Game Scout: Rams at Panthers
St. Louis Rams (3-3) at Carolina Panthers (2-3)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. - TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Dick Stockton, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin
*Keys to the game: The Rams don't have a rushing touchdown from inside the red zone this season, but coach Jeff Fisher credits the production of RB Zac Stacy (157 yards the past two weeks) for helping open more opportunities for the offense as a whole. St. Louis has scored 12 TDs in 18 red-zone possessions for the season, but that improved ground game will be put to the test against Carolina's fourth-ranked run defense. The Panthers need to get QB Sam Bradford out of game manager mode and force him to make plays down the field while under pressure. The Panthers are confident they can control time of possession and field position. Carolina's offense lacks glitz, but the ground game is producing an average of 135.8 yards while St. Louis enters with the league's third-word run defense. If the Rams can force QB Cam Newton into third-and-longs, they can attack the Panthers' makeshift offensive line and take advantage of Newton's inconsistent accuracy.
*Matchup to watch - Rams DE Robert Quinn vs. Panthers LT Jordan Gross: Gross is still going strong in his 11th season, but he'll have a big test with Quinn bringing an NFC-best 6.0 sacks to town. With Chris Long on the other side, Quinn is often free to work one on one.
*Player spotlight - Panthers S Quintin Mikell: Mikell started all 32 games for the Rams over the past two seasons, and practiced against Bradford on a daily basis. Mikell is battling rookie Robert Lester for playing time, but his familiarity with Bradford could prove very beneficial while manning the back end of Carolina's defense.
*Fast facts: Of the Rams' 12 red-zone touchdowns this season, six have been by tight ends. ... The Panthers have outscored their opponents by 41 points this season - the most for a 2-3 team since 1921, according to the New York Times.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Good luck figuring out which Panthers team comes out of the locker room. The one that blew out the Giants and Vikings? Or the one that laid an egg against the Bills and Cardinals? Carolina has played tough at home and can slowly pound St. Louis into submission with its ground game.
*Our pick: Panthers 24-19
