The Rams (11-4) are playing in prime time for the second consecutive week, this time heading south to Atlanta to take on the Falcons (6-9) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff Monday night in Atlanta is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. pacific time on ESPN.
In advance of the contest, here is your First Look at Rams-Falcons.
Notable Falcons additions
- Selected former Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker in the first round (15th overall) in this year's draft: Walker was an off-ball linebacker for the Bulldogs in 2024 but also a prospect highly regarded for his versatility. Atlanta brought him in with the plan to work exclusively with its edge rushers his rookie season, and so far it's translated to a productive Year 1 with 33 total tackles, 5.5 sacks (third-most on team), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
- Selected former Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. in the first round (27th overall) in this year's draft: Between their plans for Walker and moving back into the first round (via a trade with the Rams) to acquire Pearce, the Falcons made a concerted effort to address their pass rush, and like Walker, Pearce has rewarded that investment with a team-high 8.5 sacks and 14 QB hits, plus 22 total tackles, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Top performers in Week 16
Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 35 pass attempts for 197 yards and two touchdowns against one interception in Atlanta's 26-19 road win over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday; Cousins also lost one fumble.
Running back Bijan Robinson paced the Falcons' entire offense with 168 yards from scrimmage and one receiving touchdown; he eclipsed 2,000 scrimmage yards on the season with his performance.
Cornerback C.J. Henderson led Atlanta's defense with four total tackles and an interception.
On special teams, kicker Zane Gonzalez made both of his field goal attempts and two of three extra point attempts – one was blocked – and the Falcons didn't punt the ball once.
Early storylines to watch, and what they mean for the Rams
As much discussion as there will be this week about the familiarity between coaching staffs and the Rams' owning the Falcons' 2027 first-round pick, the focus should also be inward.
In various ways, the 2025 season has been filled with setback-created learning opportunities for Los Angeles. When circumstances have required adjustments – whether because of a loss, personnel changes or otherwise – Rams head coach Sean McVay and his staff have found ways to adapt. To date, resilience in the face of adversity has been a calling card of this team this season.
The latest example heading into Monday night's game against the Falcons was taking special teams in a different direction by letting coordinator Chase Blackburn go, elevating assistant Ben Kotwica to the interim role and bringing on Matt Harper to assist Kotwica.
The Rams' first Thursday Night Football loss to a divisional opponent proceeded a six-game win streak. What can the Rams learn from last week's loss going into Week 17, and as the playoffs near?
