The Atlanta Falcons, entering Monday night with little more than pride on the line, delivered a stunning performance to edge the playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams 27-24 in a dramatic Week 17 clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While the Falcons had been eliminated from postseason contention, they showed no signs of complacency, jumping out to a commanding 21-0 halftime lead and weathering a furious Rams comeback to notch their third straight win—their longest streak of the season.
From the opening whistle, Atlanta played with the energy of a team with everything to gain. Running back Bijan Robinson was the game’s undeniable star, racking up 229 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. His 93-yard sprint to the end zone in the second quarter was the Falcons’ longest rushing touchdown since 1991 and the longest by any NFL player this season, eclipsing Jonathan Taylor’s 83-yard run. That electrifying play, set up by rookie safety Xavier Watts’ interception deep in Atlanta territory, gave the Falcons a three-score cushion that would prove crucial as the night unfolded.
“I swear this game had everything. Record-breaking runs, blocked field goals, interceptions, sacks, what more could you want on a Monday night?” tweeted Falcons reporter Tori McElhaney, capturing the rollercoaster of emotions that defined this contest.
Robinson’s performance was more than just a highlight reel—he shattered the Falcons’ single-season record for yards from scrimmage, previously held by Williams Andrews since 1983. Entering the game needing 151 yards to break the mark, Robinson surged past it, finishing the night with 2,255 for the season. He also broke Christian McCaffrey’s NFL record for most scrimmage yards under the age of 24, now sitting at 5,605. With 10 total touchdowns this year, including four through the air, Robinson joined a select group of Falcons running backs to notch double-digit scrimmage touchdowns in multiple seasons.
The Falcons’ defense also rose to the occasion, forcing Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford into his worst outing of the season. Stafford, an MVP candidate coming into the night, was picked off three times—twice by All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, who returned one for a 34-yard touchdown, and once by Watts, whose second-quarter theft set up Robinson’s record run. Bates’ pick-six was the 32nd of Stafford’s career, tying him with Brett Favre for the most all time, and marked the third straight season Bates has returned an interception for a touchdown.
“This was going to be a post about how good Jessie Bates is, but Xavier Watts intercepted it,” quipped Will McFadden, another Falcons reporter, underscoring the embarrassment of riches in Atlanta’s secondary on Monday night. Watts, meanwhile, continued his breakout rookie campaign, tying and then breaking the franchise record for most interceptions by a rookie safety, previously held by Kenny Johnson since 1980.
Head coach Raheem Morris, who worked under Rams coach Sean McVay from 2021 to 2023, credited his time in Los Angeles for shaping his approach in Atlanta. “It’ll take time to consistently reach those standards, but Monday’s win shows positive strides are being made,” Morris said after the game. The victory improved Atlanta’s prime-time record to 4-1 this season and, perhaps more importantly, sent a message about the team’s direction under Morris’s leadership.
The Rams, who had already clinched a playoff berth with an 11-4 record, looked shell-shocked in the first half. It was the first time all season they’d been held scoreless in any half, and only the third such occurrence in McVay’s nine-year tenure. The Falcons’ defense limited Los Angeles to just 113 yards and five first downs before halftime, while Atlanta’s offense rolled up 211 yards and eight first downs on 7.5 yards per play.
Yet, the Rams would not go quietly. After halftime, Stafford found his rhythm, connecting with tight end Terrance Ferguson for a 27-yard touchdown and leading a late charge that saw the Rams tie the game at 24-24 with 2:46 left. A pivotal moment came late in the third quarter when Rams defender Jared Verse blocked a Zane Gonzalez field-goal attempt and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown, slicing Atlanta’s lead to 24-17—a dramatic 10-point swing that nearly changed the game’s trajectory.
The Falcons, however, refused to buckle. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, steady if unspectacular, orchestrated a clutch nine-play, 32-yard drive in the waning moments. With just 21 seconds left, kicker Zane Gonzalez calmly drilled a 51-yard field goal to put Atlanta back in front. The Rams had one last gasp, but three deep shots fell incomplete—including a controversial no-call on what appeared to be pass interference by Falcons cornerback Dee Alford on Tutu Atwell. The officials kept their flags in their pockets, and Atlanta escaped with the win.
“That may win them the game. RIGHT. DOWN. THE. MIDDLE,” reported Ryan Young, describing Gonzalez’s decisive kick that sent the Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
The loss likely cements the Rams as the NFC’s No. 6 seed, meaning they’ll avoid a tougher wild-card matchup against the NFC South winner—a race now thrown into chaos by Atlanta’s win. The division crown will come down to the final week, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers both in the hunt. If the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints next Sunday, the Panthers would clinch the division in a three-way tie scenario, regardless of Saturday’s Panthers-Bucs result.
On the injury front, the Falcons saw cornerback Mike Ford Jr. leave at halftime with an ankle issue, while defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus exited in the third quarter with a knee injury. Both situations will bear watching as Atlanta closes out its season.
Special teams also played a role, with punter Bradley Pinion pinning three punts inside the 20-yard line to set a new franchise single-season record at 32. Cornerback C.J. Henderson, making his first start for Atlanta due to Mike Hughes’ injury, continued to impress after a late-game interception sealed a win against Arizona the previous week.
As the dust settles, the Falcons can savor a night that saw records fall, hearts race, and a team with “nothing to play for” play its best football of the year. With one game left, Atlanta’s season finale against the Saints suddenly takes on new meaning for the NFC South, and the Falcons’ faithful will be watching closely to see if their team can finish strong and shake up the playoff picture one last time.
