The Atlanta Falcons secured a 27-24 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, thanks to a last-minute 51-yard field goal by kicker Zane Gonzalez. This win marks the Falcons’ third consecutive victory, their longest streak of the season, and keeps their postseason hopes alive with one game remaining.
Head coach Raheem Morris emphasized the significance of the win against a strong Rams team, who entered the matchup with an 11-4 record and had already clinched a playoff spot. Since Sean McVay became head coach in 2017, the Rams have reached the playoffs in seven of nine seasons. Morris, who previously worked under McVay from 2021 to 2023, said his time with Los Angeles has influenced his standards for Atlanta. “Morris admitted it’ll take time to consistently reach those standards, but Monday’s win shows positive strides are being made.”
The Falcons improved their prime-time record to 4-1 this season. A pivotal moment came in the second quarter when safety Xavier Watts intercepted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and set up running back Bijan Robinson for a 93-yard touchdown run. The play gave Atlanta a 21-0 lead at halftime—their largest first-half point differential since 2017—and marked the first time this season that Los Angeles was held scoreless in any half.
Robinson delivered a standout performance, setting a new franchise single-season record for yards from scrimmage. He accumulated 229 yards against the Rams, bringing his season total to 2,255 and surpassing Williams Andrews’ previous mark set in 1983. Robinson also broke Christian McCaffrey’s NFL record for most scrimmage yards by a player under age 24.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions—his highest single-game total this season—with veteran safety Jessie Bates III returning one for a touchdown and rookie Xavier Watts collecting two more. “Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts made an interception in the second quarter and in the fourth quarter. It was the first time this season Stafford threw more than two interceptions.”
Other notable achievements included cornerback C.J. Henderson making his first start for Atlanta and recording an interception late in last week’s game against Arizona; punter Bradley Pinion setting a franchise record with 32 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line; and Jessie Bates III becoming only the fourth Falcon ever to return at least three interceptions for touchdowns.
Injury updates noted that cornerback Mike Ford Jr. was questionable to return after halftime due to an ankle injury, while defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus left in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Bijan Robinson and right guard Chris Lindstrom were both named to the upcoming Pro Bowl Games—Robinson’s second appearance and Lindstrom’s fourth.
The Falcons will finish their regular season at home against division rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
Tori McElhaney commented: “I swear this game had everything. Record-breaking runs, blocked field goals, interceptions, sacks, what more could you want on a Monday night?” Will McFadden added: “This was going to be a post about how good Jessie Bates is, but Xavier Watts intercepted it.” Terrin Waack remarked: “That game had multiple jaw-dropping moments.”
