Robinson runs for 195 yards as
Falcons recover to upset Rams 27-24 on 51-yard field goal by Gonzalez
[December 30, 2025]
By CHARLES ODUM
ATLANTA (AP) — A Los Angeles Rams team that spent most of the season
competing for the best record in the NFL now is third in its
division, saddled with a two-game losing streak and bound to open
the playoffs on the road.
“This is a humbling league and we got humbled tonight,” Rams coach
Sean McVay said after a 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday
night.
Bijan Robinson rushed for 195 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown,
and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds
remaining as the Falcons recovered after blowing two 21-point leads.
Robinson's 93-yard touchdown run was the longest in Atlanta history
and Jessie Bates III scored on a 34-yard interception return.
Bolstered by those big plays, the Falcons led 21-0 at halftime and
24-3 early in the second half.
Matthew Stafford recovered from throwing three interceptions to help
the Rams (11-5) pull even at 24. Stafford's 11-yard touchdown pass
to Puka Nacua with 2:46 remaining tied the game.
“I love the way that we found a way to get back in the game, but we
weren't able to close it out,” McVay said.
The Falcons (7-9) extended their winning streak to three games as
Robinson also set the team record for most scrimmage yards in a
season.
The Rams began the week leading the NFL in scoring and yards and
were shut out in the first half. After trailing 21-0 at halftime,
the Rams were kept out of the end zone until Stafford's 27-yard
touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson late in the third quarter.
Los Angeles cut Atlanta's lead to 24-17 when Jarred Verse blocked a
37-yard field goal attempt by Gonzalez and returned the recovery 76
yards for a touchdown. It was the Rams' first blocked kick returned
for a touchdown since 1986.
Stafford's second interception, on a throw picked off by Atlanta
rookie Xavier Watts, gave the Falcons the ball at their 7 in the
second quarter. Robinson broke through the line and took off down
the sideline, outrunning the Los Angeles defense for the NFL's
longest run of the season.
“He’s a special player,” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said.
“What he can do in both the run game and pass game is very unique.”
Watts' second interception, the third thrown by Stafford, stopped
the Rams on a fourth-down play from the Atlanta 27 with 9:04
remaining.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris credited cornerback A.J. Terrell and the
defense for limiting Nacua to five catches for 47 yards.
“I think the defensive staff did a great job again, limiting a great
football player,” Morris said.
Scrimmage yards record
Robinson needed 151 rushing and receiving yards to break William
Andrews’ team scrimmage yards record of 2,176 set in 1983. Robinson
had five catches for 34 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown
reception, to finish with 229 scrimmage yards in the game and 2,255
for the year.
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Atlanta Falcons place kicker Zane Gonzalez (45) celebrates his field
goal in the second half of an NFL football game against the Los
Angeles Rams, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn
Anderson)
Sudden surge of interceptions
Stafford, who earned his third Pro Bowl honor this season, began the
week leading the NFL in touchdown passes and passing yards. He had
thrown only five interceptions before his turnover-plagued effort
against the Falcons.
Stafford completed 22 of 38 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns
and three interceptions. He has a career-best 42 touchdown passes
this season.
It was his first three-interception game since Week 1 of 2022.
“It boils down to execution every week, right?” Stafford said.
“Either you execute and make the throws or you don’t. And I didn’t
do that tonight, so it hurt us and we weren’t able to overcome it.”
Credit to the blockers
Robinson gave thanks to his line and wide receiver Drake London for
the key blocks on his 93-yard scoring run. London had a downfield
block on a defensive back to help clear Robinson's path.
“It takes everybody for those kind of runs to happen,” Robinson
said.
Rams starters will play
McVay didn't hesitate when asked if his starters would rest in
Sunday's final regular-season game against Arizona.
“No, we're playing,” McVay said. “We were playing anyway. We need to
play.”
The Rams will open the playoffs on the road, an outcome that was set
after NFC West rivals Seattle and San Francisco both won on Sunday.
They entered the night as the No. 5 seed.
Injury report
Rams: WR Davante Adams (hamstring) and two starting offensive
linemen __ RG Kevin Dotson (ankle) and LT Alaric Jackson (ankle) __
were held out. Adams participated in pregame drills. RB Blake Corum
limped off with a right ankle injury in the second quarter and did
not return. ... S Jaylen McCollough (hip) was questionable to
return. ... CB Roger McCreary (hip) was active as he came off
injured reserve.
Falcons: DL Brandon Dorlus (left knee) needed help leaving the field
in the third quarter and did not return. ... CB Mike Ford Jr.
(ankle) was questionable. ... CB Mike Hughes missed his second
consecutive game with an ankle sprain. ILB Josh Woods was inactive
due to a personal matter.
Up next
Rams: The Rams will try to build on their 6-1 home record when they
play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in their final regular-season
game.
Falcons: Atlanta closes its season at home on Sunday against New
Orleans. The Falcons took a 24-10 win at New Orleans on Nov. 23.
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