Israel Raybon saved the game for Carolina by tipping a fourth-down pass headed to a wide-open Aaron Laing in the end zone with 1:13 left.
Raybon, a third-string defensive end, was supposed to be rushing the passer on fourth-and-goal from the Carolina 1. Instead, he drifted into coverage and deflected the pass.
Teammates teased Raybon that he blew his assignment. He said he just made the best of the situation after getting knocked down at the start of the play.
“They’re saying I was out of position, but I’m just trying to show the coach I’m not a one-dimensional player,” Raybon said. “I had guys already doing my job, so why not drop back?”
The Panthers’ defense entered the game sixth in the NFL in touchdowns allowed, and held the Rams’ offense to a field goal.
Kerry Collins was 23 for 30 for 286 yards for the Panthers (6-6), and John Kasay added three field goals.
The Rams’ lone touchdown came on a 66-yard fumble return by Leslie O’Neal after Kevin Carter knocked the ball out of Collins’ hands on a sack in the second quarter. St. Louis (2-10) has lost eight straight and is tied with the Bears for the second-worst record in the NFL.
