hands, let him get
25:44after it.
25:47Excellent college career.
25:48All-American at Notre Dame has been excellent three years in the league.
25:51Deep drop.
25:53Stafford wants something downfield.
25:55Takes a shot.
25:56And it's incomplete.
25:58Terrence Ferguson with great effort.
26:01But could not get inbounds.
26:02And to bring up second down, the rookie out of Oregon, their second-round pick.
26:06Yeah, they had an opportunity here.
26:07They were clearing out that front side with double post.
26:10And then here's Terrence Ferguson.
26:12He was actually open right away.
26:13It looked like Stafford double-clutched it.
26:15Didn't quite see him right away.
26:17And unfortunately, got too close to the sideline.
26:19That was a missed big play opportunity for the LA Rams.
26:23Impressive play by Ferguson, even though it was out of bounds.
26:26He's a big play threat.
26:2727 yards per catch on his five NFL catches so far.
26:36Four-man rush.
26:37Stafford into a tight window to McCoy.
26:40Picked off by Mike Jackson.
26:42And Jackson gets the block to take it home.
26:57There is a flag on the near side.
27:04But a touchdown for Jackson.
27:07Yeah, pretty common route combination.
27:10Something the Rams do all the time.
27:12There is no foul for a blindside block.
27:15It's a touchdown.
27:17Mike Jackson just sits all over that.
27:20Unfortunately, Matt Stafford leaves it just a little bit behind.
27:23Picking the corner.
27:23That's all it takes.
27:24Great job jumping in.
27:27Look, unfortunately, sometimes the touchdowns come in bunches.
27:30And then the interceptions come in bunches.
27:32Back-to-back drives where the Carolina Panthers defense has come up huge.
27:36318 throws without a pick.
27:38He's thrown two on his last three tosses.
27:41And how about Mike Jackson, who had that dropped interception against Green Bay about a month ago.
27:45Got the pick in the end zone last week.
27:47Looked at the camera and said, I made up for it.
27:49Remember that drop?
27:50Well, he made up for it even more this week with a pick six.
27:5448-yard return.
27:58And Fitzgerald makes it a 14-7 game.
28:02I've called both of Mike Jackson's touchdowns in his NFL career.
28:05One came off a blocked field goal when he was with the Seattle Seahawks.
28:08This pick six gives Carolina a touchdown lead on the 9-2 Rams.
28:15Matthew Stafford throws a pick six for the first time in over two years when Deron Bland of Dallas had one.
28:23Mike Jackson gets this one and gives Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers a lead on the Rams.
28:29The Rams are trailing for the first time since they were down 3-0 against Baltimore in week six.
28:36A game that they would eventually win 17-3.
28:40Rivers has had a few good returns already.
28:43And he'll get back to the 30-yard line.
28:45But the flag is thrown on the play.
28:57Legal formation on a kicking team.
29:00Number 33 left early.
29:02Five yards will be added to the dead ball spot.
29:04First down in Los Angeles.
29:06That's the former Ram, Robert Rochelle.
29:08So an extra five for Stafford, who had only thrown two picks.
29:11They both came in the first three games of the season.
29:14And he's had two on the last three passes he's thrown.
29:18It's only the third time in 234 starts that he's thrown two first-quarter interceptions.
29:23Yeah, well, they just woke this crowd up.
29:24And I think the music just got a little bit louder, too.
29:26This place is rocking.
29:27Yeah, they brought in the Mo Bamba to get the crowd on its feet.
29:32Pressure coming from Carolina.
29:33That gets picked up nicely.
29:35And that opens up Xavier Smith with speed and a spin and a first down.
29:39All the way down inside the Carolina 40.
29:44That catches in six straight games he's played in.
29:46That's a 27-yard game.
29:48Yeah, this is near a veteran quarterback.
29:50You're like, hey, coach, my bad.
29:51Let's keep throwing this thing.
29:52I'm going to get back on track.
29:54A little bit of a coverage miscommunication there, which opened up the big play opportunity.
29:59But, look, this is something I think they're going to be able to do all day.
30:02They just need to stay patient.
30:03They recognize, look, let's get back on track.
30:06Let's utilize this quick passing game.
30:08Run the ball.
30:09Throw in the screen game.
30:10That is what this offense is all about.
30:12And they're back to their 13 personnel look here with Parkinson, Allen, and Ferguson.
30:16They're going to run the ball out of that formation.
30:21And what a nifty move by Coram.
30:23And another spin off its tackle.
30:26All the way down to the 23-yard line.
30:28And one of those tight ends had a nice block on that play.
30:31Yeah, the Rams do as good a job of anybody of movement with these receivers and tight ends.
30:36And a lot of times it's just these short, subtle movements where they're leading up on backers.
30:40They're kicking out defensive ends.
30:42But it just opens up these gaping holes for these running backs and big play opportunities.
30:47Well, the Rams are looking for one after the Panthers are off to a hot start.
30:51A seven-point lead through one in Charlotte.
30:57Well, the takeaways for Carolina have been a factor.
31:00They've had five interceptions in the last five quarters against these two NFC West opponents in San Francisco and L.A.
31:08That yardage, though, is pretty good for the Rams so far to try to keep that run game going.
31:12Yeah, but this is the strategy for this defense is bend, don't break, and create turnovers.
31:17And so far, that's been the story.
31:19That was the formula coming in.
31:21They executed it for a quarter.
31:23Here comes Coram.
31:24Nice.
31:24Caught back by Blake Coram.
31:26Maybe a little angry after the Michigan loss yesterday.
31:28So he's going to try to take it out on Carolina's defense.
31:31He picks up six.
31:32Yeah, there was a lot of smack being talked there at the big house yesterday from some Michigan alums.
31:38But Brady's sitting on his couch somewhere today after he called the Thanksgiving game.
31:44Yeah, this Rams offense, what, 20 total snaps.
31:48Six of those plays have been 10-plus yards.
31:51So they're getting the chunk plays, but that has to result in touchdowns.
31:59Stafford checks to the second play.
32:07Swing it out.
32:08Here's one of the tight ends in Parkinson who's been hot as of late.
32:12And he picks up the first down.
32:13Shaw Smith-Wade got matched up with the tight end.
32:16Remember that Tyler Higbee suffered that ankle injury a couple of weeks ago against Seattle.
32:20So he's on IR now.
32:22Parkinson has really stepped up lately.
32:24Allen's had a nice year.
32:26And Ferguson's going to get more chances for McVay.
32:28Look, it's an embarrassment of riches on this entire L.A. Rams offense.
32:32But when you look at these three tight ends and the way that they've been able to utilize those guys, especially over the last six to seven weeks, not only in the run game, but also in the passing game.
32:40Stafford, rolling, slinging, end zone, and it's off target for Ferguson.
32:52Two guys in the end zone.
32:57Ferguson closes two, and it brings up second down.
32:59You know what?
33:00This is just veteran quarterback seeing a window where he wants the receiver to slow down, and the young receiver just flying through that zone.
33:08And then after the play, Stafford's just looking at him saying, hey, settle in there.
33:13That's the zone window.
33:15Just kind of throttle it down.
33:16Understand where you are, right?
33:18Get open.
33:18Stay open.
33:19Don't run through the window.
33:23Devontae Adams, top side.
33:28Stafford.
33:29Little screen play.
33:31Here comes Davis Allen, and he gets upended by Nick Scott.
33:35So they're in position on third down.
33:38Just outside the five-yard line.
33:42Here we go.
33:43This is the formula, and this is where the game's going to be won or lost for the Carolina Panthers.
33:47I would expect the Rams to be driving the field all day long, but when they get in the red zone, this is where you tighten up.
33:53This is where you get them off the field, make them kick field goals, or so far it's been taking the ball away.
34:08Adams nearside now.
34:13Stafford rolling to his right.
34:15Plants and throws.
34:16Back of the end zone, right on cue.
34:18Devontae Adams in the red zone.
34:19Another multi-touchdown day.
34:25It's 11 scores in the last six games for Adams, and the Rams are an extra point away from tying it.
34:32That's a really good job by Stafford just extending this play.
34:35But watch Devontae Adams.
34:36He's going to run this deep in route.
34:38When it's not there, you're taught to retrace.
34:40So it feels the quarterback in trouble.
34:42You retrace along the back line, kind of use the momentum of the corner against him.
34:46And that's just then that me to you.
34:49Stafford is good as anybody of just finding those tight windows and delivering the ball to his playmakers.
34:5614 touchdown receptions to lead the NFL for Devontae Adams.
35:01Mevis adds the extra point.
35:04And in the red zone, who do you look to?
35:06Number 17.
35:07A dozen touchdowns in the red zone from Stafford to Adams this year.
35:12We're tied at 14.
35:16Are there a group of receivers having more fun than these L.A. Rams right now?
35:20Puka's trying to—he's trying to give him the alley-oop.
35:23Oh, Devontae wanted to go between the legs.
35:26Even the custom brand Jordan gloves couldn't help him.
35:29Rip back, get it between the legs.
35:31It's all right.
35:32Back to the drawing board.
35:33We'll work on that this week.
35:34And Devontae Adams continues to stay red-hot for this Rams offense.
35:39You see that 28th career game with multiple touchdowns.
35:46He's had four of those games in the last six.
35:49Returned by Trevor Etienne, and he's not going to make the 30.
35:52Good coverage by the Rams.
35:54Speaking of hoops, I was just in Florida.
35:56I watched a great Michigan State team.
35:58I think they're going to have a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
36:01And the Boozer twins, and in particular Cameron for the Duke Blue Devils, really good stuff.
36:07They had a good game against Arkansas this week.
36:09Marquee matchup next Saturday.
36:11Duke and Michigan State from the Breslin Center on Fox.
36:15Not if my Purdue Boilermakers have anything to say about it.
36:17Number one team in the country.
36:18Number one team in the country, Purdue, baby.
36:20Let's not forget it.
36:21Matt Payne has got those boys going.
36:23That is a really deadly group.
36:30Bryce Young and company from the 26th.
36:33We'll start with Truba Hubbard.
36:34And he muscles ahead.
36:36Space is there for the stop after games for.
36:40Yeah.
36:42A little bit different look for the Carolina Panthers.
36:45You know, they get this heavy personnel grouping.
36:47And, you know, interesting with this Rams defense and their ability to, a lot of times they don't necessarily match the personnel of the offense that they're going against.
36:56They just play the situation.
36:57They incorporate more dime coverage than any team in the league right now with over a third of their snaps are in dime.
37:03So they've got so many guys incorporated into this defense.
37:07Right back to Hubbard.
37:08Nice burst.
37:09And he lunges ahead for the first down to the 37-yard line.
37:13Both of these units, Carolina's offense and the Rams defense, are missing some key pieces.
37:19Carolina's on its 10th different offensive line combination in 13 games this year.
37:25That's nuts.
37:26They're starting Jake Curhan at right guard for the first time.
37:29And then for the Rams defense, they've been without Quinton Lake now for a couple of weeks after he got hurt.
37:33So he's that really versatile chess piece that they're missing right now.
37:41Stick with Hubbard.
37:43Gets to the edge.
37:44A nice run on first down.
37:45Running into Nate Landman.
37:47Just signed an extension for this Rams defense in his first season with L.A.
37:52He saw a lot of the Panthers the last few years as a member of the Falcons.
37:55He's been excellent so far for L.A.
37:57I mean, well-deserved.
37:58He is such a key piece for them at that middle linebacker position.
38:02Such a vocal leader.
38:04It was awesome talking to him.
38:05Former rugby player.
38:06Born in Zimbabwe.
38:08Lived in South Africa for a long time.
38:11But, yeah, he's the guy that makes a lot of things happen on that defense.
38:15Oh, Young faked the pitch to Hubbard.
38:17He's got all the room in the world to run.
38:19Bryce Young gets a block and takes it down to the 35-yard line.
38:2724 yards to the left side wide open.
38:33Look, this is what makes Bryce Young really unique.
38:35His ability to make plays outside the pocket.
38:37And he really just makes it look effortless.
38:39Obviously, they've been running the ball effectively, so they got a lot of tension on it.
38:43And it's not like they really had a receiver in the flat back there that was holding a defender.
38:49You know, everything was going right, which just left this huge void in that defense for Bryce Young to go make a big play.
38:57His longest run of the season at 24 yards, in fact.
39:01Young pumps.
39:02Young throws.
39:03It's McMillan.
39:04Oh, he could not hold on.
39:05And a tough, crunching hit from Emmanuel Forbes.
39:11Tough spot to throw that ball down the sideline for Young and McMillan.
39:14It's second down.
39:15I thought for a second that maybe McMillan could have been considered a defenseless player here, too.
39:23Yeah, well, if you watch Tommy Trimble, it looks like he is wide open up the seam there.
39:26And Bryce just doesn't quite see him.
39:28And then what happens is they try to overlap that corner to make up for it, which opens up that lane outside.
39:34Just missed by six inches.
39:37Looks like the contact from the Forbes was not forcible.
39:39That was clean.
39:40He takes it down inside the 30-yard line to the 26.
39:51That's a good maintenance play to set up third down and short.
39:53Look, I like the variety.
39:54The Panthers are saying, hey, we can throw tight end screens, too.
39:57But it's been a healthy dose of this run.
39:59Obviously, a bit of that, you know, QB keep, which set up, you know, this almost close to the red area opportunity.
40:08And then you mix in a screen.
40:09But again, it's these third and shorts.
40:11This is the world they want to live in.
40:14See their play selection.
40:15They're pretty balanced so far, especially after what Dowdle and Canales talked about earlier in this week,
40:21trying to get more of the run game involved.
40:23Young, to his left, goes underneath.
40:30This is a tough play, and Tommy Tremble's not going to make it.
40:33Excellent job by Byron Young.
40:36The stalwart third-year linebacker prevents Tremble from getting to the line to gain.
40:41He tried to extend, obviously, but didn't make it.
40:44That's going to be close.
40:46Like the play design.
40:47And at this point right here, you know, does he reach and get the ball across before he goes out of bounds?
40:55He did, but still short, I think.
40:57I think they spotted it right about where it needed to be a yard shy.
41:02Here we go!
41:03Two downs!
41:04Big fourth down.
41:05It's Dowdle with Tremble throwing the block this time.
41:09And Dowdle, who had been limited to one yard per carry on his first four tries,
41:14picks up six to keep the Carolina offense on the field.
41:17Man, I like this.
41:18You know, typically you get fourth and short, man.
41:20They're just going to stack the interior, just trying to take away the QB sneak.
41:23A lot of time that opens up these exterior run opportunities.
41:26Good job on the perimeter with these tight ends and tackles.
41:30Just covering up blocks and giving Dowdle the opportunity to hit a crease and go.
41:34Nobody's had more fourth down conversions in the NFL than Carolina.
41:37That was their 19th.
41:39Part of that was playing from behind.
41:40Part of that is being very aggressive.
41:43And they've been successful.
41:44Converting well above league average.
41:47Two out of every three this year.
41:49Here's Hubbard with the cutback.
41:51And he gets north and south.
41:53We'll check the penalty marker thrown in the middle of the field.
42:00Holding.
42:01Offense number 84.
42:02Our camera crew is right on top of it on Mitchell Evans.
42:08Yeah, anytime you have these interior zone runs and then all of a sudden they bounce, that's
42:12when you have the tendency to all of a sudden right there, that little bit of a grab with
42:16the left hand on the inside of the pad, you feel that kind of jerk on the defensive lineman.
42:22That's what the officials are looking for and the flag's going to come out every time.
42:27Curious to see if penalties play a factor.
42:29These are two of the lower penalized teams in the NFL.
42:32This one sets Carolina back 10 to the 28.
42:34Jimmy Horn Jr. in motion.
42:40They give it to Hubbard.
42:41And inside the 25.
42:43So we hit the halfway point of the second quarter.
42:47Yeah, look, nobody wants the negative play, but you just have to chip away at it, try to
42:50get yourself back into a third manageable here.
42:52At some point, they're going to have to throw it and try to get a chunk.
42:55Maybe it's a screen.
42:55But you're getting, getting some pretty soft zone coverage right now from, from the Rams.
43:15On second and long.
43:17Oh, they throw it underneath for Hubbard.
43:19Trying to make up some ground.
43:20Forbes was there with Landon.
43:23And third down and long coming up.
43:25For Carolina.
43:28This should be fun here.
43:30I really, you watch these Carolina Panthers receivers trot out.
43:34It is a good looking group.
43:37The biggest receiver core in the league.
43:39All of them, 6'5", 6'4", 6'4", 6'3".
43:43It's pretty impressive.
43:45So when you talk about, you know, what's open and what's not open.
43:49When you've got big receivers like that, I don't care if there's little DBs standing right next to them.
43:53There's a place you can throw it to them where they can get it and the other guys can't.
43:56They got Sanders at 6'4", on the top side too.
43:59Out of a tight end formation.
44:01Young, looking at those big receivers.
44:03Avoiding the pressure.
44:04Got away from Fisk.
44:06And he'll be shoved out of bounds by Byron Young.
44:08That easily could have been a loss of yardage.
44:10Jared Verse had a shot at Young as well.
44:14And instead, they'll set up a pretty makeable 33-yard field goal.
44:18Yeah, this is one of Bryce Young's great strengths.
44:20He is really nifty in the pocket.
44:22I mean, we just get a free runner there.
44:25And he's able to make him miss and get to the perimeter.
44:29So, you know, makes up 10 yards there.
44:31Obviously, they're going to attempt the field goal here.
44:33But, you know, his escapability and then ability to just make it look really natural outside the pocket is his strength.
44:39That's saving a play.
44:40Now, again, it took a five-yard loss.
44:42It's still a makeable field goal for Fitzgerald.
44:45But this from 33 gives the Panthers the lead.
44:48This is the type of game management that Bryce Young is starting to get a little better at
44:52as he gets further along as an NFL career.
44:57Here for the Panthers.
44:57They start their year 1-3.
44:59They get blown out by New England.
45:01Then Rico Dowdle steps in.
45:03Big games against Miami and Dallas.
45:04Then they beat the Jets.
45:06They get hurt.
45:07Sorry, Bryce Young gets hurt.
45:08Doesn't play against Buffalo.
45:09They get blown out.
45:10They get the upset win at Lambeau.
45:13The offense starting to hit the skids a little bit, too, in the last three.
45:15They drop one to the Saints.
45:17They only score seven.
45:17They drop a game against San Francisco Monday.
45:20They only score nine.
45:21The defense wasn't the problem in either of those games.
45:23Today, the defense has a touchdown.
45:25And Bryce Young, only three points, but they took a lot of time off the clock on that last
45:29drop.
45:29Yeah, that was key.
45:30This is only the fifth possession for the Rams in this first half.
45:35Oh, that landed in the landing zone.
45:37You've got to return that one or at least take the knee.
45:40So that one's going to have to go out to the 20-yard line.
45:45Nice dirty kickoff from the Panthers.
45:48Panthers have been one of the best dirty kickoff teams in the NFL.
45:51And you see that tough play that Ronnie Rivers had to try and make.
45:54Tracy Smith is the special teams coordinator for the Panthers.
45:58The dirty kickoff has been very common with the new kickoff rules.
46:01And now that Panther defense with two picks and a touchdown in the first quarter for the
46:06first time since they became a franchise in the mid-1990s.
46:10Yeah, look, if you're going to pull off an upset, you need all three phases playing at
46:13a high level.
46:14And I'll tell you what, this defense, they've pretty much gone the way we thought, which
46:17is, it's going to, they're going to drive the field, okay?
46:20They're the most explosive offensive football.
46:22They've got all kinds of weapons.
46:23But find ways to take the ball away.
46:25And they've been able to do that and obviously set up some great opportunities for their
46:28offense.
46:29Special teams making plays as well.
46:30And that's why they're in the lead right now.
46:34Matthew Stafford from the 20.
46:36That'll be a handoff for Kyron Williams.
46:38Good run on first down.
46:40They've got some good ones on first down already.
46:42That one's for six.
46:43Your thoughts just in general on Matthew Stafford.
46:46Obviously, Hall of Fame, but, you know, easily going to make the Hall of Fame.
46:50Just your general thoughts on what you've seen.
46:51Well, I'm going to say this, and I've thought long and hard about this, and I'm not, I don't
46:55say it lightly.
46:56He is probably the most pure passer of the football I have ever seen.
47:00Wow.
47:00Maybe of all time.
47:01There's just something about the way the ball comes out of his hand, the way he's able
47:05to manipulate throws, his accuracy, his consistency, the power that he generates.
47:10It's really amazing.
47:11Penalty marker thrown on this play.
47:15Might be against the Carolina defense.
47:19Offside.
47:20Defense number 99 lined up in the neutral zone.
47:23That's a five-yard penalty.
47:25Turk Warden, who you saw diving off the field to avoid a 12-man penalty in San Francisco on
47:30Monday night.
47:31Do a barrel roll.
47:32It looked like he was playing Call of Duty or something.
47:34This time he got lined up in the neutral zone, so it's a first down either way.
47:37We'll take it to just past the 30 for Stafford.
47:42Restructured that contract, trying to make things a little easier on this Rams front office.
47:47He's been so solid.
47:49Obviously, he has a Super Bowl ring now.
47:51He's over 500 in his NFL career now.
47:54That really goes back to those Detroit days where they were struggling on defense.
47:57He drops back off to play action fake.
48:03Up and down field, and he's going to toss it away.
48:08Second down coming up.
48:09KP, there was some question as to whether or not Stafford would even start the season for
48:13the Rams.
48:13Yeah, as great as he's been at 37 years old, there was a question mark coming in because
48:17he dealt with a back injury, didn't have a training camp, and said it was a little dicey.
48:21Wasn't even sure how he would look when he came out in week one, but Coach McVay telling
48:25us that he did some things outside of the box to get himself ready to play, and he hasn't
48:29looked back, been managing it throughout the season, and he's looked great out there.
48:33They start to kind of cut some of the reps as you get into December, but the practice
48:36is still very intense for Stafford.
48:37Look, he looks as fresh as he's ever been.
48:41Seven down and ten.
48:43Stafford takes a shot for Smith.
48:45With speed, he's got him.
48:50Big play, Xavier Smith takes it for a 51-yard catch, the longest by far of his NFL career.
49:00Yeah, look, Stafford, as good a deep ball thrower as there is, but look at the other two receivers
49:04that are the intermediate routes.
49:06It's Puka Nakula, Stevante Adams, they're drawing all the attention, which allows Xavier
49:11Smith to just run this, what we call a pylon route.
49:14It's this deep corner.
49:15Basically, your aiming point is the pylon, and everybody's wanting to grab those underneath
49:21receivers right around the first down markers, and it opens up that big play.
49:25Just like that, they're in the red zone with a run play for Williams, who takes a shot
49:30from a flying and rookie safety in Latham Ransom.
49:35Fourth-year man out of Ohio State.
49:37Fourth-round pick out of Ohio State, Baker Park.
49:40Eight of four on the plate.
49:42Second down and six for Stafford.
49:43You know, this is when you start thinking about the clock as well.
49:48It's 3.30.
49:50You talk about that middle eight, you know, what's happening in the middle eight of the
49:53game.
49:53Carolina chose to defer.
49:55So if they can somehow get a stop here, get a two-minute drive, and then also get the
49:59kickoff.
50:00Still three timeouts apiece, plus the two-minute warning to come.
50:06Here is Williams.
50:07Good run again, and he takes a crunching ransom hit, but has a first down to the seven-yard
50:12line.
50:14And look, this Carolina defense will hit you.
50:16When you turn on the film, it's coming from all levels, especially in the secondary.
50:22Look, they're having success running the football, but if you can just make them pay, you make
50:27them pay with every shot, those begin to take their toll as the game goes on.
50:34Ransom, who has played about a third of the snaps this season, obviously getting the start
50:38today, his sixth of the year.
50:40First and goal for Los Angeles, and it is Williams with the cut, and he takes it down near the
50:46three-yard line.
50:47They don't have to run a play as we inch closer to the two-minute warning here.
50:52Maybe, just as Drew was talking about setting up how you're going to manage the clock, maybe
50:57not wanting to give Carolina much time at all.
50:59They could take this down to the two-minute warning.
51:01Yeah, it certainly looks like they're being pretty casual right now.
51:05Yep.
51:06So that appears to be their intent.
51:08What a first half it's been.
51:09You see Williams, who's taken a couple of tough body blows.
51:13The last handful of snaps going to the sideline.
51:16Entertaining first half.
51:19The other six early games have six touchdowns combined to them.
51:22We've got four.
51:23What an entertaining first half in Charlotte, the Queen City.
51:25Already seen two touchdowns in this area of the field to Devontae Adams.
51:32Rams have second down and two, or both, I should say, from the two.
51:37McVeigh and Ibero, former colleagues.
51:40Offense versus defense here.
51:43See this Devontae Adams matchup right there.
51:47Against Jackson.
51:48It's a run play.
51:49It is Coram fighting for the end zone.
51:52We'll check the penalty flag, but what a second effort by Blake Coram.
52:02Offside, defense number 11 lined up in a neutral zone.
52:05That foul is declined.
52:07Touchdown.
52:07First touchdown for Blake Coram since week two.
52:11It's the second of his NFL career, and he powered it home.
52:13Look, this was all Blake Coram.
52:15You know, he gets met at the line of scrimmage.
52:16Good job by the Panthers' defensive line of just holding strong there, coming off blocks.
52:21But, man, Blake Coram just keeps churning, she keeps churning, and really that's the strength of who he is.
52:27It's that lower body just power, be able to break tackles and continue to move the pile forward.
52:34The Rams have jumped out in front.
52:39Nevis remains perfect in his four NFL games with the Rams.
52:43Remember what set it up, though?
52:47We're trying to see if Matthew Stafford could get back on track.
52:50He sure did.
52:51Xavier Smith, biggest play of his offensive NFL career, brought him down to the red zone, and it set it up for Coram.
53:02I wish we could get a stuffed crust pizza at a great price.
53:07Get Little Caesars' new large stuffed crunch crust for $9.49.
53:10Look at that delicious crust.
53:13Talk about more bang for your buck.
53:15What did you say?
53:17Deal Deer hates two things.
53:20Bad pizza deals and deer punts.
53:25He's fine.
53:26In $9.49, new large stuffed crunch crust is the lowest price in stuffed crust.
53:29Little Caesars is the real deal.
53:31Pizza, pizza.
53:32Yeah.
53:33No, I love it.
53:34I love it.
53:34You can feast on some Little Caesars, and right now that's what the feast or famine mix has been so far today for the Rams.
53:41Five drives, three touchdowns, two interceptions.
53:47Yeah, look, the Rams are going to drive the ball up and down the field.
53:50I just don't think that the Panthers have the ability to hang with them in the middle, you know, 60 yards of the field.
53:59But it's when they get to the red zone, it's how can they tighten up and be good enough against the run, and yet still have the ability to cover guys like Devontae Adams, who's been such a red zone threat.
54:10And then holding the field goals.
54:11Etienne across the 30-yard line, so the Panthers still have all three of their timeouts.
54:19Bryce Young has an opportunity to drive, and don't forget that the Panthers are slated to receive the second-half kickoff.
54:24Yeah, we talk about this middle eight, you know, the last four minutes of the first half, the first four minutes of the second half.
54:30And this sets up perfectly for the Carolina Panthers.
54:33One minute, 49 seconds, three timeouts.
54:35If you can put together a nice two-minute drive, get points, go in at halftime, receive the ball back, and then go on another one of these long drives.
54:42Because not only are you getting yourself points, but you're keeping this Rams offense off the field for an extended period of time.
54:56There was a clock issue, making sure those are set where they need to be.
55:00Reset to 25, and now starts to move.
55:05And the 34, Bryce Young.
55:06And off Rico Dowdle, hasn't really gotten going that much.
55:13That is the sixth carry of the day for Dowdle, as many as he had on Monday night in San Francisco.
55:19He was doing a little bit better against the Niners.
55:21The Rams have stopped up Dowdle so far today.
55:24Yeah, Chuba has seemed to get a lot of the more kind of gun-run opportunities where, you know, they've been able to extend the Rams' defense a little bit.
55:33Dowdles have been more under-center, kind of hard power-type runs.
55:37He had the one big fourth-down conversion on the previous drive.
55:40But, you know, right now you're okay running the football because of the timeouts you have, but you just want to get that first first-down.
55:46Interesting that neither team called a timeout after that first-down play.
55:50Now it's Dowdle.
55:51There's his best run of the day.
55:53And into Rams' territory.
55:54And now things become interesting with the clock management.
55:58To the 48-yard line, a 17-yard run.
56:01Yeah, look, if you're not going to call the timeout here, which I think they should have because they have three,
56:04and you had a big play, the sense of urgency, sense of urgency.
56:08You want a touchdown here.
56:09You don't want to just set it for a field goal.
56:11That was the word you used at the top, Drew.
56:14Urgency for Bryce Young.
56:15On the rollout.
56:18And kind of waving Lee Get around.
56:20And I thought he had the play there.
56:22I thought he and Lee Get were on the same page, kind of bringing Lee Get back.
56:26He came back to the ball, but the throw was off target there.
56:30Yeah, look, the orchestration was good by Bryce to be able to, you know, vacate the pocket.
56:35You know, that's the first receiver reaction is to go deep.
56:37He waves him back.
56:38But, man, let's just make the play.
56:39Look.
56:41He just misses that draw.
56:42I don't know if the ball slipped out of his hand or what, but that's a completion you've got to have.
56:47And now Hubbard is back in.
56:48Clock stopped at 36 seconds.
56:50Still all six timeouts combined.
56:57Four-man rush.
56:58Young trying to climb the pocket.
57:00He's going to have to take the sack.
57:01And now one of these coaches might want to use a timeout.
57:07Might be the Rams that take it.
57:10And, indeed, Sean McVay will take his first.
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