8 pivotal plays that led to Rams' shocking loss to Panthers

The Los Angeles Rams don't spend too much time celebrating their wins, and they're certainly not going to spend much time sulking over Sunday's shocking loss to the Carolina Panthers. It's by no means a game where they'll want to burn the game film. In fact, there were a lot of encouraging things on offense.

But they simply didn't make enough plays to win the game, on offense or defense. Their run defense was gashed, Matthew Stafford made too many mistakes and the coverage wasn't good enough in the biggest moments.

This one truly came down to a handful of plays that Carolina made and the Rams didn't. Here are the eight most pivotal snaps that led to the Rams' downfall in Charlotte, suffering a painful 31-28 loss on the road in Week 13.

Chuba Hubbard’s 35-yard touchdown catch

The Rams scored a touchdown on their opening drive, but the Panthers answered right back with a score of their own. On third-and-8 from the Rams' 35-yard line, Bryce Young hit Hubbard for a touchdown on a simple swing pass where the running back burst past Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon, who couldn't get off their blocks in time.

If the Rams get a stop on third down, it would've forced a long field goal attempt and saved them at least four points, if not seven.

Matthew Stafford’s end zone interception

This one really hurt because the Rams had been moving up and down the field with ease. Stafford was looking for Colby Parkinson over the middle but Derrick Brown jumped and got in the way, deflecting the pass up into the air, leading to a pick by Nick Scott.

That took at least three points off the board because had the pass simply fallen incomplete, the Rams would've settled for a field goal.

Mike Jackson’s pick-six

With the score still tied 7-7, Stafford made arguably his biggest mistake of the season. His pick-six to Jackson was a turning point in the game, coming on second down from the Rams' 40-yard line. The pass was a little behind Puka Nacua and though there was some contact at the top of the route, it's a throw Stafford can't make.

That gave the Panthers all the momentum, taking a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.

Jalen Coker’s 33-yard touchdown on fourth down

The Panthers were aggressive on fourth down Sunday, not only going for it multiple times, but taking deep shots against man coverage – and winning. The Rams had grabbed a 21-17 lead but on fourth-and-3, Young hit Coker down the right side for a 33-yard touchdown to pull ahead once again.

It was Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in coverage and he straight-up got beat deep with no safety help over the top.

Lathan Ransom’s sack on Stafford in the third quarter

It may not have seemed like much, but Ransom's sack on Stafford was huge. Making his first career start in place of the suspended Tre'von Moehrig, Ransom blitzed off the edge and wasn't picked up by anyone, with Warren McClendon Jr. focused on the edge defender, who was being chipped by Davis Allen.

McClendon didn't end up blocking anyone on the play and Stafford had nowhere to go. On the next play, Stafford and Davante Adams couldn't hook up on a deep pass that they normally connect on, and the Rams punted. They never got the ball back in the third quarter, running only three total plays in the frame.

Tetairoa McMillan’s 42-yard touchdown on fourth down

Once again on fourth-and-short, the Panthers rolled the dice. And once again, it was Forbes getting beat in man coverage. This time, McMillan lost the corner on a deep crosser where Forbes got chipped a little bit in coverage and couldn't keep up with the rookie wideout.

McMillan crossed the goal line for a 42-yard score, which wound up being the game-winner for Carolina. Had the Rams stopped the Panthers there, they'd have had a four-point lead and possession of the ball with a chance to put the nail in the coffin. Instead, they were the ones being buried.

Delay of game and subsequent fumble on next play

Stafford took the blame for his costly penalty late in the fourth. On third-and-5 from the Panthers' 17-yard line, the Rams were called for a delay of game, failing to get the snap off in time. It was an inexcusable mistake by a veteran quarterback, one that cost the Rams a chance to tie or win the game.

On the very next play, Stafford was sacked and fumbled the ball, turning it over and eliminating any chance for the Rams to even try a game-tying kick. The Panthers took over, needing just one first down to end the game.

Jalen Coker’s 10-yard catch to seal the game

Even after Stafford's costly fumble, the Rams had a shot. They needed one stop on defense but after getting the Panthers into third-and-5, Coker delivered again with a 10-yard catch over the middle against soft coverage, finding a hole in the zone.

Again, if the Rams got a stop, they would've had about 2 minutes to drive the field and tie or win the game, but the defense couldn't make a play.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams-Panthers key plays: How LA lost to Carolina in Week 13