Panthers-Rams Wild Card Weather Report: Will There Be a Rain Delay After Latest Thunderstorm Forecast?
The wildcard NFL playoff slate is set to kick off with the Los Angeles Rams traveling for a rematch against the Carolina Panthers today, at 4:30 p.m. ET, though the weather could play a major role in the game.
Let’s take a look at how the weather could impact the most important game up to this point for these two squads:
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Could There Be a Weather Delay During the Game?
Current weather projections from AccuWeather predict a 57% chance of thunderstorms starting at 4 p.m., with precipitation expected to follow shortly thereafter.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the delay is a real possibility, both before or during the game.
Though teams commonly play through the rain, any lightning strike would cause the game to be postponed for at least 30 minutes, with another 30-minute reset if another strike were to occur.
Florio also shared that if lightning delays this game, the NFL can slide the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers evening game by 10 minutes. If this happens, there’s a chance that the early game will wrap up by the time the later game starts.
If the early game does get delayed, it wouldn’t be the first time it has happened this season. In the season opener, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles game was delayed for about an hour due to lightning and thunderstorms near Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Other weather delays included a brief lightning delay in the Week 1 Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos matchup, as well as another Week 1 delay between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Carolina Panthers.
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A delay today could make this matchup even more interesting than expected. The Rams will be looking for revenge after their week 13 loss, in which they traveled across the country to get upset.
Panthers’ quarterback Bryce Young played one of his best and most efficient games of the season, completing 75% of his passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, with two of them coming on fourth down.
Oppositely, Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford had one of his worst games of 2025, contributing two interceptions and a crucial late fumble that helped seal the Panthers’ victory and end the Rams’ six-game winning streak.
The loss would play a part in preventing the Rams from getting the top playoff seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Now, the Rams have a chance for payback this afternoon. If the San Francisco 49ers or the Green Bay Packers do not win this week, the winner of the Rams-Panthers game will go on to play the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round next week.
