The Rams offense went 3-and-out to open the second half after three-straight incompletions, which led to a Panthers scoring drive capped off by a 46-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Fitzgerald to tie the game 17-17 with 7:23 left in the third quarter. The drive erased 7 minutes and 8 seconds off the clock.<\/p>\n
On the ensuing series, the Rams answered with a 42-yard field goal by Mevis to regain the lead 20-17 with 4:17 left in the third quarter. However, the kickoff return go to the Carolina 31 gained 15 extra yards from an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Rams outside linebacker Desjuan Johnson<\/a> after the return. Despite the consequent advantageous field position from its own 46, Carolina turned the ball over on downs after Young’s incomplete pass intended for Hubbard on 4th and 4 from the Rams 48.<\/p>\n However, the next drive saw Stafford sacked for a loss of nine yards on second down, then intercepted by Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson on third down, giving Carolina the ball back at its own 38. Helped by a 52-yard completion from Young to Coker and an unnecessary roughness penalty against inside linebacker Nate Landman<\/a>, Carolina took advantage of the takeaway to take the lead 24-20 on a 3-yard touchdown run by Hubbard with 14:34 left in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n