The Atlanta Falcons entered Monday night at 6-9 with nothing to play for. They didn't get that memo against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams.
Atlanta jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and held off a second-half Rams rally fora thrilling 27-24 win. The Rams tied the game at 24-24 late in the fourth quarter. But the Falcons responded to set up a game-winning field-goal attempt by Zane Gonzalez. He was good from 51 yards to secure the win and stave off a Falcons collapse.
Late no-call helps secure Falcons' win
The Rams missed on three deep shots to get into field-goal range in the game's final 21 seconds. On the second attempt to wide receiver Tutu Atwell, officials missed a potential pass interference call that would have set up the Rams in chip-shot FG range. Cornerback Dee Alford had a hold of Atwell's left arm, but officials didn't call pass interference, and the Falcons held on for the win.
tutu atwell; dee alford; rams vs falconspic.twitter.com/s8Icc1axLw
— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0)December 30, 2025
Bad night for Stafford's MVP case
The loss could help keep the playoff-bound Rams in the NFC's No. 6 seed and block them from the No. 5 spot, which offers a tougher matchup in the wild-card round.
The No. 5 seed will travel to face the NFC South winner, which will either be the the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The No. 6 seed projects to travel to face either the Philadelphia Eagles or Chicago Bears. Seeding won't be finalized until the dust settles on Week 18.
Monday's result also plays a significant factor in two late-season NFL storylines.
The Falcons intercepted Matthew Stafford three times, including a pick 6, delivering a blow to his MVP hopes in what's largely seen as a two-man race with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. The pick 6 by Jessie Bates III spotted the Falcons a 14-0 lead in the first half.
STAFFORD PICK-SIX 😲The Falcons lead 14-0.pic.twitter.com/EiUkf5tiKB
— TSN (@TSN_Sports)December 30, 2025
When the night was over, Stafford completed 22 of 38 passes for 269 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. And it increased his season-long interception total from five to eight.
One bad night, of course, isn't going to tank Stafford's MVP case. But on the heels ofMaye's five-touchdown effortin a blowout of the Jets on Sunday,the MVP race has gotten considerably tighter.
Bucs' playoff hopes take a hit
The surprise Falcons win is also a threat to the playoff hopes of the Buccaneers. The Bucs play the Panthers on Saturday afternoon in a game that could determine the NFC South champion and the division's only playoff berth.
But if the Falcons win next Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday's Panthers-Bucs result won't matter. The Panthers would secure the division in the event of a three-way tie with the Falcons and Bucs at 8-9 if Tampa Bay and Atlanta both win next week.
Big night from Bijan Robinson
The Falcons built their big lead behind a huge first half from Robinson, who tallied 138 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns before the break.
Robinson finished the night with 22 carries for 195 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He added 5 catches for 34 yards and another score. He capped the first half with a 93-yard touchdown run that was set up by Stafford's second interception and extended the Falcons' lead to 21-0.
SEEEEEEEYA 🏎️BIJAN TAKES IT 93-YARDS TO THE HOUSE.pic.twitter.com/iAaocCMj0h
— TSN (@TSN_Sports)December 30, 2025
It appeared to put the Falcons in complete control.
Rams rally, but come up short
But the game swung in the second half when Jared Verse blocked a Gonzalez field-goal attempt, then scooped the ball up and returned it 78 yards for a Rams touchdown. Instead of a 27-10 Falcons lead late in the third quarter with a made field goal, the Rams cut their deficit to 24-17.
JARED VERSE FG BLOCK HOUSE CALL!📺@ESPNNFL|#RamsHousepic.twitter.com/PGE70wqZth
— x - Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL)December 30, 2025
The Rams then tied the game at 24 on an 11-yard touchdown from Stafford to Puka Nacua with 2:46 remaining. They appeared to have the Falcons on the ropes.
But the Falcons maintained their composure and responded with a nine-play, 32-yard drive that set Gonzalez up for the game-winning attempt. Gonzalez was pure from 51 yards with 21 seconds remaining, and the Falcons fended off Los Angeles' last-gasp effort to get into field-goal range to hold on for the win.
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Up Next
The Rams have already clinched a playoff spot, but they are now in the No. 6 seed with the loss. That's likely where they'll stay, too, unless they beat the Arizona Cardinals next week and get some help.
The Falcons will wrap up the regular season against the New Orleans Saints next weekend. While they are out of the playoffs already, a win there would hand the NFC South to the Carolina Panthers.
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Matthew Stafford vs. Kirk Cousins
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Final: Falcons 27, Rams 24
After nearly blowing their massive 21-0 lead, the Falcons have held on to grab a narrow win over the Rams thanks to Zane Gonzales' 51-yard field goal in the final minute. Puka Nacua nearly had a WILD grab to put the Rams in field goal position, but he bobbled it on his way out of bounds.
The Falcons, who have already been eliminated from the playoffs, have now won three straight.
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Falcons take the lead on a FG!
This one went off perfectly. Zane Gonzales just drilled a 51-yard field goal, and the Falcons are out in front with about 20 seconds left on the clock. That may win them the game.
RIGHT. DOWN. THE. MIDDLE.
Zane Gonzalez drills the FG to put the @AtlantaFalcons up three with 21 seconds left.
The Falcons will get the ball back now with 2:46 left with a chance to go win it.
Ryan Young
Rams get the ball right back
As far as a fourth-quarter interception goes, the Rams got lucky there. They came up with a quick three-and-out after the pick and the penalty, so they'll get the ball back almost right away after a punt.
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Stafford throws another INT!
That was such a promising drive for the Rams, too. Matthew Stafford tried to get it to Terrance Ferguson there on a short fourth down, but Xavier Watts jumped in front and pulled off the interception.
Watts ran it all the way back to the end zone, but officials brought it back after he stepped out of bounds just barely. A Falcons coach cut off an official, too, which brought the play back another 15 yards.
PICKED! Xavier Watts with his 2nd of the game 🙌
After review it was determined he stepped out before scoring.
The Rams are rolling now. They just forced a quick three-and-out there after breaking up a pass intended for Bijan Robinson there on third down, so the Rams will get the ball back right away in the four
Jason Owens
Rams back in it on Jared Verse blocked FG, TD return
This is how you get back into the game.
The Falcons were on the verge of a 3-possession lead with a 37-yard field-goal attempt by Zane Gonzalez. Instead, the Rams have cut the Atlanta lead to seven.
Jared Verse blocked Gonzalez's attempt, then scooped the ball up and returned it 78 yards untouched for a touchdown. The 10-point swing has cut Atlanta's lead to 24-17 late in the third quarter, and the tenor of this game has taken a dramatic shift.
This is what MVP-candidate Matthew Stafford looks like.
Stafford rolled out on a play-action pass and threw a 27-yard laser to tight end Terrance Ferguson in the end zone for the first Rams touchdown of the night. Los Angeles cuts the Atlanta lead to 24-10 with 4:59 remaining in the third quarter. This one's not over.
The Falcons answered with a 56-yard Zane Gonzalez field goal and have extended their lead back to 21 points at 24-21 with 7:46 remaining in the third quarter.
The Rams need a touchdown, and fast.
Jason Owens
Rams on the board, but settle for FG
The Rams are on the board, but they remain down by three possessions.
Los Angeles went for it and converted on fourth-and-6 on its first possession of the the second half. But when they faced fourth-and-12 in field-goal range, they settled for a 35-yard Harrison Mevis kick.
The Falcons hold a 21-3 lead early in the third quarter.
Jason Owens
Halftime stats: Falcons 21, Rams 0
It's all Falcons at halftime in a stunner against a playoff-bound Rams team.
The Falcons have intercepted Matthew Stafford twice and take a 21-0 lead into the break. A 93-yard Bijan Robinson touchdown run capped off the explosive Atlanta first half.
Falcons Kirk Cousins: 7 of 11, 68 yards, 1 TD, no turnovers Bijan Robinson: 11 carries, 125 yards; 2 catches, 13 yards; 2 total TDs Jessie Bates: 1 interception returned for TD
Rams Matthew Stafford: 9 of 17, 96 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs including 1 pick 6 Blake Corum: 6 carries for 18 yards Puka Nacua: 2 catches for 18 yards
Falcons total offense: 211 yards on 7.5 yards per play, 8 first downs Rams total offense: 113 yards on 4 yards per play, 5 first downs
Falcons turnovers: 0 Rams turnovers: 2
Jason Owens
Falcons hold Rams scoreless in first half
What a stunner. The Falcons are taking a 21-0 lead into halftime while holding a Sean McVay-coached Rams team scoreless in the first half for just the third time in McVay's 9-year stint.
Two interceptions of Matthew Stafford and a 93-yard Bijan Robinson touchdown run highlight an electric first half for the Falcons
Jason Owens
Falcons intercept Matthew Stafford again, convert it into big Bijan TD
The Falcons have blown this thing open after Mathew Stafford's second interception of the game
Xavier Watts intercepted a Stafford deep ball on first down despite an offensive pass interference penalty on receiver Xavier Smith.
One play later, Bijan Robinson took it to the house for a 93-yard touchdown run an 21-0 Atlanta lead.
A high-octane Rams offense has been anything put and remains off the scoreboard at the first-half 2-minute warning.
They have the ball back near midfield after a Falcons punt and will look to run a successful 2-minute drill to cut into Atlanta's 14-0 lead.
Jason Owens
Rams punt after penalty negates sensational Puka Nacua catch
The Rams thought they were in the red zone when Puka Nacua made a sensational contested sideline catch inside the 5-yard line for a 36-yard gain.
But left tackle D.J. Humphries wasn't lined up on the line of scrimmage and got flagged for an illegal formation penalty that negated the big gain. The Rams punted 3 plays later and remain scoreless as the Falcons hold a 14-0 lead with 4:11 remaining in the first half.
Matthew Stafford throws pick 6, and Falcons have 14-0 lead
The Falcons have nothing to play for but are competing tonight.
Matthew Stafford missed the mark with an overthrow downfield, and All-Pro safety Jessie Bates picked it off downfield. Bates returned it 34 yards for a touchdown and 14-0 Falcons lead.
The interception was just Stafford's sixth of the season. It was the 32nd pick 6 of his 17-season career, tying him with Brett Favre for the most all time, according to the "Monday Night Football" broadcast.
It won't help his case as he looks to secure league MVP.
The Falcons ran 10 plays after forcing the turnover on downs in the red zone, but only advanced to their own 48-yard line. They punted on fourth-and-9, and the Rams have the ball back with a 7-0 deficit and 9:54 remaining in the second quarter.
Jason Owens
Falcons stuff Kyren Williams on fourth down
Khalid Kareem was elevated from Atlanta's practice squad for Monday's game and immediately rewarded the Falcons for their decision.
The sixth-year pro anticipated the snap on fourth-and-1 and stuffed Rams running back Kyren Williams in the backfield for a 2-yard loss.
The Falcons take over on downs at their own 13 with a 7-0 lead after coming up with the stop in the red zone.
