Matthew Stafford and Bryce Young traded legendary blows at end of playoff game

The two QBs saved their absolute best for last.

Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half during the NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Matthew Stafford may have had the last laugh, but there's an argument to be made that Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young outplayed him.

The Los Angeles Rams' defense is overall stronger, the Panthers' offensive line is weaker and lost Ikem Ekwonu, and Young doesn't have three strong tight ends or Puka Nacua or Davante Adams to throw to. Nor does he have Kyren Williams running the ball.

When it matters most, Young usually rises to the occasion. So does Stafford, the active leader in comeback drives. And on Saturday night, they traded two improbable haymakers at the end of the game.

Bryce Young and Matthew Stafford truly went toe-to-toe

Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half during the NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Panthers gave it their all on Saturday night, and it just wasn't quite enough. They were outgunned and outclassed, yet there's an argument that they should have come out victorious in this game. That's thanks in no small part to Bryce Young's heroics.

We've talked at lengths about how special he was in the second half, but there's one number that speaks to how impressive he was.

Stafford's game-winning touchdown pass was unbelievable. The one time a Panthers defender has ever had decent coverage on a tight end, and Stafford put the ball perfectly on Colby Parkinson, who got both feet in and fell to the end zone.

That had just a 27.3% completion probability. It was the second-most improbable pass of the night. The first? Young's go-ahead touchdown to Jalen Coker just minutes earlier.

Matthew Stafford's game-winning 19-yard TD to Colby Parkinson had a completion probability of 27.3%, the 2nd-most improbable completion of the game, behind only Bryce Young's go-ahead TD to Jalen Coker (19.7%) two minutes earlier.#LARvsCAR | #RamsHousepic.twitter.com/FkaOPmpT13

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 11, 2026

Young gave the Panthers a lead and a lot of hope on a perfect third-down pass to Jalen Coker in the end zone. The ball was out well before Coker even broke, and he wasn't exactly open. Yet, the ball floated right into his hands to give Carolina the lead.

JALEN COKER WITH THE GAME OF HIS LIFE 🔥

9 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TD, 23.9 fantasy pointspic.twitter.com/orEb1ZzQbj

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) January 11, 2026

Young's pass had a 19.7% completion probability. It was highly unlikely to be completed, especially with an unblocked Jared Verse coming after Young.

On a related note, what a brilliant play design by Dave Canales and wonderful execution. Tetairoa McMillan's delayed in-breaker meant the cornerback covering him couldn't drift back to where Coker was going when the ball was in the air.

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