Falcons defeat Rams on late Zane Gonzalez FG: Live updates and reaction from NFL 'Monday Night Football'
SOURCE:The Athletic|BY:The Athletic Live Team and more
Atlanta earned its third straight win behind a big night from Bijan Robinson, topping Los Angeles 27-24
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Follow live coverage as the Atlanta Falcons host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams
The Athletic Live Team and more
December 29, 2025 at 6:30 PM EST
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Time for one more Monday night
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It’s the last “Monday Night Football” game of 2025. Here’s our seasonal send-off for the iconic theme music (“Heavy Action” by Johnny Pearson) and the most inspired animation packages (a claymation Sean McVay feels inevitable).
The Los Angeles Rams continue their glimmering Super Bowl push, while the Atlanta Falcons try to play spoiler on a national stage. Few wideouts can keep up with Puka Nacua, and few rushers can match Bijan Robinson. There’s much to appreciate around this week’s Monday offering. Here’s what viewers should know before kickoff.
Ryan returning to Falcons?
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Matt Ryan is the greatest Atlanta Falcons player, but what could he do to help the team’s front office? We may get a chance to find out.
Our Dianna Russini and Josh Kendallhad a story yesterday about the team being in discussions with its former quarterback to join the front office. With the Falcons being mediocre for so long, you have to wonder: Could it hurt?
Vic’s pick
Spread: Los Angeles Rams (-8)
The Rams have won six straight in games immediately following a loss, tied for the longest active streak in the NFL. Unlike the Buccaneers and Cardinals, they will actually harass Kirk Cousins and cover the tight end. But ... another caveat: Since the Seahawks and 49ers both won yesterday, the Rams can’t win the division and might rest some players.
After missing several weeks with a PCL injury, Drake London returned to action last week and had a quiet game against the Arizona Cardinals.
In his first game in more than a month, the young wideout caught just three of his eight targets for 27 yards, showing a bit of rust from the time off. In the three games before his injury, London had averaged 113.7 yards per game with four total touchdowns, which made the timing of his injury all the more frustrating.
He will look to bounce back tonight at home against Los Angeles.
Puka’s monster game
Puka Nacua has been ridiculously productive this season, and he put up one of the most impressive stat lines you’ll ever see from a wide receiver last week against the Seattle Seahawks.
The third-year wideout was targeted 16 times without Davante Adams in the lineup, catching 12 passes for 225 yards with two touchdowns, one in the fourth quarter and the other in overtime. During his past three games, Nacua has caught 28 passes for 573 yards with four touchdowns.
Entering Week 17, he led the NFL in receptions with 114, totaling 1,592 yards and eight scores.
Pitts keeps rolling
Four years after being selected with the fourth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Kyle Pitts Sr. is beginning to produce in a manner that matches the potential his selection came with.
During his past four games, Pitts is averaging 98.8 receiving yards per game with four touchdowns, three of which came in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has shown a rapport with Kirk Cousins, which was on display last week as he caught seven passes for 57 yards and a score.
This season, Pitts has 80 receptions for 854 yards with five scores.
Bijan bakes Cardinals
Still early in his NFL career, Bijan Robinson already has proven to be one of the most complete, dynamic running backs in the NFL. This versatility was on full display against the Cardinals last week.
He got 16 carries for 76 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt, and added seven catches for 92 yards with a touchdown. The week prior, he caught eight passes for 82 yards against Tampa Bay and rushed for another 93 yards with a touchdown.
Robinson is on pace to comfortably clear 2,000 scrimmage yards this season.
Another solid showing for Cousins
After a blowout loss to the Seahawks in Week 14, Kirk Cousins has strung together consecutive strong games for the Falcons. The veteran has thrown for five touchdowns and one interception during that span, most recently completing 21-of-35 passes with two touchdowns and an interception last week in a win against the Arizona Cardinals.
With Michael Penix Jr. potentially missing time next season with a knee injury, Cousins could be building momentum toward being the Falcons’ Week 1 starter, too.
Stafford shines against Seattle
The Los Angeles Rams lost a chaotic game on the road on Thursday against Seattle, but Matthew Stafford added to his MVP campaign regardless.
The veteran quarterback completed 29-of-49 passes for 457 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Puka Nacua, who had a monster game of his own. During his past three games, Stafford has thrown eight touchdowns with just a single interception, ending the regular season as strong as he started it.
The 37-year-old already has thrown for 4,179 yards with 40 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Your views on the Falcons
Here are your views on the Atlanta Falcons ahead of tonight’s game:
Jason M.: If Cousins had been the starter all season the Falcons would be at the top of NFC South.
Matt U.: Great! Get eliminated from the playoffs and go on a fat winning streak to end the season. Atlanta, like always?
Stu A.: Any time they win now, I'm just happy for Bijan. He's such a good player and deserves to feel good about a game even if he's on a team that isn't worthy of his talents. He is worth the price of a ticket all by himself.
Wde A.: All the winning streak does is answer the question of who will be coach and GM next year. Raheem and Terry Fontenot will get another season to butcher the hopes of Atlanta fans….if there are any left.
Your views on the Rams
Ahead of another prime-time showcase, here are your views on the Los Angeles Rams:
Ned B.: This is the best team in the league. Not having an extra week off will hurt, but provided everyone heals up, we’ll be favoured in every playoff game, regardless of where it is.
Steven P.: I’m convinced that it’s all mental with this Rams team. When they’re on point, they’re fantastic. But when they get big leads, they give up that edge. You might want to play with a child-like joy but they also have to remember that there are grown ass men on the other side who will take them down, if they allow it. Margins are very thin in the NFL.
Greg F.: If the Rams get Adams back healthy, they are still the best team in the league. His absence was notable against the Seahawks. Let's hope last night's loss sharpens them for the coming playoffs.
Erich I.: The Rams aren't going to get far if their secondary and special teams continue to be a problem late in games. Their offense is arguably one of the best in the league but they can only do so much.
Takeaways: Falcons cruise past Cardinals
Behind prolific games from Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts, the Atlanta Falcons held off the Arizona Cardinals for a 26-19 road win.
The Seattle Seahawks pulled off a miraculous comeback on Thursday Night at home against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime despite a massive performance from Matthew Stafford.
Who is the favorite in the NFC? Who will be the Falcons’ quarterback next season? Is Matthew Stafford the NFL MVP?
We’d love to hear from you throughout today’s coverage. Get involved and send us your thoughts at live@theathletic.com. We will take the best contributions and feature them right here in our live coverage!
How to watch today’s game
Tonight’s game will be broadcast by ESPN with Joe Buck on play-by-play and Troy Aikman as the color analyst.
You can also stream the game on Fubo.
What time will today’s game kick off?
Today’s game between the Rams and Falcons is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET.
That is a 5:15 p.m. PT start on the West Coast.
Welcome to our live coverage!
Hello, football fans, and welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of “Monday Night Football” as the Los Angeles Rams face the Atlanta Falcons.
Los Angeles will look to bounce back after losing an instant classic to Seattle on Thursday, while the Falcons will look to build on a stretch of solid play with Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
Follow along throughout the day for live updates and real-time expert analysis from The Athletic’s team of reporters.
