Matthew Stafford's MVP momentum collided with fan criticism Sunday as the Los Angeles Rams fell 31-28 to the Carolina Panthers. The veteran quarterback was responsible for three turnovers in the road loss. He had two interceptions and a late-game fumble, handing a Carolina team fighting for playoff relevance the opening it needed.
The defeat halted Los Angeles' six-game surge and reshuffled the NFC standings, pushing the Rams out of the conference's top position.
Fans had a field day on X.
"Matthew Stafford Vegas made the call," one fan wrote.
"MVP arc over," another fan posted.
"MVP arc over but CJ Stroud win. I'll take it for my favorite QBs," a third fan added.
More fans reacted to the loss.
"Let's see if Matthew Stafford gets the same criticism that Brock Purdy got. Both QBs had 3 turnovers against the Panthers, difference is Purdy still got the win. Stafford cost his team," another fan tweeted.
Entering the matchup, Stafford had one of the cleanest stretches of quarterback play in the league, racking up 28 touchdown passes without turning the ball over since late September.
That took a dramatic turn against the Panthers. Stafford connected with Davante Adams for an early touchdown, extending his league-leading scoring mark. But a red-zone throw later in the first half ricocheted into the hands of safety Nick Scott, ending his interception-free streak.
Carolina capitalized again shortly after, jumping an outside route and taking an interception back for a touchdown, swinging momentum and placing Los Angeles in an early hole.
Matthew Stafford steadied the offense as the game progressed, linking with Davante Adams for another score. Teammates Blake Corum and Kyren Williams each punched in rushing touchdowns to reclaim the lead midway through the fourth. But Panthers quarterback Bryce Young responded with a deep strike on fourth down to regain control, and Los Angeles was forced to mount one final drive.
The Rams pushed beyond midfield on a 10-play series, positioning themselves for a potential tying or winning score. Instead, defensive lineman Derrick Brown burst through on third down and dislodged the ball from Stafford, with Carolina recovering and protecting possession the rest of the way. A third-down completion from Young moments later allowed the Panthers to kill the clock and seal the upset.