The Carolina Panthers did not win this game because of their offense per se. It was their defense and the Los Angeles Rams’ lack of offense that won this game for the Panthers as they took a 13-10 decision over the Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
After being a media darling from mid September to early October, the Rams (3-5) have lost four games in a row dating back to October 9 when they lost to the Buffalo Bills 30-19 in Week 5.
The calls for the Rams to insert JARED GOFF in at quarterback grew louder with this loss. Current starting Rams quarterback CASE KEENUM (27 of 46 for 296 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 pick) didn’t do himself any favors today, by failing to lead the Rams to touchdown scoring drives on 10 out of 11 total Rams offensive possessions.
Keenum led the Rams to one touchdown scoring drive on the Rams’ last offensive possession of the game. But by then it was too little too late. Because it was very little time left in the game after his touchdown pass to receiver KENNY BRITT (4 catches for 49 yards and 1 score), plus the subsequent onside kick went much farther (to the Carolina 19-yard line) than kicker GREG ZUERLEIN anticipated it going.
As for the Panthers (3-5) they needed this win as they have been having a so-so season. Quarterback CAM NEWTON (20 of 32 for 225 yards and 1 touchdown pass) who hasn’t really been himself this year, was instrumental in today’s Panther win. He connected with his top two receivers in tight end GREG OLSEN (5 catches for 52 yards and 1 score) and receiver KELVIN BENJAMIN (5 catches for 76 yards) to help mask the fact that the Panthers running game had an off day. 
The Panthers’ defense also deserves some credit for this win, as they pressured Keenum for much of this game, covered his receivers tight, and made those same receivers work for every yard they gained. Plus, the Panthers defense kept the Rams’ offense out of the end zone for almost the entire contest.
The Panthers got on the board first, when Olsen shook Rams strong safety T.J. MCDONALD just past the line of scrimmage, with Olsen then beating McDonald for a 9-yard scoring pass. With 3:44 left in the first quarter the Panthers took a 7-0 lead.
Carolina running back JONATHAN STEWART (15 carries for 42 yards and no score) had 10 carries for just 9 yards by the time the 13:53 mark of the fourth quarter arrived. But out of nowhere, he galloped up the middle and then he cut back to his right for a 17-yard gain to the CAR 19-yard line. That big run set up a successful 38-yard field goal by kicker GRAHAM GANO which gave Carolina a 10-0 lead with 12:12 left in the fourth period.
Rams running back BENNY CUNNINGHAM tried to give the Rams some hope super late in the game, when he took a Keenum pass 11 yards to the LA 37-yard line. That play took place on a 4th down and 9 situation. Cunningham’s bail-out play helped set up a right corner of the end zone 10-yard touchdown catch by Britt to cut the Panthers’ lead to 13-10 with 34 seconds left in the game.
But Panther receiver TED GINN JR. pretty much ended the game and any hope the Rams had when he recovered Zuerlein’s kickoff at Panthers 19-yard line.
