Rams vs. Falcons: 5 Takeaways From Atlanta's Win Over Los Angeles

[ad_1] The Atlanta Falcons delivered a wake-up name to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night time.

The Falcons had been up 21-0 at halftime, beating the 11-4 Rams 27-24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium regardless of a second-half comeback from Los Angeles. The Rams had been held scoreless for simply the third time within the first half underneath head coach Sean McVay, who's in his ninth season with the group. Offensively, Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions and did not assist his MVP candidacy.

Listed here are the takeaways:

1. Monday's largest losers? The Buccaneers Tampa Bay has misplaced seven of eight video games, so all their troubles are their very own creation, but when the Falcons had misplaced to the Rams, the Bucs would have identified that they'd win the NFC South in the event that they received a house win Saturday towards Carolina.

Now, it is extra sophisticated. Tampa Bay must beat the Panthers but in addition wants the Falcons to lose to the Saints. If Atlanta wins, then a Bucs win would create an unsightly three-team tie at 8-9, and Carolina wins that tiebreaker as they're 3-1 towards the Buccaneers and Falcons.

If it is simply Tampa Bay and Carolina tied at 8-9, the Buccaneers win the tiebreaker with a greater file towards frequent opponents.

It is also a foul search for the NFL to schedule Bucs-Panthers for Saturday afternoon. If the Bucs win, neither group will know who wins the division till the end result of Falcons-Saints on Sunday. You need divisions determined and celebrated on the sphere, not decided a day later in one other metropolis on the end result between two groups not in rivalry for that playoff berth.

2. What if the Falcons simply had good kickers all yr? The Falcons are 7-9 after three straight wins, however they might simply be atop the NFC South standings for those who simply give them a dependable kicker from the beginning of this season. Zane Gonzalez got here by means of with a game-winning 51-yard subject aim within the closing minute, however different video games have not been so lucky for the Falcons.

Week 1: Falcons misplaced to the Bucs by three factors when Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard subject aim as time expired. Week 9: Falcons misplaced to the Patriots by one level when John Parker Romo missed an additional level with 4:40 left. Week 14: Falcons misplaced to the Jets by three factors as Gonzalez missed a 50-yard subject aim within the third quarter. Gonzalez had a subject aim blocked and returned for a landing by Rams edge rusher Jared Verse on Monday, however he is been pretty good as a 3rd kicker of the season goes. He was a 14-for-17 mark on subject objectives and a 16-for-17 file on further factors.

The Falcons needed to undergo struggles with two kickers earlier than they received to him. Add these three wins, they usually is perhaps 10-6 and in charge of the division as a substitute of simply enjoying spoiler late within the season.

3. Bijan Robinson provides to an All-Professional conundrum Robinson's monster recreation towards the Rams, with a 93-yard landing run and a receiving rating contributing to a 229-total-yard night time. This complicates a troublesome resolution coming this weekend for voters deciding the AP All-Professional group.

There is just one operating again spot on the first-team All-Professional squad, however there's a spot for an "all-purpose" participant, which might be a again who doubles as a pass-catching risk. Voters have to decide on between dominant runners just like the Colts' Jonathan Taylor, the Payments' James Prepare dinner and the Ravens' Derrick Henry, in addition to dual-threat backs like Robinson, the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey and the Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs.

Robinson, headed to the Professional Bowl for a second straight yr, rushed for a career-high 195 yards in Monday's win. He is already over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, and a high-profile showcase like Monday night time may carry plenty of weight with voters.

In principle, voters can put the identical again on their poll at operating again and all-purpose, but when the votes fall proper, it is an opportunity to get 4 of the league's greatest backs an All-Professional nod between the primary and second groups.

4. Xavier Watts is the unsung a part of the Falcons' huge commerce A lot has been manufactured from the Falcons sending the Rams a 2026 first-round choose to maneuver up from No. 41 to No. 26 on this yr's draft and take edge rusher James Pearce. The transfer has drawn criticism as a result of it is going to give the Rams a excessive first-round choose, which may allow them to draft an eventual successor to Stafford.

Not solely does Pearce lead all rookies with 8.5 sacks, however he wasn't all of the Falcons received within the commerce. Additionally they received the Rams' 2025 third-round choose, which they used on Watts, a security out of Notre Dame. He got here up large in Monday's recreation, choosing off Stafford twice, which provides him 5 for the season, probably the most of any rookie.

Atlanta gave up so much to get Pearce, however they've three of this yr's high defensive rookies, not solely in Pearce and Watts but in addition their different first-rounder, Jalon Walker, who's second amongst all rookies behind his teammate with 5.5 sacks.

Sean McVay noticed his Rams lose their second straight recreation on Monday night time for the primary time this season. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Pictures)

5. Huge shift in MVP chase? Matthew Stafford was the odds-on favourite to win NFL MVP honors coming into the weekend, however may issues swing towards Patriots quarterback Drake Maye?

Maye had a near-perfect recreation towards the Jets, going 19-for-21 with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. Then on Monday, with the highlight on him, Stafford threw three interceptions after totaling 5 all season earlier than this recreation. Within the least, the MVP battle has narrowed coming into the ultimate week of the season.

5 ½. What's subsequent? The Rams will host the Cardinals in Week 18. Arizona's season is over, so a full-strength Los Angeles roster ought to win comfortably. It stays to be seen, although, whether or not Stafford and the remainder of the Rams starters will see the sphere. Head coach Sean McVay may choose to maintain his gamers wholesome.

The Falcons, in the meantime, will determine the NFC South of their matchup towards the Saints (1 p.m. ET on FOX) although each groups have been eradicated from playoff rivalry.

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