Falcons Stun Rams 27-24 on Clutch Late Field Goal in Thrilling Monday Night Football Finale
ATLANTA — In a heart-stopping conclusion to the 2025 Monday Night Football season, the Atlanta Falcons edged out the Los Angeles Rams 27-24 on a dramatic late field goal, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive while denting the Rams’ NFC standing.
The game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium saw the Falcons, now 7-9, rally from a tense fourth-quarter tie to secure their third straight victory. Kirk Cousins and running back Bijan Robinson led the charge, with Atlanta’s defense delivering key stops against the NFL’s top-scoring offense.[3][4]
Robinson’s Historic Night Powers Falcons’ Early Dominance
Bijan Robinson etched his name in Falcons history with a monstrous performance, rushing for 195 yards on 22 carries, including a franchise-record 93-yard touchdown run in the second quarter—the longest in the NFL this season. This explosive score blew the game open to 21-0 at halftime, showcasing Robinson’s prime-time prowess where he averages over 175 scrimmage yards in Atlanta’s five spotlight games.[4]
The Falcons jumped out aggressively, forcing a Rams three-and-out on the opening drive before marching 11 plays for the first touchdown. Atlanta’s defense, coordinated by Jeff Ulbrich, confused Los Angeles’ protection schemes with three linebackers, forcing quarterback Matthew Stafford into three interceptions, one returned for a pick-six.[1][4]
Rams Mount Furious Comeback, But Fall Short
Trailing big early, the Rams (now 11-5) clawed back with 21 unanswered points in the second half. Rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson hauled in a 27-yard touchdown to break the shutout, followed by Stafford’s 27-yard scoring strike. Puka Nacua tied it at 24-24 on a screen pass rumble, despite a nullified earlier touchdown due to a holding penalty on DJ Humphries.[1][3]
Kyren Williams added key rushes to set up the equalizer, and Rams defender Jared Verse blocked a field goal, returning it for a touchdown earlier. Stafford finished with over 300 yards and three scores, but his turnovers proved costly in the loss.[2][3]
Atlanta reclaimed the lead late when Robinson stumbled for a short gain but pitched for a 10-yard gain into field goal range. After the Rams stuffed three straight Tyler Allgeier runs, kicker Younghoe Koo nailed the winner. Stafford’s final hail mary to Tutu Atwell fell incomplete amid potential interference, sealing the Falcons’ upset.[1][3]
Playoff Implications and Key Takeaways
| Player | Team | Rush Yds/TD | Pass Yds/TD/INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | Falcons | 195/1 | – |
| Matthew Stafford | Rams | – | 300+/3/3 |
| Puka Nacua | Rams | – | 1 TD Rec |
The victory drops the Rams to the No. 6 NFC seed, though they could climb to fifth, while the Falcons face a must-win in Week 18 to extend their season. Atlanta’s prime-time magic—now four wins in island and spotlight games—raises questions about their inconsistency elsewhere.[3][4]
“Moments like that are what champions are made of,” one highlight reel captured of Robinson’s critical third-and-long screen pass where he broke three tackles and hurdled a defender.[2]
“The Falcons deliver in prime time again… their defense made Stafford uncomfortable all night.” — NFL.com analysis[4]
Game Timeline Highlights
- 1st Q: Bijan Robinson TD; Falcons lead 7-0.[3]
- 2nd Q: Stafford pick-six; Robinson’s 93-yard TD makes it 21-0.[4]
- 3rd Q: Ferguson 27-yard TD for Rams.[1]
- 4th Q: Nacua ties at 24; Koo’s FG wins it 27-24.[1][3]
This nailbiter caps Week 17, with the Falcons proving why they thrive under the lights. As the regular season winds down, both teams eye the postseason path ahead.