Falcons ride Bijan Robinson’s 1 unstoppable masterclass to outlast the Rams on MNF
The Atlanta Falcons’ Week 17 Monday Night Football win over the Los Angeles Rams felt like a snapshot of their entire 2025 season—brilliant in stretches, chaotic at times, but ultimately resilient when it mattered most.
Atlanta raced out to a stunning 21–0 halftime lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, powered by a relentless ground attack that the Rams simply couldn’t contain. At the heart of it all was Bijan Robinson, who delivered a career night and then some. The second-year star ripped through the Rams’ defense for 195 rushing yards on 22 carries and added more damage through the air, finishing with 229 total yards from scrimmage. His signature moment came just before halftime, when he exploded through a crease and sprinted 93 yards for a touchdown—the longest run in Falcons history.
The Rams entered the game already reeling after being eliminated from the NFC West race earlier in the weekend, and their struggles against the run only worsened. A week after surrendering 171 rushing yards to Seattle, Los Angeles again failed to slow a physical rushing attack. Robinson’s dominance forced the Rams into uncomfortable defensive looks all night, opening space for Atlanta to control tempo early.
Defensively, the Falcons made game-changing plays at critical moments. Rookie safety Xavier Watts turned in a standout performance, intercepting Matthew Stafford twice to give him five picks on the season—the most by a Falcons rookie since Deion Sanders in 1989. Jessie Bates III also delivered a huge moment, jumping a second-quarter pass for a pick-six that tied Stafford with Brett Favre for the most pick-six interceptions thrown in NFL history.
Falcons unleash Bijan Robinson in 1 statement MNF win over the Rams
Still, true to form, Atlanta made things far more dramatic than necessary. After building a three-touchdown lead, the Falcons’ offense stalled in the second half, while special teams issues nearly flipped the game on its head. A blocked Zane Gonzalez field goal in the third quarter was returned for a Rams touchdown, briefly swinging momentum and cutting into Atlanta’s cushion.
Stafford, who entered the night as a fringe MVP candidate, had his roughest outing of the season. He finished 22-of-38 for 269 yards with two touchdowns but was undone by three interceptions—his first three-pick game since Week 1 of the 2022 season. Los Angeles managed to claw all the way back, trimming the deficit to 27–24 late in the fourth quarter and putting real pressure on the Falcons to close.
That’s when Atlanta finally steadied itself. Kirk Cousins and Robinson orchestrated a composed final drive, pushing the Falcons into field-goal range in the closing seconds. With 21 seconds left, Gonzalez drilled a 50-yard kick that proved to be the game-winner, sealing a tense 27–24 victory.
The win improved Atlanta to 7–9, extending their surge to three straight wins and four victories in their last five games. For the Rams, the loss was another frustrating reminder of lingering issues—particularly on defense and special teams—though they still head into Week 18 with a path to improve their playoff positioning.
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In the end, the night belonged to Bijan Robinson. His explosive running, record-setting plays, and ability to tilt the field defined the game. Even amid Atlanta’s familiar ups and downs, Robinson’s performance stood out as a statement—one that reminded everyone why he’s quickly becoming the centerpiece of the Falcons’ future.
Beyond the final score, the victory offered a glimpse of what Atlanta hopes its identity will become. When the Falcons committed to their ground game and trusted Robinson to dictate terms, they looked like a team capable of controlling games rather than merely surviving them. The defensive flashes from a young secondary, combined with timely veteran leadership, hinted at a foundation that could carry forward. While the execution still wavered, Monday night showed that when Atlanta leans into its strengths—power running, opportunistic defense, and late-game composure—it can deliver performances that resonate well beyond the standings.
