NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons may not be headed to the NFL playoffs, but they certainly aren’t sending it in to finish the 2025 season.
A prime example of how much effort the Falcons will have to close out the year can be encapsulated in a 93-yard touchdown run by the electric Robinson, whose big play helped Atlanta down the Los Angeles Rams, 27-24, on “Monday Night Football.”
The Falcons moved to 7-9 with just one game remaining in Week 18, but the Rams’ loss keeps them cemented as the No. 6 seed in the NFC heading into January.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
As a result, head coach Sean McVay could sit all of his starters next week against the Arizona Cardinals to ensure health heading into the Wild Card round against the No. 3 seed, which remains undecided.
This game saw uncharacteristic Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense from the start, especially considering what they were able to do on the road against a tough Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 16.
But the Falcons’ group was up for the challenge, which included key first-half turnovers.
RAMS’ PUKA NACUA SAYS NFL FINE STUNG, CALLS IT A ‘TEACHING MOMENT’
After Robinson scored on third-and-goal on a pass from Kirk Cousins to make it 7–0, the Falcons got the Rams to turn the ball over on downs when Blake Corum was gobbled up on a fourth-and-1 running play in Atlanta territory.
Then, the next time the Rams had the ball, Stafford had an errant pass sail over Konata Mumpfield’s head and land in the arms of veteran safety Jessie Bates III, who went the distance for Stafford’s third pick-six allowed since Week 13.
With a 14-0 lead, the Rams were desperate to get some points on the board before halftime, and Stafford decided to heave a pass to Xavier Smith down the field in the second quarter. Once again the Falcons came up with the interception, this time Xavier Watts jumped the route for the pick.
The Falcons needed only one play at their own seven-yard line when Robinson found the seam he needed and it was off to the races. A 21-0 lead at halftime was the result in a shocking development at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but Los Angeles has proven all season that it is never out of a game.
The tide turned after the Rams finally found the end zone, with Terrence Ferguson hauling in a 27-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to make it a 24-10 game.
The Falcons were hoping to put three more points on the board after driving on the ensuing possession, but Jared Verse changed everything when he not only blocked Zane Gonzalez’s field goal attempt, but scooped it up and ran 76 yards the other way.
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Instead of a 27-10 lead for the Falcons, they faced a 24-17 possession heading into the fourth quarter.
The Rams completed the comeback after Puka Nacua, who would have had his typical production if not for a pair of flags negating some receptions, took a screen from Stafford 11 yards to tie it up 24 apiece with 2:46 left to play.
There was more than enough time to make up for the blown lead, and Gonzalez had a chance from 51 yards out to seal the win. This time there was no verse or any defender getting through as Gonzalez split the vertical for the three-point lead.
The Rams still had a few seconds to go and it almost looked like they were going to have a shot after Nacua somehow hauled in a pass with one hand and went out of bounds in field goal range. But upon further review, the ball moved as he tried to secure it and he was already out of bounds.
The pass was ruled incomplete and the Rams were unable to get the points needed to get the win.
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at the lowest price of the year. The offer ends on 4 January 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
In the box score, Robinson’s day was fantastic with 195 yards on 22 carries as well as five catches for 34 yards and his two touchdowns. Cousins was just 13-of-20 for 126 yards with his touchdown to Robinson really carrying the offense in the win.
For the Rams, Stafford was 22-for-38 for 269 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while Smith led the team with 67 yards receiving. The Falcons’ defense held Nacua to just 47 yards on five catches despite 10 targets.
