-
Sarah Barshop
-
Mark Raimondi
Close
Mark Raimondi
ESPN Staff Writer
- Marc Raimondi's first year covering the Falcons was 2024, but it wasn't his first year at ESPN. He joined the company in 2019 and has been its lead combat sports reporter. He also covered professional wrestling and wrote the book Say Hello to the Bad Boys: How Professional Wrestling's New World Order Changed America, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2025. Raimondi also worked for the New York Post and Newsday beginning in 2009, covering high school and college sports as well as the NFL, NFL, MLB and NHL.
ATLANTA — It was the perfect synopsis. Atlanta Falcons'Season 2025.
The team showed brilliant results. running back Sesame Robinson was impressive. The defense made a big play.
And it almost didn't matter. The Falcons blew a three-touchdown lead at halftime only to come away with victory with a score of 27-24 over Los Angeles Rams on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A Zane Gonzalez A 50-yard field goal with 21 seconds left set up the winning score.
Atlanta improves to 7-9, winning three in a row and four of five.
Robinson had a career-high 229 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, one on the ground for 93 yards (a Falcons record) and one through the air. Xavier Wattsrookie safety, made two interceptions. Safety Jessie Bates III there was a pick-six.
Special teams was once again a major issue for Atlanta. Gonzalez's blocked field goal in the third quarter Jared Wehrs was thrown back for a touchdown in what could have been a turning point. The defense couldn't get the stops it needed in time, and the offense stalled in the second half, blowing a 21-0 halftime lead.
But the defender Kirk Cousins and Robinson led the Falcons in the fourth quarter, who was good enough to get into field goal position with Gonzalez doing the rest.
Here's what both teams need to know after the Falcons beat the Rams on Monday night:
Biggest hole in the game plan: Special teams has been the Falcons' biggest weakness this season, from coverage to kicking. On Monday, the game nearly turned over when Gonzalez's field goal attempt was blocked by Wehrs and returned for a touchdown. It was the second blocked field goal against the Falcons in four weeks.
Statistics you need to know: Robinson ranks third in rushing yards in a season (2,255) over the past 10 years, second to Christian McCaffrey in 2019 and Saquon Barkley in 2024. This is also the most rushing yards in Falcons history, surpassing William Andrews. Robinson also had a career-high 195 rushing yards.
Trend to watch: Watts had two interceptions, giving him five on the season, the most by a Falcons rookie since Deion Sanders in 1989. Bates also had an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said he believes they are the best safety duo in the NFL. — Mark Raimondi
Next game: against. New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1:00 pm ET, Fox)
The Rams enter Week 17 against the Falcons, already eliminated from the NFC West race after winning Seattle Seahawks And San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
In the first half, the Los Angeles offense misses the left tackle. Alaric Jackson and right back Kevin Dotson looked nowhere near as effective against the Falcons as it has been for most of the season.
Defender Matthew Staffordwho entered the game as the favorite to win MVP, had his worst game of the season. Stafford completed 22 of 38 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. It was Stafford's first three-interception game since Week 1 of the 2022 season.
Despite the loss, the Rams enter Week 18 with a chance to finish as the No. 5 seed in the NFC. If the Seahawks beat the 49ers on Saturday, the Rams could move past San Francisco in the standings with a Week 18 win over the 49ers. Arizona Cardinals.
Statistics you need to know: Stafford threw the 32nd pick-six of his career when his second-quarter pass was intercepted by Bates. That sixth pick tied Stafford with Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, according to ESPN Research.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Robinson slowing down. After giving up 171 yards to the Seahawks a week ago, the Rams still couldn't stop the run. Robinson gave Atlanta its first lead of the night, putting the Falcons up 21-0 with a 93-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime. Robinson finished with 195 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
Most amazing performance: It was only the second time in 148 regular-season games under coach Sean McVay that the Rams were scoreless in the first half, according to ESPN Research. –Sarah Barshop
Next game: against. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:25 pm ET, Fox)
