A Week 13 clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers felt like the recipe for a lopsided affair, given the stark difference in the quality of quarterbacks for the two teams. While Bryce Young was failing to consistently eclipse 200 passing yards in a game, Matthew Stafford was among the best candidates for the MVP award.
However, their clash seemed like the perfect example of the anything is possible mantra of the NFL. As the Rams held a minor 21-17 lead, it seemed like anyone’s ball game through the first half. But the Panthers had some reason to hold out optimism, as their superstar rookie, Tetairoa McMillan, had failed to get going in the encounter.
What Happened to Tetairoa McMillan?
Despite the struggles of the passing game stemming from Young, their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft felt like a surefire winner through the first two-thirds of the season. With close to 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns, he’d made an immediate impact in Carolina.
But the first half against Los Angeles wasn’t one that McMillan would likely remember fondly. A pick-six bolstered their total to 17 points in the period, but the rookie sensation wasn’t a major contributor on the day.
As the passing offense managed less than 100 yards, McMillan was targeted just one time all game. He wasn’t able to make the catch, ending the half with a stat line that read zero receptions and zero yards.
Coming in at 34 on PFSN’s WR Impact, he has been a valuable contributor all year round for the Panthers, helping them build a 6-6 record that has them vying for a spot atop the division.
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Alongside an opportunistic defense and a spectacular duo on the ground in Rico Dowdle and Chubba Hubbard, McMillan has been able to provide a threat through the air to keep defenses honest, even as Young fails to wow with his production.
Tmac and the T is for Touchdown
Tetairoa McMillan x #ProBowlVote
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/fN5tchb342
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 30, 2025
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the rookie finally made his first reception. But in a tight ball game, he made it count immediately, bringing in a 43-yard touchdown reception to push Carolina into the driver’s seat with a 31-28 lead.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.