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Panthers hold off the Rams, 13-10

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Stay tuned for updates from the game from Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry.

Scoring Summary

First quarter:

  • Panthers TE Greg Olsen catches a nine-yard pass for a touchdown (Panthers 7, Rams 0)

Fourth quarter:

  • Panthers K Graham Gano makes a 38-yard field goal (Panthers 10, Rams 0)
  • Rams K Greg Zuerlein makes a 25-yard field goal (Panthers 10, Rams 3)
  • Panthers K Graham Gano makes a 37-yard field goal (Panthers 13, Rams 3)
  • Rams WR Kenny Britt catches a 10-yard pass from Case Keenum (Panthers 13, Rams 10)

VIDEO: Is it time for Rams to play Jared Goff?

The Rams’ dropped to 3-5 after losing to the Panthers, 13-10. They’ve lost four in a row, so why isn’t Jared Goff, their top pick in the NFL draft, playing?

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Slideshow: Photos from the Rams-Panthers game

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee stretches out to catch, but misses, a pass in the end zone while he's defended by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis during the second half. To see more images from the game, click on the photo above.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams offense struggles in 13-10 loss to Panthers

The Rams fell to the Panthers, 13-10, for their fourth consecutive loss. Is it time for Jeff Fisher to insert Jared Goff at quarterback?

An open date last week gave the Rams plenty of time to heal and prepare for the Carolina Panthers.

The defense appeared to benefit.

The offense did not.

Case Keenum and the offense were booed several times and fans at the Coliseum called for rookie quarterback Jared Goff in a 13-10 loss that extended the Rams losing streak to four games and dropped their record to 3-5.

A week after complaining that officials were not calling penalties for illegal hits against him in the pocket, Newton completed 20 of 32 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers improved to 3-5.

Keenum completed 27 of 46 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown, with an interception.

Rams running back Todd Gurley rushed for 48 yards in 12 carries.

The Panthers led, 7-0, at halftime on Newton’s touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen and then added a third-quarter field goal by Graham Gano.

The Rams had a chance to score a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, but tight end Lance Kendricks dropped a seven-yard pass at the goal line, forcing the Rams to settle for a field goal.

Gano added a field goal with 3:18 left for a 10-point lead, but Keenum’s short touchdown pass to Kenny Britt with 34 seconds remaining helped cut the deficit to three points.

The Panthers recovered a squib kick to secure the victory.

The Rams had first-half scoring opportunities.

When their opening drive stalled at the Panthers’ 37-yard-line, Greg Zuerlein came on and missed a 55-yard field goal attempt. It was Zuerlein’s first miss after making all 10 of his previous attempts this season.

The Panthers began their only scoring drive with nine minutes left in the first quarter.

Newton completed passes to Ted Ginn Jr., tight end Ed Dickson and receiver Kelvin Benjamin and then picked up a first down on a designed run. On third and five from the nine, he connected with Olsen for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

The Rams defense and punter Johnny Hekker did their part for the rest of the half, and the Panthers’ opportunity to extend the lead failed when Gano missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with 29 seconds left.

Keenum connected with Britt and Brian Quick to move the Rams across midfield, but another 55-yard field-goal attempt by Zuerlein again went wide right.

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FINAL: Panthers defeat Rams, 13-10

The Rams tried to surprise the Panthers with a quick kick after scoring the touchdown, but to avail.

The Panthers end the game in the victory formation and there are a few resounding boos from the few fans who stayed to see the end of this.

The Rams fall to 3-5, the Panthers improve to 3-5.

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Panthers lead Rams, 13-10, late in fourth quarter

Finally, a Rams touchdown.

Case Keenum completed a 10-yard pass to Kenny Britt in the end zone and the Rams trail the Panthers, 13-10, with 34 seconds remaining in the game.

The scoring drive covered 75 yards in 15 plays and took 2:44.

The Rams faced fourth and nine but converted when Benny Cunningham managed to pick up a few yards after a short pass from Keenum.

Keenum also completed a nine-yard pass to Lance Kendricks and a 27-yard pass to Brian Quick to convert two third downs.

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Panthers lead Rams, 13-3, in the fourth quarter

The Panthers kicked a 37-yard field goal and lead the Rams, 13-3, with 3:23 remaining in the game.

The scoring drive covered 56 yards in eight plays and took 4:43.

Cam Newton completed two passes for 15 yards each to Kelvin Benjamin and Jonathan Stewart rushed for six yards to put the Panthers in field goal position.

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Panthers lead Rams, 10-3, in the fourth quarter

Just when it looked like the Rams would score a touchdown, they didn’t.

Lance Kendricks dropped a third-down pass at the goal line and they settled for a field goal.

The Panthers lead, 10-3, with 8:01 to play in the fourth quarter.

Kendricks caught a 12-yard and nine-yard pass earlier in the series and Todd Gurley caught an 11-yard pass before rushing for 10 yards to them inside the Panthers’ 10-yard line.

But Case Keenum threw two incomplete passes and then the ball bounced off Kendricks hands.

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Panthers lead the Rams, 10-0, after Keenum throws interception

The Panthers converted an interception into a field goal and lead the Rams, 10-0, with 11:12 to play in the fourth quarter.

The Rams’ offense was starting to make its way down field but Case Keenum was intercepted by Thomas Davis, who returned it 10 yards to the Panthers’ 45-yard line.

Aaron Donald made a monstrous sack - his second of the game - on third down at the Rams’ 11-yard line to force the Panthers to settle for a field goal.

The interception was the fifth thrown by Keenum in the last two games. He threw four in a loss against the Giants in London before the bye week.

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Mark Barron sacks Cam Newton

Mark Barron is the latest Ram to sack Cam Newton.

Newton’s been taken down four times and the Panthers punted again.

Newton was moving the ball - he completed an eight-yard, six-yard and seven-yard pass to start the series - but the drive stalled after Jonathan Stewart rushed for one yard, Newton was sacked and his third-and-long pass fell incomplete.

The Rams’ defense deserves to win this game.

The offense? No.

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Jared Goff remains on the bench to start the second half

The Rams’ offense is miserable.

Case Keenum returned to the field to start the second half and the results were no better.

Seriously, how much longer until Jared Goff is close to ready?

Todd Gurley rushed for five yards, Malcolm Brown was tackled at the line and then Keenum was sacked.

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Aaron Donald sacks Cam Newton

Aaron Donald sacked Cam Newton, and the Rams’ defense continues to keep them in this game.

Newton has been sacked three times.

The Panthers punted.

Newton started to get into the Rams’ secondary — completing an 11-yard pass to Greg Olsen, a 28-yard pass to Devin Funchess and an 11-yard pass to Corey Brown — but the Panthers have been unable to effectively run the ball.

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Rams miss another field goal, trail Panthers 7-0 at halftime

Greg Zuerlein missed a 55-yard field goal to end the first half.

The Panthers lead the Rams, 7-0.

The Rams’ defense is playing well, but the offense is stinking up the Coliseum, and fans are booing.

In the final series before the break, Case Keenum completed a 13-yard pass to Kenny Britt and an 11-yard pass to Brian Quick.

Keenum has completed nine of 19 passes for 115 yards.

Zuerlein has missed two field goals from 55 yards, which would be a season long.

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Panthers miss a 48-yard field goal

The Panthers missed a 48-yard field goal and the Rams will takeover on their 39-yard line.

Perhaps this is why NFL ratings are down this season. This isn’t fun to watch.

Greg Olsen caught an 18-yard pass and Kelvin Benjamin caught a 24-yard pass, but the drive stalled after a penalty and a drop.

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Fans chant ‘We want Goff!’ as another drive stalls

“We want Goff!” fans chanted after Case Keenum threw two incomplete passes.

Who can blame them? The Rams’ offense looks awful.

Todd Gurley rushed for 18 yards before Keenum missed Tyler Higbee and Bradley Marquez.

To make matters worse, the Rams went for it on fourth and one and Gurley was tackled for a one-yard loss. The Panthers will take over at their 39-yard line.

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Cam Newton sacked a second time by Rams

The Panthers’ offense has struggled to move the ball with the Rams’ defensive line keeping the pressure.

Eugene Sims sacked Cam Newton to set up third-and-18, where Newton’s pass was nearly intercepted by Maurice Alexander. The pass was completed, but was short of a first down.

The Panthers punted.

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Rams offense is struggling to move the football

This is not going well for the Rams’ offense.

More boos in the Coliseum, and the Rams’ brass — and sideline — has to hear them.

Case Keenum was sacked to end the series — and fumbled on the play. Benny Cunningham recovered the ball, but couldn’t reach a first down.

Meanwhile, a fight broke out in the northeast section of the Coliseum.

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Rams shut down Jonathan Stewart for a second series

The Rams’ defense came to play and the Panthers go three-and-out.

Mark Barron stopped Jonathan Stewart at the line of scrimmage and then Alec Ogletree stopped Stewart after five yards.

Cam Newton’s third-down pass was incomplete.

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Rams offense is sputtering against the Panthers

With Case Keenum, you never know what you’re going to get.

Keenum completed a 49-yard pass to Tyler Higbee to start the drive, but missed an open Kenny Britt to end it.

Lance Kendricks also dropped a pass that he somehow bobbled behind his back, where it was nearly picked off.

Johnny Hekker punted and then Panthers will start at their six-yard line.

Keenum has completed three of nine passes for 61 yards.

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Rams’ defensive line shuts down the run

The Rams’ defensive line is back in good health and is wreaking havoc for Jonathan Stewart.

The Panthers punted.

Williams Hayes tackled Stewart for a two-yard loss and then he was taken down at the line of scrimmage by linebacker Alec Ogletree.

The Panthers faced third-and-12, Cam Newton’s pass fell incomplete but Lamarcus Joyner was called for pass interference to prolong the drive.

Aaron Donald tackled Stewart for a two-yard loss in between incomplete passes to stall the drive.

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Rams go three-and-out again

Johnny Hekker for Rams’ MVP.

Hekker made a 75-yard punt after the Rams’ went three-and-out, again.

Todd Gurley rushed for five yards before Tyler Higbee dropped a pass and Case Keenum was sacked.

Fans boo louder in the Coliseum. It’s clear they want exciting football and they want to see Jared Goff.

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Panthers lead Rams, 7-0, in first quarter

Greg Olsen broke away from T.J. McDonald and Cam Newton zipped a nine-yard pass to him for a touchdown.

The Panthers lead the Rams, 7-0, with 3:44 to play in the first quarter.

The scoring drive covered 53 yards in nine plays and took 5:07.

The Panthers started with great field position on their 47-yard line.

Jonathan Stewart rushed for nine yards in three carries.

Newton completed three of four passes in the series for 38 yards.

Defensively, E.J. Gaines had a nice pass breakup in the end zone on first down.

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Rams’ offense goes three-and-out

The Rams went three-and-out and there are boo birds in the Coliseum.

The Rams managed to travel a whopping two yards in the series, which started at their three-yard line.

Todd Gurley rushed for those two yards before Case Keenum threw an incomplete pass under pressure and then attempted another pass that was batted down.

The defense is on Keenum early.

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Cam Thomas sacks Cam Newton on third down

Cam Newton spent all week talking about taking hits, and the Rams just got to him early.

Cam Thomas sacked Newton on third down, and the Panthers punted.

Newton’s first-down pass fell incomplete, and Greg Olsen caught a seven-yard pass on second down.

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Rams miss 55-yard field goal attempt

Jeff Fisher trotted out the field goal unit and Greg Zuerlein attempted a 55-yard kick, but it was no good.

The Panthers will take over at their 45-yard line.

The Rams converted once on third down when Case Keenum completed a 15-yard pass to Kenny Britt.

Keenum was two for three for 30 yards.

Todd Gurley rushed for four yards in three carries.

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Watching the paint dry: How the Coliseum switches from college to NFL mode

(Matt Wilhalme / Los Angeles Times)

Getting it done wasn’t the challenge. It was Mother Nature working against us a little bit to keep the conditions wet.

— Joe Furin, Coliseum general manager

The fans were going wild five hours before Sunday’s Rams-Carolina Panthers game, even though the Coliseum was essentially empty.

These were not human fans. They were large electric ones, 60 of them in all, and they were used in an effort to blow-dry the fresh coat of paint that was applied on the turf during the changeover from Saturday’s USC-Oregon game to Sunday’s NFL game.

About 200 stadium employees worked all night hauling away 14 tons of trash from Saturday’s 4 p.m. game, cleaning inside and outside the bowl, cleaning the parking lots and re-stocking concession stands for Sunday’s 1 p.m. game.

That part of the task went smoothly and was aided by the extra hour afforded by the switch to Pacific Standard Time overnight.

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Video: Join us on the sideline before the Rams play the Panthers

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Rams’ and Panters’ inactive players against the Carolina Panthers

Inactive players for the Rams:

Quarterback Sean Mannion

Cornerback Dwayne Gratz

Offensive guard Jamon Brown

Offensive tackle Pace Murphy

Tight end Temarrick Hemingway

Receiver Nelson Spruce

Defensive end Matt Longacre

Inactive players for the Panthers:

Cornerback Zack Sanchez

Running back Cameron Artis-Payne

Linebacker Shaq Thompson

Center Ryan Kalil

Offensive tackle Michael Oher

Tight end Chris Manhertz

Defensive tackle Vernon Butler

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Trumaine Johnson ready to take the field against the Panthers

(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

I’m just ready to play, man. I’m tired of losing. I’m sitting there and watching my teammates. I feel like I can help win some games.

— Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson

With a right ankle sprain and bone bruise limiting his mobility — and the Rams spiraling into a three-game losing streak — cornerback Trumaine Johnson did not stray far during the last month, regardless of city or country.

“I’ve been living in the training room,” Johnson said Friday.

Johnson camped there in various locales after he was injured during a loss to the Buffalo Bills at the Coliseum on Oct. 9. He made himself at home in facilities at Detroit and in London. And with an open date last week, he continued treatment at Cal Lutheran to prepare for practice this week.

Johnson is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, but he practiced for the second time Friday, said he felt great and sounded eager to return.

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Rams return to the Coliseum after nearly a month away

It’s been nearly a month since the Rams last played at the Coliseum, and their time away wasn’t exactly kind, with losses in Detroit, against the Giants in London and an open date last week.

The Rams left town 3-2, but return 3-4 and needing to win against the Panthers (2-5) today to stay in the hunt in the NFC West. The Seahawks are in first place; the Cardinals are in second.

Coach Jeff Fisher said after the loss in London that he would stick with Case Keenum as his starter, and he did not waver from that decision through the bye week.

Keenum has completed 62% of his passes and has thrown for 1,708 yards and eight touchdowns, with 10 interceptions.

Meanwhile, first overall pick Jared Goff continues to keep the bench warm.

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Quick turnaround on the Coliseum field

The USC versus Oregon game ended at about 7:30 Saturday night and crews quickly went to work transforming the Coliseum branding from Trojans to Rams for today’s 1 p.m. PST kickoff.

It can’t be an easy job scrubbing and changing the paint on the field. The NFL hashmarks are different than in college, plus there’s the NFL logo and end zones that must be changed.

Needless to say, the field, at least appearance-wise, isn’t in the best shape for Sunday’s game.

It’s one of only two weekends this season when both teams play at the Coliseum on consecutive days (The other was the weekend of Oct. 8, when USC beat Colorado and the Rams lost to the Buffalo Bills the following day).

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Watch for flags: Rams could face extra scrutiny vs. Cam Newton

(Bob Leverone / Associated Press)

We’re not looking for any calls or anything like that extra. We’re just looking for the rules to be distributed across the board, that’s all.

— Panthers Coach Ron Rivera

He’s perhaps the NFL’s most magnetic star, the reigning most valuable player capable of a highlight-reel play every snap.

Now, after Cam Newton complained about alleged illegal hits in the pocket — taking it all the way to the NFL commissioner’s office — all eyes will not only be on the Carolina Panthers quarterback. The officials’ gaze will no doubt be fixated on the Rams during Sunday’s game at the Coliseum.

It’s the Rams’ first game since losing to the New York Giants in London two weeks ago, a defeat that dropped their record to 3-4 and extended their losing streak to three games.

The Panthers, the defending NFC champions, are coming off a victory over the Arizona Cardinals, a win that ended a four-game losing streak and improved their record to 2-5.

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Rams vs. Panthers: How they match up

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is completing 57% of his passes.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is completing 57% of his passes.
(Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)

Rams pass offense vs. Panthers pass defense: It’s been two weeks since Case Keenum had a career-high four passes intercepted in a loss to the New York Giants. Keenum has passed for eight touchdowns, with 10 interceptions, including three that were returned for touchdowns. Tavon Austin had 10 receptions against the Giants. Kenny Britt and Brian Quick are other starters for a receiving corps that has yet to get significant pass-catching contributions from rookies Pharoh Cooper or Mike Thomas. The Panthers rank 29th in the NFL against the pass, giving up 286.9 yards per game.

EDGE: Rams.

Rams run offense vs. Panthers run defense: Rams running back Todd Gurley is averaging 57.6 yards per game and only three yards per carry. His longest run went for 16 yards. Several offensive linemen have said the Rams were on the verge of springing Gurley but it has not happened. Coach Jeff Fisher said there would be no personnel changes along the offensive line. The Panthers are giving up 80.1 yards rushing per game, which ranks third in the NFL. Linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis are the leading tacklers for a unit that will be without injured strong-side line- backer Shaq Thompson.

EDGE: Panthers.

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