Rams bolster defense vs. Panthers with last-minute transactions. 

Detected Manipulations & Suggested Changes

Biased language

Use of value-laden or slanted wording that subtly favors one side or frames events in a particular light.

1) "Los Angeles lit up the Arizona Cardinals, earning the No. 2 seed..." 2) "the dismal NFC South" 3) "the Rams are expected to torch the Panthers." These phrases go beyond neutral description. "Lit up" and "torch" are vivid, aggressive metaphors that emphasize dominance and implicitly praise the Rams while diminishing their opponents. Calling the NFC South "dismal" is a subjective characterization rather than a neutral description of competitiveness or record quality.

3 suggestions

Replace "Los Angeles lit up the Arizona Cardinals" with a more neutral phrase such as "Los Angeles defeated the Arizona Cardinals" or "Los Angeles beat the Arizona Cardinals convincingly."

Replace "the dismal NFC South" with a factual description, e.g., "the NFC South, where no team finished with a winning record" or "the NFC South, which was tightly contested despite overall losing records."

Replace "the Rams are expected to torch the Panthers" with a neutral expectation based on odds or analysis, e.g., "the Rams enter the game as favorites against the Panthers" or "oddsmakers have the Rams favored over the Panthers."

Unsubstantiated claims

Presenting a claim or prediction as fact without providing supporting evidence, data, or attribution.

"While Carolina enters the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, the Rams are expected to torch the Panthers." The article does not attribute this expectation to betting lines, analysts, or statistics. It is presented as a general truth without evidence or a clear source, and the strong verb "torch" amplifies the claim.

3 suggestions

Attribute the expectation to a specific source: "According to betting odds from [sportsbook], the Rams are favored over the Panthers" or "Many analysts expect the Rams to win comfortably against the Panthers."

Add context or data to support the claim, such as recent performance, point spreads, or advanced metrics, and phrase it as a possibility rather than a certainty: "Based on their 12–5 record and recent offensive performances, some expect the Rams to have a significant advantage over the Panthers."

Soften the language and clarify it is a prediction, not a fact: "the Rams are considered favorites against the Panthers" instead of "are expected to torch the Panthers."

Sensationalism

Use of dramatic or emotionally charged language to create excitement or impact beyond what the facts alone support.

1) "Los Angeles lit up the Arizona Cardinals..." 2) "Ingle first drew attention in the preseason for a brutal blindside hit on Quentin Johnston." 3) "the Rams are expected to torch the Panthers." "Lit up," "brutal," and "torch" are vivid, sensational terms that heighten drama. While sports writing often uses colorful language, these choices move away from strictly objective reporting and toward dramatization.

3 suggestions

Use more neutral verbs for game outcomes: replace "lit up" with "defeated" or "beat."

For the hit description, keep it factual and grounded in official rulings: e.g., "Ingle first drew attention in the preseason for a blindside hit on Quentin Johnston that resulted in a concussion and a $4,666 fine for an excessive hit." (The word "brutal" can be omitted or attributed to a source, such as "widely described as brutal.")

Replace "torch the Panthers" with a non-sensational phrase like "are favored against the Panthers" or "are expected to have an advantage over the Panthers."

Unbalanced reporting

Providing significantly more detail, context, or favorable framing for one side than for the other.

The article provides detailed information about the Rams’ roster moves, injuries, and depth (Quentin Lake’s return, Tanner Ingle and Nick Hampton elevations, Shaun Dolac’s IR status, special teams roles). In contrast, the Panthers are only briefly described by record, seeding, and division outcome, with no comparable detail on their roster, injuries, or strengths. Additionally, the closing line frames the matchup from the Rams’ perspective: "the Rams are expected to torch the Panthers," which emphasizes Rams superiority without presenting any countervailing information about Carolina’s potential strengths or reasons the game might be competitive.

3 suggestions

Add parallel detail about the Panthers’ situation: key injuries, recent performance trends, notable players returning or missing, and any roster moves they have made ahead of the game.

Include at least one or two points highlighting the Panthers’ strengths or reasons they might be competitive (e.g., defensive rankings, recent improvements, or home-field advantage).

Rephrase the conclusion to acknowledge uncertainty and both sides, e.g., "The 8–9 Panthers will host the 12–5 Rams in Saturday’s Wild Card matchup, with Los Angeles entering as the favorite but Carolina looking to capitalize on home field and its NFC South title."