Colin Cowherd Podcast - INSTANT REACTION: Rams Beat Panthers In THRILLER, Indiana Crushes Oregon

We’re partying at my house, but I’m still giving you fifteen minutes on the Rams’ 34 to 31 comeback over Carolina. This season’s been wild, and for the Rams the same three trouble spots popped again.

What are those issues? Special teams miscues like the blocked punt, a secondary that struggles with big, long receivers, and Stafford’s occasional recklessness, including one ugly pick. Puka Nacua breaking up a would-be second interception was the swing moment.

How did Carolina hang? They went four for four in the red zone, Dave Canales targeted those big bodies, and their defense pulled more levers than Chris Shula for most of the day.

What’s the read on Bryce Young? He moves well, the arm is fine, and he’s accurate with the right coach; he handled pressure until late when the Rams heated him up, and I’d lean team-friendly over massive deal.

How did the Rams close it? Down four with three timeouts and the two-minute warning, it felt like plenty of time. Stafford delivered, going six of seven for seventy-one yards with a near perfect rating while Puka kept winning and the tight ends chipped in.

So what are the Rams, really? They can beat heavyweights, then get dragged into coin-flips by teams like Carolina because a special-teams slip or early heat on Stafford can stall them.

Does the lack of a running quarterback matter? Yes, because defenses can play man without fearing scrambles. Guys like Josh Allen or even Justin Herbert steal third and mediums with their legs, so the Rams must win with scheme and timing.

How do you defend Puka? You try to bracket him, but like Amon-Ra St. Brown he wins with craft and strength more than pure speed. The rapport with Stafford keeps springing him loose.

What stood out in college this weekend? Indiana looks exquisitely coached in situational football, and you can see it in fourth downs, red zone, and special teams as good offenses get muted.

How does Miami fit into that picture? They reached the title game on defense, which tracks with college powers riding dominant fronts and corners, and in the matchup I like Indiana by a score—call it Indiana twenty-seven, Miami twenty.

And Fernando Mendoza? He looks like a franchise guy with a big arm, poise, and a willingness to push it downfield; the neck-up traits are elite, and while Miami’s aggression can force a couple early misses, Indiana’s receivers punish single coverage.

Final notes? Congrats to the Rams. For Bears-Packers I’ll take Chicago in a cold, windy one, twenty-seven to twenty-four, and the weather looks playable with light flurries.