Panthers prepare for playoff matchup against Rams in wild-card round

WFAE | By Woody Cain

Published January 7, 2026 at 9:26 AM EST

The Carolina Panthers will play in the NFL playoffs this weekend, facing the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.

Carolina already beat the Rams 31–28 during the regular season, but quarterback Bryce Young said the postseason brings a different level of focus and urgency.

After practice Tuesday, Young said the team is embracing the opportunity while staying locked into its preparation.

Young said the Panthers are excited for the chance to compete in the playoffs, but stressed that the focus now is on the process and maintaining elite preparation throughout the week to give themselves the best chance to win.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sports

Woody Cain

Woody is a Charlotte native who came to WFAE from the world of NASCAR where he was host of NASCAR Today for MRN Radio as well as a pit reporter, turn announcer and host of the NASCAR Live pre race show for Cup Series races. Before that, he was a news anchor at WBT radio in Charlotte, a traffic reporter, editor of The Charlotte Observer’s University City Magazine, News/Sports Director at WEGO-AM in Concord and a Swiss Army knife in local cable television. His first job after graduating from Appalachian State University was news reporter at The Daily Independent in Kannapolis. Along the way he’s covered everything from murder trials and a national political convention to high school sports and minor league baseball.

See stories by Woody Cain