The Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the 2025 NFL regular season in their Week 17 showdown on Monday Night Football. What looked like a one-sided game at halftime turned into a nail-biter that wasn’t decided until the final seconds. Los Angeles Rams+1
Early Dominance by the Falcons
From the opening kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Falcons seized control. Atlanta raced out to a 21-0 lead by halftime, establishing momentum through powerful offense and opportunistic defense. Running back Bijan Robinson was the catalyst, scoring twice — including a 93-yard touchdown run, the longest in Falcons history — and helping his team control the line of scrimmage. Los Angeles Rams+1
Safety Jessie Bates III also made a splash, returning an interception 34 yards for a touchdown, giving the Falcons a dominant lead early in the second quarter. Los Angeles Rams
Rams Comeback Attempt
Facing a massive deficit, the Rams refused to quit. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, despite throwing three interceptions, led a furious second-half charge. Los Angeles chipped away at the lead, scoring 24 unanswered points to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Stafford connected with Puka Nacua on an 11-yard touchdown that evened the score with under three minutes to go. NBC Los Angeles
Even a dramatic special teams play — a blocked field goal returned 76 yards for a touchdown — sparked additional hope for the Rams as they nearly completed one of the greatest comebacks of the season. Los Angeles Rams
Clutch Finish & Game-Winning Kick
With the score tied 24-24 and time winding down, the Falcons turned to veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez. He delivered under pressure, drilling a 51-yard field goal with just 21 seconds left to secure a 27-24 victory. NBC Los Angeles
Atlanta’s defense then held firm, preventing the Rams from advancing into field-goal range on the final possession. Reddit
Standout Performances
- Bijan Robinson (Falcons): 195 rushing yards, including the franchise-record 93-yard touchdown run — a performance that electrified the home crowd. FOX 5 Atlanta
- Jessie Bates III (Falcons): Returned an interception for a touchdown, setting the tone early. Los Angeles Rams
- Matthew Stafford (Rams): Despite the loss and three interceptions, Stafford threw for 269 yards and kept his team in the game until the final minutes. NBC Los Angeles
What It Means
For the Falcons, the win marked their third straight victory, a promising shift for a team that had battled inconsistency throughout the season. For the Rams, the loss served as a humbling moment heading into the playoffs — despite clinching a playoff spot earlier — and highlighted both their potential and vulnerabilities. Reuters
Final Thoughts
This Rams vs. Falcons game will be remembered for its dramatic swings, historic individual performances, and last-minute heroics. Atlanta’s resilience in maintaining a late lead and the Rams’ relentless comeback attempt made it a classic Monday night battle that football fans won’t soon forget.
