Panthers show fight and look to the future

The Panthers pushed the Rams to the final minute in a home playoff loss, and players said the effort showed the team's progress and a core group expected to return next season.

The Panthers played a close home playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams and lost in the final minute. Coach Dave Canales described Bank of America Stadium as "electric" after the game. Players, including Bryce Young and several defensive voices, said the outing showed progress and reinforced belief in the roster. The result came after a regular season in which Carolina finished 8-9 and advanced to the playoffs via a divisional tiebreaker. Game details: - Carolina pushed a Rams team that was a 10-point favorite to the closing moments of the game in a home playoff loss. - Quarterback Bryce Young threw for 264 yards and one touchdown, and rushed three times for 24 yards and another touchdown. - Young's 7-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker gave Carolina a 31-27 lead with 2:39 remaining, and the Rams answered with a 19-yard touchdown to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left. - The Panthers entered the playoffs with an 8-9 record and secured the NFC South and the No. 4 seed by winning a three-team tiebreaker based on a 3-1 record among the tied teams. - Carolina lost left tackle Ikem Ekwonu to a knee injury that coach Dave Canales called "significant," and the team had already missed guard Hunt for part of the season after he popped his right pectoral following an earlier biceps injury. - Players and coaches emphasized that the game reinforced the team's belief it belongs in the postseason and noted a core group of players expected to return. Summary: The close playoff loss reinforced that the Panthers can compete in high-pressure games and players described the season as part of coming into their own with a core group returning. Undetermined at this time.