Rams catch a massive break ahead of their Week 13 showdown with Panthers

Not that the Los Angeles Rams, the NFC's No. 1 seed and winners of six straight games, may not have asked for any help, but they certainly got it. Their upcoming matchup with the Carolina Panthers just got softer, and it has nothing to do with them.

The NFL has suspended Panthers standout safety Tre'Von Moehrig without pay for one game "for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct," per an official league announcement. For those who didn't see, he appeared to deliver a low blow to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings in Carolina's Week 12 loss.

Moehrig is reportedly appealing the punishment for his dirty move, but it's hard to see the league overturning this verdict. With that in mind, he'll presumably be sidelined when the Rams travel to Carolina to face the Panthers, which bodes well for Los Angeles.

Rams get lucky break as NFL suspends Panthers' Tre'Von Moehrig

Few players have had a greater impact on the Panthers' surprisingly successful campaign than Moehrig. He's been the instant difference-maker they hoped for when signing him to a three-year, $51 million contract in free agency this past offseason. His absence against a white-hot Rams club that is firing on all cylinders offensively is bad news for Carolina.

Without Moehrig, slowing down MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford and Los Angeles' high-powered scoring unit becomes that much harder for the Panthers. The Rams have been virtually unstoppable in 2025, specifically over the past month and a half. Better still, the team could be welcoming back speedy wide receiver Tutu Atwell in this one.

Since Week 6, the Rams are the highest-scoring offense in football (30.2 points per game). They've had little trouble moving up and down the field during this stretch, and it's unlikely the Panthers are the ones to derail their momentum. Moehrig's behavior surely doesn't help matters for Carolina.

Carolina has moved Moehrig around the formation, allowing his versatile skill set to shine. Whether it be lining up in the box, slot, free safety spot, or even on the defensive line, his malleability has enhanced their impressive year-over-year turnaround. He ranks sixth (81.6) and 23rd (76.7), respectively, out of 94 qualified safeties in Pro Football Focus' pass rushing and run-defending grades.