LOS ANGELES – When points are hard to come by, any turnovers loom large in determining the outcome.
There was only one turnover between the Panthers and Rams on Sunday. It came from a spectacular individual effort by linebacker Thomas Davis.
"It was a heck of a play," tight end Greg Olsen said. "The play of the game."
Quarterback Case Keenum and the Rams struggled to develop any kind of rhythm against Carolina, but it looked they were on the cusp of finally putting some points on the board late in the third quarter.
Keenum had just completed arguably his best pass of the day, a 17-yarder to wide receiver Tavon Austin, who scooted out of bounds at the Los Angeles 40-yard line.
But on second-and-7, Keenum faked a handoff and looked downfield. Davis knew what was coming.
"It was something we saw during the week, and I just reacted to the throw," Davis said.
Keenum was looking for tight end Tyler Higbee down the left side. Davis dropped well into coverage and put himself in position to make a play on the ball once Keenum pulled the trigger.
"I dropped back and got set up, and I got my eyes on the quarterback," Davis recalled. "He threw the ball in my direction, and I was like, 'Come down with this football by any means necessary.'"
Davis soared high into the air to snag the ball before landing flat on his back at the Carolina 45-yard line.
"That was a crucial mistake," Keenum said. "I really want that one back, because we were moving on offense.
"That wound up costing us big."
The Carolina offense turned that takeaway into a 38-yard Graham Gano field goal for a 10-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.
And the 12-year veteran linebacker – who also posted a game-high 11 tackles with a sack and forced fumble – proved to teammates and coaches that love to razz him that he's still got plenty of hops.
"I'm just really trying to dispel that notion of Thomas Davis being old," Davis joked. "I had to get up and come down with that pick."
View game action photos from Carolina's 13-10 win over Los Angeles.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum yells to his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, left, runs past Los Angeles Rams strong safety T.J. McDonald for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams running back Benny Cunningham, left, tosses to defensive back Cody Davis during a kickoff return during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum, right, is sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum, right, is sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum, left, is sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, left, tries to get by Los Angeles Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, left, is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Eugene Sims during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, right, cannot hold onto Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis, left, celebrates with free safety Tre Boston after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, left, celebrates after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, left, is grabbed by Los Angeles Rams defensive end William Hayes as he runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt, left, makes a touchdown catch while pressured by Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, center left, shakes hands with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum after the Panthers defeated the Rams in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, left, and Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher shake hands after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Panthers won. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
