Carolina plays host to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at 1 p.m. to open the 2019 season. Here are some matchup notes, statistics to know and team connections for Sunday's game.
Matchup Notes
- Carolina is 10-14 all-time in season openers, including 4-7 when opening the year at home. However, under coach Ron Rivera, the Panthers have won four of the last five season openers dating back to the 20-14 win in Tampa Bay in 2014. Only the Broncos have more Week 1 wins since 2014.
- The Panthers are 13-8 against the Rams all-time, including a win in Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams first year back in California. The Panthers are 6-4 at home against the Rams, with a 4-1 home record dating back to 2000. Carolina's signature victory came in St. Louis in the 2003 Divisional round in the double-overtime victory capped by Steve Smith's 69-yard catch.
- Last season, the Rams ranked second in the NFL in total offense (421.1), third in rushing (139.4) and fifth in passing (295.6). However, the team's defense struggled against the run, ranking last in rushing yards allowed per attempt (5.07).
- Jared Goff threw for 4,688 yards with 32 TDs and Todd Gurley ran for 1,251 yards and 17 TDs. Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks each had over 1,200 yards receiving. Aaron Donald led the NFL with 20.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.
- Los Angeles defeated New Orleans in the NFC Championship last year before losing to New England in the Super Bowl. Carolina has faced the defending NFC Champion every season since 2008, winning three of the last four matchups, including a thrilling come-from-behind win at Philadelphia last year.
View photos of action between the Panthers and Rams through the Years. Carolina owns a 13-9 advantage in the all-time series record.
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith, left, scores on a 68-yard reception after leaving St. Louis Rams' Tye Hill, right, on the turf in the third quarter of their NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers beat the Rams, 27-13.(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Members of the St. Louis Rams' Brian Young (66) and Travis Fisher (22) and Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87), Ricky Proehl (center) and Steve Smith (89) dive for the loose football during a fumble following a shuttle-pass during the first half of their NFC playoff game in St. Louis, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004. The loose ball was recovered by Muhammad for a touchdown. The play was reviewed by the officials and the loose ball and recovery by the Panthers was ruled a touchdown. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23) is seen in action during an NFL game against the St. Louis Rams Oct. 13, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith looks skyward after catching the winning touchdown pass on the first play of the second overtime period against the St Louis Rams in and NFC playoff game in St. Louis Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004. The Panthers beat the Rams, 29-23. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23) is seen in action during an NFL game against the St. Louis Rams Oct. 13, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Johnson (23) is seen in action during an NFL game against the St. Louis Rams Oct. 13, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Mike Tolbert (35) tries to dive over the goal line for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner (13) is sacked by the Carolina Panthers defense during a November 5, 2000 game in the TWA Dome in St. Louis. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. The Panthers won 30-15. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Umpire Paul King, center, tries to separate Carolina Panthers' Jordan Gross, left, and St. Louis Rams' Robert Quinn, right, in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner (13) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Dec. 3, 2000, in Charlotte. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Mike Mitchell (21) sacks St. Louis Rams' Kellen Clemens (10) for a loss during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. The Panthers won 30-15. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs the ball as St. Louis Rams strong safety Darian Stewart (20) attempts to tackle during an NFL football game in Charlotte, NC Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Star Lotulelei (98) prepares to tackle St. Louis Rams' Zac Stacy (30) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. The Panthers won 30-15. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn (41) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison chases down St. Louis Rams' Tavon Austin (11) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. The Panthers won 30-15. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles to get away from St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, NC, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner (13) gets set to throw a pass during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Dec. 3, 2000, in Charlotte N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Tony Banks (12) gets set to throw a pass during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Oct.13, 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allen Kee via AP)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is pulled down for a 1-yard loss by St. Louis Rams' Adam Carriker during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme calls out at the line during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, left, looks for a hole during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger (10) passes as Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Kris Jenkins defends during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Drew Carter (18) catches a 9-yard pass for a touchdown as St. Louis Rams' Lenny Walls defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) eludes St. Louis Rams Chris Draft, right, during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) looks for a hole during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers' Drew Carter celebrates his first quarter touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in their NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is brought down by the St. Louis Rams' Pisa Tinoisamoa (50) and Ron Bartell (24) after running up the middle for a 15-yard gain during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in St. Louis. The Panthers won, the game, 27-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) prepares to throw a pass during the Panthers 15-0 win over the St. Louis Rams in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
St. Louis Rams' Stephen Davis (48) is brought down by Carolina Panthers' Chris Gamble (20) during the Panthers' 15-0 win in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Keyshawn Johnson (19) breaks a tackle by St. Louis Rams' Fakhir Brown (34) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., in this Nov. 19, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
St. Louis Rams' Marc Bulger (10) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Damione Lewis (92) and Kindal Moorehead during the Panthers' 15-0 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. The Panthers held the Rams to 111 yards, had a team record-tying seven sacks and St. Louis was blanked for the first time since 1998. The win moved the Panthers into a first-place tie in the NFC South. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) runs to recover a fumble by St. Louis Rams' Torry Holt (81) in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 15-0 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) catches a touchdown pass as St. Louis Rams' Oshiomogho Atogwe (21) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs past St. Louis Rams' Corey Chavous (25) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs past St. Louis Rams' Victor Adeyanju (94) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Keyshawn Johnson (19) knocks the helmet off St. Louis Rams' Tye Hill (26) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 15-0 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. Johnson was called for a face mask penalty on the play.(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Nick Goings (37) runs past St. Louis Rams' Typka jackson (97) during the second quarter of the Panthers' 20-7 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. Goings, Carolina's sixth-string running back when the season started, ran for 108 yards and one touchdown.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The crowd engulfs Carolina Panthers receiver Mushin Muhammad (87) after his touchdown in the first quarter of the Panthers' 20-7 win over the St. Louis Rams in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox greets wide receiver Steve Smith (89) during an NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers defeated the Rams 29-23 in overtime on January 10, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers' Mushin Muhammad (87) runs in for a 14-yard touchdown as St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher (22) falls during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein sets up to pass during the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998, at the TWA Dome in St. Louis. Beuerlein was 21 for 26 for 211 yards and two touchdowns in Carolina's 24-20 win. Covering is Rams' Roman Phifer (58). (AP Photo/Leon Algee)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Chris Chandler (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) throws a pass on the run during an NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers defeated the Rams 29-23 in overtime on January 10, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers' Nick Goings (37) dives over St. Louis Rams' Adam Archuleta (31) for a one-yard touchdown during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
FOR USE AS DESIRED WITH 2004 SUPER BOWL STORIES Carolina Panthers defensive end Michael Rucker, left, rushes against the blocking of St. Louis Rams' Orlando Pace during the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in St. Louis.The New England Patriots take on the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith heads to the end zone to score the game-winning touchdown in double overtime against the St. Louis Rams during the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Carolina Panthers running back Nick Goings (37) heads upfield during an NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers defeated the Rams 29-23 in overtime on January 10, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
FOR USE AS DESIRED WITH 2004 SUPER BOWL STORIES Carolina Panthers defensive ends Julius Peppers, left, and Micheal Rucker watch a field goal attempt during the first overtime period against the St. Louis Rams in the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in St. Louis. The New England Patriots take on the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
FOR USE AS DESIRED WITH 2004 SUPER BOWL STORIES Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in St. Louis. The New England Patriots take on the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme looks over the play on his wrist during the NFC divisional playoff game against the St. Louis Rams Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver wide receiver Steve Smith (89) catches a pass during an NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers defeated the Rams 29-23 in overtime on January 10, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver wide receiver Steve Smith (89) watches from the sideline during an NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers defeated the Rams 29-23 in overtime on January 10, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith runs away from St. Louis Rams Tommy Polley (52) and Adam Archuletta (31) to score the winning touchdown in the second overtime period of the NFC playoff game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004 in St. Louis. Carolina won 29-23 in double overtime. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Carolina Panthers' Jimmy Hitchcock (37) runs an interception back for a touchdown past the Panthers' sideline in the third quarter of the Panthers' 16-3 win over the St. Louis Rams at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 3, 2000. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
| Category (2018 stats) | Panthers | Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 373.3 (10th) | 421.1 (2nd) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 133.5 (4th) | 139.4 (3rd) |
| Passing Yards/Game | 254.4 (17th) | 295.6 (5th) |
| Sacks Allowed | 32 (t-6th) | 33 (t-24th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 41.6 (9th) | 45.0 (8th) |
| Points/Game | 23.5 (t-14th) | 32.9 (5th) |
| Defense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 352.2 (15th) | 358.6 (19th) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 112.8 (12th) | 122.3 (23rd) |
| Passing Yards/Game | 240.4 (18th) | 236.3 (14th) |
| Sacks | 35 (17th) | 41 (15th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 39.9 (19th) | 37.2 (12th) |
| Points/Game | 23.9 (19th) | 24.0 (20th) |
Next Gen Stats
According to Next Gen Stats, DJ Moore led all NFL wide receivers with an average of 7.9 yards after the catch in 2018.
Even more impressive was his average YAC above expectation. Essentially, Next Gen Stats creates an expected yards after catch number, based on numerous factors using tracking data such as how open the receiver is, how fast they're traveling, how many defenders/blockers are in space, etc.
Moore's expected yards after the catch was 4.9, making his YAC above expectation average of 3.0 the second-highest among all NFL wide receivers and tight ends.
Stat Nuggets To Know
- Last year, Cam Newton passed for 3,395 yards & 24 TDs and joined Peyton Manning as the only QBs in NFL history with 3,000+ pass yards in each of their 1st 8 seasons.
- In 2018, Christian McCaffrey set the NFL record for most receptions (107) by a running back in a single season. He also became the first player in NFL history with 50+ rush yards and 50+ receiving yards in five consecutive games (Weeks 9-13).
- Since 2017, McCaffrey is one of three running backs (Todd Gurley, Alvin Kamara) with 3,000+ scrimmage yards and 20+ scrimmage touchdowns.
- Moore ranked second among rookie wide receivers in catches (55) and receiving yards (788) last year.
- Greg Olsen is currently fourth among ACTIVE tight ends with 57 career receiving touchdowns.
- Luke Kuechly leads the NFL in tackles (948) since his rookie season in 2012.
- Over the last six seasons, Gerald McCoy is the only defensive tackle in the NFL to tally at least six sacks every year.
Chasing Milestones in 2019
- Carolina needs 10 wins to reach 200 regular season wins in franchise history. Dating back to 1995, the Panthers are 190-193-1 in the regular season.
- Head coach Ron Rivera (71-56-1) needs three wins to pass John Fox (73-71) as the winningest coach in franchise history.
- Newton (4,808) needs 121 rushing yards to pass Randall Cunningham (4,928) for the second-most career rushing yards for a QB in NFL history.
- Newton (58) is currently tied for the most rushing touchdowns of any active player since 2011. He needs two rushing TDs to become just the 50th player in NFL history with 60 rushing TDs, already the most by any QB.
- McCaffrey (1,518) needs 104 receiving yards to pass DeAngelo Williams (1,621) for the most career receiving yards ever by a Panthers running back.
- Olsen (57) needs six touchdowns to catch Vernon Davis and Shannon Sharpe (62) for sixth-most career receiving touchdowns by an NFL tight end.
- According to press box stats, Kuechly (948) needs 52 tackles to reach 1,000 for his career. He also needs 19 tackles to pass Brian Urlacher (966) for the most through a player's first eight seasons in NFL history.
Notable Panthers-Rams Connections
- Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Norv Turner both coached for the Chargers in San Diego during the first years of Rams S Eric Weddle's NFL career in San Diego.
- Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay served as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins while Panthers secondary coach Perry Fewell coached the defensive backs for Washington. Fewell also served as the secondary coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, while Rams backup QB Blake Bortles was the starting quarterback for Jacksonville and DE Dante Fowler Jr. played for the Jaguars.
- Panthers DT Gerald McCoy spent the first nine seasons of his career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first three of which on the same defense as Rams CB Aqib Talib. Talib also played two seasons with Panthers DT Kyle Love for the New England Patriots. After leaving New England, Talib played for the Denver Broncos from 2014 to 2017, playing with Panthers C Matt Paradis.
- Rams WR Brandin Cooks played one season with the New England Patriots while newly-acquired Panthers WR Chris Hogan was also on the Patriots receiving corps. Together, Hogan and Cooks played in Super Bowl LII.
- Panthers DT Dontari Poe and Rams CB Marcus Peters were drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2012 and 2015 NFL Drafts, respectively. They played the 2015 and 2016 seasons together on the Chiefs defense before Poe left in free agency and, the following year, Peters was traded to Los Angeles.
- Carolina receivers coach Jim Hostler was a senior offensive assistant for the Buffalo Bills in 2014, while Rams WR Robert Woods and CB Nickell Robey-Coleman were on the Bills roster. While Woods and Robey-Coleman played in Buffalo, they played with Panthers WR Chris Hogan, CB Ross Cockrell, and TE Chris Manhertz for at least a season each, and in Hogan's case a total of three seasons.
