Monday Night Football lived up to its billing as the Atlanta Falcons stunned the playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams with a dramatic 27-24 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2025. Entering the contest with a disappointing 6-9 record and no playoff hopes, the Falcons showed no signs of letting up against a Rams squad looking to improve their postseason seeding. In a game filled with momentum swings, big plays, and late-game controversy, Atlanta’s resilience—and a few missed calls—proved decisive.
Before this matchup, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had a mixed history against the Falcons. In six previous meetings, he completed 61% of his passes, averaged a robust 305 yards per game, and tallied eight touchdowns against four interceptions, splitting those contests evenly at three wins apiece. But under the bright lights of Monday night, Stafford’s fortunes would take a turn for the worse.
From the opening whistle, Atlanta played like a team with everything on the line. The Falcons raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead, leaving the Rams and their fans in disbelief. The first half belonged to running back Bijan Robinson, who delivered a career night. Robinson racked up 138 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns before the break, including a breathtaking 93-yard touchdown sprint that electrified the home crowd and capped off Atlanta’s early dominance. By game’s end, Robinson had amassed 195 yards on 22 carries with a rushing score, and added 5 catches for 34 yards and another touchdown—numbers that would make any fantasy manager drool.
But perhaps the most pivotal play of the first half came courtesy of the Falcons’ defense. All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III intercepted Stafford and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, giving Atlanta a 14-0 lead. According to the "Monday Night Football" broadcast, it was the 32nd pick-six of Stafford’s 17-year career, tying him with Brett Favre for the most all time. That stat’s not one Stafford will want to remember, especially as it dents his MVP hopes in what’s become a two-man race with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Stafford’s night wasn’t without its struggles. He finished 22 of 38 for 269 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a costly 3 interceptions, raising his season total from five to eight. The Falcons’ defense, led by Xavier Watts and Bates, kept the pressure on, capitalizing on errant throws and snuffing out promising drives. As halftime arrived, the Rams found themselves shut out—a rare occurrence for a Sean McVay-coached team, marking just the third time in his nine-year tenure that Los Angeles failed to score in the first half.
Still, the Rams refused to go quietly. The third quarter saw a dramatic shift in momentum when Jared Verse blocked a Zane Gonzalez field goal attempt, scooped up the loose ball, and dashed 78 yards for a Rams touchdown. The play was a 10-point swing, cutting Atlanta’s lead to 24-17 and breathing life into the Los Angeles sideline. Stafford then connected with tight end Terrance Ferguson for a 27-yard touchdown, and later found Puka Nacua for an 11-yard score that tied the game at 24 with just under three minutes to play. Suddenly, the Rams looked poised to complete a miraculous comeback.
But the Falcons, undeterred by the Rams’ rally, mounted a composed nine-play, 32-yard drive. With just 21 seconds left on the clock, kicker Zane Gonzalez calmly drilled a 51-yard field goal, putting Atlanta back on top 27-24. The stadium erupted as Gonzalez’s kick sailed right down the middle, and the Falcons’ sideline exploded in celebration.
The drama wasn’t done yet. The Rams, desperate for a chance to tie or win, pushed downfield in the final seconds. Stafford took three deep shots, and on the second attempt, appeared to connect with Tutu Atwell—only for officials to miss a potential pass interference call on Falcons cornerback Dee Alford, who had a hold of Atwell’s left arm. The no-call loomed large, as it would have set the Rams up for a chip-shot field goal to force overtime. Instead, the Falcons held on, and the clock expired with Atlanta on top.
“We played for pride tonight,” Robinson said postgame, beaming after his monster performance. “Nobody gave us a chance, but we wanted to show what we’re made of.” The sentiment echoed throughout the Falcons’ locker room, as players and coaches celebrated their third consecutive win despite being eliminated from playoff contention.
For the Rams, the loss stings beyond the scoreboard. Already assured of a playoff spot, Los Angeles now drops to the NFC’s No. 6 seed, likely facing a daunting wild-card matchup against either the Philadelphia Eagles or Chicago Bears. The difference between the fifth and sixth seed is significant: the No. 5 seed travels to face the NFC South winner—either the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers—while the No. 6 seed faces a tougher opponent in the NFC East or North.
The Falcons’ victory also throws a wrench into the NFC South playoff picture. While Atlanta can’t reach the postseason, their win means the Panthers and Buccaneers’ Saturday matchup could decide the division. Yet, if the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints next week, the Panthers would clinch the division in the event of a three-way tie at 8-9. Suddenly, a team with nothing to play for has become a kingmaker in the playoff race.
The night was filled with what-ifs for the Rams—missed opportunities, costly turnovers, and that controversial no-call in the dying seconds. Stafford’s three interceptions, including the pick-six to Bates, proved too much to overcome, even as the offense found its rhythm late. The Rams’ vaunted attack, which had averaged over 25 points per game, was held scoreless for an entire half and struggled to establish the run, with Blake Corum managing just 18 yards on six carries.
Meanwhile, the Falcons executed their game plan to perfection in the first half and weathered the storm when the Rams charged back. Khalid Kareem, elevated from the practice squad for the game, made his presence felt by stuffing Rams running back Kyren Williams on a crucial fourth-and-one in the red zone. The defense’s ability to create turnovers and make stops in key moments was the difference.
As the dust settles on Week 17, the Falcons can take pride in playing spoiler, while the Rams must regroup ahead of the regular season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. For Atlanta, the focus shifts to next week’s clash with the Saints—a chance to end the season on a high note and impact the playoff fate of their division rivals once more.
In a season where little has gone as planned for Atlanta, Monday night’s triumph over the Rams offered a glimpse of what could be—and a reminder that in the NFL, pride and perseverance can still steal the show.
