The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Los Angeles Rams hit the road to face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, December 29, 2025. Coming off a weekend where playoff fates shifted dramatically, the Rams enter this matchup knowing their postseason seeding hangs in the balance. With the San Francisco 49ers’ nail-biting win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, Los Angeles officially slipped out of the NFC West title race, ensuring they’ll be either the fifth or sixth seed when the dust settles. But don’t think for a second that means this contest is meaningless—far from it!
Why is the difference between the fifth and sixth seed so crucial? It all comes down to the quality of potential opponents. If the Rams claim the fifth seed, they’ll visit either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Carolina Panthers, both from a relatively weak NFC South, where the division champ will finish no better than 9-8. On the other hand, ending up as the sixth seed would send them to face either the Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles, both likely to close the season at 12-5. That’s a massive swing in difficulty, and you can bet the Rams are motivated to make tonight count.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Los Angeles enters as a seven-point favorite, with the total set at 48.5 points. Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook even bumped the line to 7.5 points, reflecting the consensus that the Rams are the superior squad and, more importantly, a team with everything to play for. As Richard Sherman put it, “The Rams are a good football team. More importantly, they’re a motivated football team. I think the Rams cover this spread with no problems.”
But let’s not forget, the Falcons have been showing some late-season life. Their offense has improved over recent games, with dynamic rookie Bijan Robinson leading the way. Robinson has been a revelation, surpassing 2,000 combined yards this season and scoring over 29.00 fantasy points in four of his last six outings, including back-to-back games with more than 160 combined yards and a touchdown in each. He’s become a high-floor, high-ceiling threat, especially in the passing game, where the Rams’ defense has occasionally shown cracks. Los Angeles has allowed 72 receptions for 552 yards and two touchdowns to running backs, averaging 7.8 yards per catch—a stat Robinson will be eager to exploit.
Still, the Rams’ defense isn’t a pushover. They rank seventh against running backs in PPR formats, allowing only five rushing touchdowns and 4.0 yards per carry. While the likes of Christian McCaffrey and the Seahawks have managed big games, the unit generally holds its own on the ground. The real challenge for Atlanta might be generating consistent offense if the Rams’ front seven can contain Robinson and force the Falcons to rely on less explosive options.
On the other side of the ball, all eyes will be on Kyren Williams, the Rams’ feature back. Despite sharing snaps with rookie Blake Corum, Williams has taken 234 carries to Corum’s 126 and has been a virtual lock for production since the team’s Week 8 bye. He’s topped 70 rushing yards in seven of eight games since then and is coming off a performance where he handled 23 carries—his second-highest total this season. “Williams is still the feature back,” wrote Griffin Wong, “and is a virtual guarantee to record at least 70 yards.” He’s also found the end zone six times over his last six games, making him a favorite to score again tonight.
Corum, for his part, has been a pleasant surprise. Over the past four games, he’s racked up 370 combined yards and five touchdowns, often spelling Williams for about a third of the snaps. His role as a change-of-pace back keeps defenses honest and gives the Rams a reliable option in short-yardage and goal-line scenarios. If the Falcons’ defense keys too heavily on Williams, Corum could be poised for another breakout.
The Falcons’ run defense, meanwhile, has shown vulnerability, especially on a per-carry basis. They’ve allowed 4.6 yards per carry—the eighth-worst mark in the NFL—and 14 rushing touchdowns, ranking just 19th in running back defense (350.10 fantasy points allowed). Losing Sam Roberts, a key interior lineman, to a knee injury for this game only compounds their issues. With Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips III also ruled out from the secondary, Atlanta’s defense could be stretched thin both up front and in coverage.
Fantasy football managers are watching this matchup closely, particularly those with stakes in the DraftKings Showdown slate. Williams, Corum, and Robinson are all popular picks, but there’s intrigue around Atlanta’s Tyler Allgeier as well. Allgeier is a goal-line specialist with eight touchdowns on the year, though he’s currently on a three-game scoreless streak and has struggled to maintain efficiency at home, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry in Atlanta. For him to make a difference tonight, the Falcons will need to get him touches inside the five-yard line—and hope he can break his recent drought.
Don’t overlook the passing game, either. Puka Nacua has been electric for the Rams, establishing himself as a go-to target for Matthew Stafford and drawing praise as a “difference-maker” who’s playing at an Offensive Player of the Year level. Sherman lists Nacua, Williams, and Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts as his top anytime touchdown picks for the night, saying, “Those are strong picks, and I like their chances.” Pitts, for his part, has turned up the heat in recent weeks and could be a key red-zone weapon for Atlanta.
For the Rams, the playoff math is straightforward but not simple. A win tonight doesn’t clinch the fifth seed outright, but it puts them in the driver’s seat. They’d then need the Seattle Seahawks to beat the 49ers on the final day of the season, regardless of how Los Angeles fares against the Arizona Cardinals. Every yard, every snap, and every point tonight could shape the Rams’ postseason journey.
As kickoff approaches, anticipation is building for a high-scoring, hard-fought contest. The Rams are favored, and their motivation is clear, but the Falcons—unburdened by playoff pressure—could play spoiler if Robinson and Pitts deliver big plays. With injuries mounting on Atlanta’s defense and stars on both sides looking to make a statement, Monday Night Football promises fireworks for fans and fantasy players alike.
As the action unfolds in Atlanta, one thing is certain: the path to the playoffs is anything but settled, and tonight’s result will echo well into January.
