Falcons Fly High on Monday Night: Rams’ Seeding Hopes Take a Hit in Atlanta
The Los Angeles Rams (11-5) entered Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night with a clear mission: keep pace in the race for NFC seeding and shake off the sting of a heartbreaking overtime loss to Seattle. Instead, they ran into a buzzsaw in the form of a motivated Atlanta Falcons (7-9) squad. In a game that defied the “no-stakes” narrative for the home team, Atlanta dominated from start to finish, securing a stunning 24–10 victory on Monday Night Football.
The win for Atlanta wasn’t just a spoiler move; it was a statement. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Falcons showcased the “mimic and mock” philosophy head coach Raheem Morris has brought from his time with Sean McVay, ultimately beating his former mentor at his own game.
Game Summary: The Bijan Robinson Show
If there was one player who owned the turf in Atlanta tonight, it was Bijan Robinson. The Pro Bowl running back cemented his case as one of the league’s premier skill players, putting up a performance that left the Rams’ defense searching for answers.
- First Quarter Fireworks: Atlanta opened the scoring with a methodical 11-play, 65-yard drive. Kirk Cousins, showing the veteran poise that has stabilized the Falcons’ offense since returning as the starter, capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Robinson.
- The Defensive Surge: While Robinson led the offense, the Falcons’ secondary turned the game on its head. In the second quarter, safety Jessie Bates III read Matthew Stafford’s eyes perfectly, jumping a route and returning an interception 34 yards for a touchdown.
- The Knockout Blow: Just moments later, safety Xavier Watts picked off Stafford again. On the very next play, Robinson took a handoff and gashed the Rams’ defense for a 93-yard touchdown run, sending the Atlanta crowd into a frenzy and putting the Falcons up 21–0 at the half.
Rams Struggle to Find Rhythm
For Matthew Stafford and the NFL’s top-scoring offense, the night was a series of “what ifs.” Missing star receiver Davante Adams for the second straight week, the Rams leaned heavily on Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, but the Falcons’ pass rush—led by rookies James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker—made life miserable in the pocket.
Stafford did manage to make history, passing Ben Roethlisberger to move into sixth place on the NFL’s all-time passing yardage list. However, the milestone was overshadowed by a lackluster offensive output. The Rams’ first points didn’t come until the third quarter via a 35-yard Harrison Mevis field goal.
A late spark emerged when Stafford connected with rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson for a 6-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 24–10, but the Falcons’ defense tightened up, forcing a late turnover on downs to seal the result.
Box Score & Key Stats
| Category | Los Angeles Rams | Atlanta Falcons |
| Total Points | 10 | 24 |
| Total Yards | 284 | 382 |
| Passing Yards | 192 | 165 |
| Rushing Yards | 92 | 217 |
| Turnovers | 2 (Interceptions) | 0 |
Individual Standouts:
- ATL – Bijan Robinson: 155 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD (93 yards), 1 receiving TD.
- ATL – Jessie Bates III: 1 INT, 1 Defensive TD, 6 tackles.
- LAR – Matthew Stafford: 18/32, 192 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs.
- LAR – Puka Nacua: 7 receptions, 84 yards.
Playoff Implications and What’s Next
The loss is a significant blow for the Rams. After losing the NFC West lead to the Seahawks in Week 16, this defeat virtually locks them into a Wild Card spot, likely as the 5th or 6th seed. They will return home for a Week 18 clash against the Arizona Cardinals, needing a win to build momentum before the postseason.
For the Falcons, the season will conclude in Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints. While they won’t be playing in January, tonight’s victory provides a massive confidence boost for Raheem Morris’ program and a glimpse of what a Bijan-led offense can do when firing on all cylinders.
Watch the Highlights: Fans can catch the full game highlights and post-game interviews on the NFL’s official YouTube channel or via the ESPN app.
For more updates on the Rams’ playoff path and Week 18 schedule, visit this link.
