Rams vs. Panthers prediction, odds, kickoff time: 2026 Wild Card Weekend NFL picks by confirmed mannequin

The 2026 NFL playoffs kick off with a Saturday Wild Card Weekend matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers. These groups met in Week 13, with Carolina prevailing 31-28 at residence. Los Angeles (12-5) enters Wild Card Weekend because the NFC’s 5-seed and is coming off a 37-20 victory over Arizona, which ended a two-game shedding streak. The Panthers (8-9) are the No. 4 seed after claiming the NFC South. The Rams will probably be with out begin guard Kevin Dotson (ankle), however receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) has been cleared to play for the primary time in practically a month. 

Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET from Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The most recent Panthers vs. Rams odds from DraftKings Sportsbook record Los Angeles as 10.5-point favorites, making it the biggest highway favourite in a playoff recreation since 1970. The over/underneath for whole factors scored is 45.5. Earlier than making any Rams vs. Panthers picks, take a look at the NFL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Mannequin. 

The mannequin, which simulates each NFL recreation 10,000 occasions, is up effectively over $7,000 for $100 gamers on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The mannequin enters the 2026 NFL playoffs on a 53-37 run on top-rated picks relationship again to 2024. Anyone following its NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting websites might have seen sturdy returns.

Now, the mannequin has set its sights on Panthers vs. Rams. You possibly can go to SportsLine now to see the picks. Listed here are the NFL odds and betting developments Rams vs. Panthers:

Why the Rams can cowl

No workforce has a greater unfold document than the Rams at 12-5, which incorporates 4 covers over their final 5 video games. L.A. can be dealing with a workforce with an 8-9 document, and groups with shedding information are 2-6 within the playoffs all-time. The Rams have the league’s greatest offense, rating first in factors, whole yards and yards per play, and it is a unit that does not harm itself as nobody has dedicated fewer penalties. Matthew Stafford has two touchdowns and no interceptions in every of his final three postseason begins, and the MVP contender is driving a seven-game playoff streak with a number of landing passes. This season, Stafford has extra TD passes (46) than Carolina has whole touchdowns (35) because the Panthers rank twenty seventh in each factors scored and whole yards. See which workforce to again at SportsLine. 

Why the Panthers can cowl

It was simply six weeks in the past that Carolina upset the Rams as double-digit underdogs, forcing Stafford into three turnovers. The Panthers have 10 ATS wins as an underdog this 12 months, probably the most within the NFL, they usually even have a one-day relaxation benefit after taking part in final Saturday. The Rams have misplaced three of their final 4 highway video games, and the Panthers are decidedly stronger on offense at Financial institution of America Stadium. 5 of their six highest level totals this 12 months have come at residence, and probably the most factors they scored all 12 months got here versus Los Angeles in Week 13. See which workforce to again at SportsLine.

Find out how to make Rams vs. Panthers picks

SportsLine’s mannequin has simulated Panthers vs. Rams 10,000 occasions and goes Over on the whole, projecting 48 mixed factors. It additionally says one aspect of the unfold hits in effectively over 50% of simulations. You possibly can solely get the choose at SportsLine. 

So who wins Rams vs. Panthers, and which aspect of the unfold hits effectively over 50% of the time? Go to SportsLine now to see which aspect of the Panthers vs. Rams unfold to leap on, all from the superior mannequin that’s up effectively over $7,000 on its NFL picks since its inception, and discover out.