Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats
The atlanta falcons vs los angeles rams match player stats tell the story of a game that turned on explosive rushing production, defensive takeaways, and a costly turnover night for Los Angeles. Atlanta defeated the Rams 27-24 in a Week 17 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, overcoming a strong Los Angeles season record with one of its most impressive performances of the year. Bijan Robinson led the Falcons with 195 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Atlanta’s defense intercepted Matthew Stafford three times. Stafford still produced 269 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the turnovers proved too costly for the Rams.
One date clarification is important for readers researching this game. The contest was played on Monday, December 29, 2025, while much of the official coverage and reporting appeared on December 30. The NFL’s official game center records the matchup as Week 17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. NFL official game center and game book
The final score was Atlanta 27, Los Angeles 24. The Rams entered at 11-5 overall and 5-4 on the road, while Atlanta entered at 7-9 and 3-4 at home. On paper, the records suggested a significant gap between the teams. On the field, however, Atlanta created enough explosive plays and defensive pressure to control the most important moments.
Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The matchup was a fascinating contrast in offensive styles.
Los Angeles relied heavily on Matthew Stafford’s passing ability and a balanced receiving group. Stafford completed 22 of 38 attempts for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Rams also rushed for 115 yards on 20 attempts, led by Kyren Williams with 92 yards.
Atlanta’s offensive formula was very different. Kirk Cousins completed 13 of 20 passes for only 126 yards, but the Falcons did not need a high-volume passing attack because their running game produced 219 yards on 33 attempts.
That difference was decisive.
Atlanta averaged 6.6 yards per rushing attempt as a team. Los Angeles averaged 5.8. More importantly, Atlanta had the game’s most explosive rushing play when Bijan Robinson broke loose for a 93-yard touchdown.
The Falcons also won the turnover battle in dramatic fashion. Atlanta intercepted Stafford three times and returned those interceptions for 66 yards, including a 34-yard pick-six by Jessie Bates III.
Final Score by Quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 0 | 17 | 7 | 24 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
The scoring pattern reveals an important part of the game.
Atlanta built a 21-0 lead before halftime. Los Angeles then responded with 17 points in the third quarter and another touchdown in the fourth to make the game extremely competitive.
Atlanta ultimately survived because it managed the final scoring opportunity and converted a late field goal.
Kirk Cousins Passing Performance
Kirk Cousins was not asked to carry the Falcons through the air.
His final passing line was:
| Statistic | Kirk Cousins |
| Completions | 13 |
| Attempts | 20 |
| Completion Rate | 65.0% |
| Passing Yards | 126 |
| Average | 6.3 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| QBR | 71.0 |
| Passer Rating | 99.2 |
The most important number may be the zero in the interception column.
Cousins threw only 20 passes, but he protected the football and allowed Atlanta’s rushing attack to dictate the game. His 99.2 passer rating was considerably better than Stafford’s 64.5 rating.
That does not mean Cousins individually outplayed Stafford in every area. Stafford threw for more than twice as many passing yards. The difference was efficiency and game context.
Cousins did not have to throw 38 times because Atlanta was consistently gaining ground on the ground.
Cousins and the Importance of Efficiency
The Falcons’ passing offense produced only 126 yards, but that number becomes more understandable when the rushing production is considered.
Atlanta generated 219 rushing yards.
When an offense averages 6.6 yards per carry, there is less pressure on the quarterback to produce 250 or 300 passing yards. Cousins’ job was largely to make accurate decisions, convert opportunities, and avoid giving the Rams additional possessions.
He accomplished that without throwing an interception.
Matthew Stafford’s Passing Stats
Matthew Stafford produced the larger passing workload, but his three interceptions changed the outcome.
His final numbers were:
| Statistic | Matthew Stafford |
| Completions | 22 |
| Attempts | 38 |
| Completion Rate | 57.9% |
| Passing Yards | 269 |
| Average | 7.1 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 3 |
| Sacks | 3 |
| Sack Yards | 21 |
| QBR | 41.0 |
| Passer Rating | 64.5 |
Stafford’s 269 passing yards were strong in isolation.
His 7.1 yards per attempt also show that Los Angeles was capable of generating productive passing plays.
The problem was that the Rams gave Atlanta too many high-value opportunities through turnovers.
Three interceptions in a one-score game are difficult to overcome, particularly when one becomes a defensive touchdown.
Why Stafford’s Yardage Was Not Enough
This is one of the most useful lessons from the matchup.
Passing yardage does not automatically translate into offensive success.
Stafford had 143 more passing yards than Cousins, yet Los Angeles lost by three points.
The difference was efficiency in the situations that mattered most.
Stafford’s three interceptions gave Atlanta extra possessions and field-position opportunities. Atlanta’s defense also turned one of those interceptions into six points.
This created a major swing in expected scoring potential without requiring the Falcons’ offense to generate another long drive.
Bijan Robinson Dominates the Ground Game
The standout player in the atlanta falcons vs los angeles rams match player stats was clearly Bijan Robinson.
Robinson finished with:
| Statistic | Bijan Robinson |
| Rushing Attempts | 22 |
| Rushing Yards | 195 |
| Yards per Carry | 8.9 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 1 |
| Long Run | 93 yards |
| Receptions | 5 |
| Receiving Yards | 34 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 1 |
That gives Robinson 229 total yards from scrimmage.
His 93-yard touchdown run was the defining offensive play of the game.
A 93-yard touchdown does more than add seven points. It changes field position, momentum, defensive confidence, and the way the opponent has to approach the remainder of the contest.
Robinson averaged 8.9 yards per carry across 22 attempts. That is not simply the product of one big run. Even after removing the 93-yard touchdown, he still had 102 rushing yards on his other 21 attempts, which works out to roughly 4.9 yards per carry.
That distinction matters.
The performance was not merely one long breakaway run surrounded by ineffective carries. Robinson consistently generated productive rushing yardage.
Robinson’s Receiving Contribution
Robinson also caught five passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.
That produced:
229 total yards and two total touchdowns.
His receiving touchdown gave Atlanta another way to use him near scoring territory.
This type of dual-threat usage makes Robinson particularly difficult for defenses to manage because defensive personnel must account for both the run and the passing game.
Kyren Williams Leads the Rams on the Ground
Kyren Williams was the Rams’ leading rusher.
His numbers were:
| Statistic | Kyren Williams |
| Carries | 13 |
| Rushing Yards | 92 |
| Average | 7.1 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Long | 22 yards |
Williams averaged 7.1 yards per carry, which was an excellent individual rushing figure.
He also contributed three receptions for 38 yards, giving him 130 total yards from scrimmage.
The challenge for Los Angeles was that Williams received only 13 rushing attempts.
The Rams had 20 total rushing attempts, compared with 33 for Atlanta. That difference reflected the game’s flow. Los Angeles spent significant portions of the second half trying to recover from the early deficit, increasing the importance of Stafford’s passing game.
Rams Running Back Depth
Blake Corum recorded six carries for 18 yards.
Ronnie Rivers added one carry for five yards.
As a team, Los Angeles finished with:
20 carries, 115 yards, 5.8 yards per carry, and zero rushing touchdowns.
The Rams were not completely ineffective on the ground. The issue was that their rushing attack did not produce a touchdown, while Atlanta generated a major scoring play from its rushing game.
Receiving Breakdown for Los Angeles
The Rams spread the ball around more than Atlanta.
Their receiving totals were:
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD |
| Xavier Smith | 4 | 67 | 16.8 | 0 |
| Terrance Ferguson | 2 | 54 | 27.0 | 1 |
| Colby Parkinson | 6 | 53 | 8.8 | 0 |
| Puka Nacua | 5 | 47 | 9.4 | 1 |
| Kyren Williams | 3 | 38 | 12.7 | 0 |
| Konata Mumpfield | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 0 |
| Tutu Atwell | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
The Rams recorded 22 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
Xavier Smith Provides a Big Contribution
Xavier Smith led Los Angeles in receiving yardage with 67 yards on four receptions.
His 16.8 yards per reception showed the Rams were able to create chunk plays through the passing game.
Terrance Ferguson was even more explosive on a per-catch basis, averaging 27.0 yards on two receptions and scoring a touchdown.
Puka Nacua caught five passes for 47 yards and a touchdown.
The distribution shows that Stafford was not simply targeting one receiver throughout the game. Several players contributed, but Atlanta’s ability to generate interceptions outweighed those successful passing sequences.
Atlanta’s Receiving Production
Atlanta’s receiving numbers were much smaller because the Falcons leaned so heavily on their rushing attack.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD |
| David Sills V | 3 | 37 | 12.3 | 0 |
| Darnell Mooney | 2 | 35 | 17.5 | 0 |
| Bijan Robinson | 5 | 34 | 6.8 | 1 |
| Kyle Pitts Sr. | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 0 |
| Drake London | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 |
The Falcons totaled 13 receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown.
This is an unusual statistical profile for a winning team, but it makes sense when viewed alongside the rushing numbers.
Atlanta did not need to win the passing volume battle.
It needed to win the possession battle, avoid turnovers, run efficiently, and create explosive plays.
The Falcons accomplished those objectives.
Atlanta’s Defensive Takeaways Changed the Game
The defensive side of the atlanta falcons vs los angeles rams match player stats deserves almost as much attention as Robinson’s rushing performance.
Atlanta intercepted Stafford three times.
The individual interception numbers were:
| Player | Interceptions | Return Yards | TD |
| Xavier Watts | 2 | 32 | 0 |
| Jessie Bates III | 1 | 34 | 1 |
| Team Total | 3 | 66 | 1 |
Jessie Bates III’s 34-yard interception return for a touchdown was particularly important.
A pick-six is a double-value play in practical terms. The defense prevents the opposing offense from continuing its possession while simultaneously adding points for its own team.
Xavier Watts also produced two interceptions.
That means Atlanta’s defensive backs repeatedly made winning plays against a veteran quarterback who had otherwise produced 269 passing yards.
Defensive Pressure Without a Sack Advantage
Atlanta recorded three sacks.
The Falcons also recorded four tackles for loss, eight passes defended, and five quarterback hits.
Los Angeles recorded zero sacks, three tackles for loss, one pass defended, and seven quarterback hits.
This is an important distinction.
A defense does not need to dominate sack totals to disrupt a quarterback.
Atlanta’s three interceptions were ultimately more damaging than a large sack total might have been.
The Falcons found ways to affect Stafford’s decision-making and passing windows.
Team Defense Comparison
| Category | Rams | Falcons |
| Total Tackles | 75 | 60 |
| Solo Tackles | 27 | 38 |
| Sacks | 0 | 3 |
| Tackles for Loss | 3 | 4 |
| Passes Defended | 1 | 8 |
| QB Hits | 7 | 5 |
| Defensive TDs | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 3 |
One interesting detail is that both teams produced a defensive touchdown in the game data.
For Atlanta, Jessie Bates III returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown.
For Los Angeles, the defensive touchdown came through a blocked field goal return.
That special teams score helped the Rams erase a large portion of Atlanta’s early advantage.
The 21-Point Atlanta Lead Was Critical
The Falcons scored 21 points before halftime.
The Rams scored zero.
That first-half gap created the foundation for Atlanta’s victory.
Los Angeles responded with 17 points in the third quarter, including a dramatic momentum shift. The Rams then added another touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Eventually, the score became 24-24.
At that point, the game was no longer about Atlanta’s early dominance. It became a test of which team could execute the final possession.
Atlanta produced the winning field goal.
That sequence illustrates why early scoring efficiency matters even when an opponent eventually responds.
A 21-point lead can disappear, but the team that creates it forces the opponent to spend valuable possessions simply getting back into the game.
Special Teams Played a Major Role
Special teams are easy to overlook when analyzing player statistics, but this matchup provided several important contributions.
Atlanta Kicking
Zane Gonzalez finished:
- 2 of 3 on field goals
- 3 of 3 on extra points
- 10 total points
- 56-yard longest field goal
His late field goal proved decisive.
Atlanta needed those points because the Rams had successfully tied the game after their comeback.
Los Angeles Kicking
Harrison Mevis finished:
- 1 of 1 on field goals
- 3 of 3 on extra points
- 5 total points
- 35-yard longest field goal
Los Angeles also benefited from a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown.
That play provided a major boost during the comeback.
Punting
Ethan Evans averaged 45.0 yards on two punts for Los Angeles.
Bradley Pinion averaged 49.2 yards on five punts for Atlanta, with three punts landing inside the 20-yard line.
Pinion’s directional and field-position work helped Atlanta manage possessions even when drives stalled.
Return Game Comparison
The Rams received strong kick-return production from Jordan Whittington.
He recorded:
- 3 kick returns
- 80 yards
- 26.7-yard average
- 38-yard long return
Xavier Smith also returned three punts for 23 yards.
Atlanta used Dylan Drummond and Deven Thompkins in the kick-return game.
Drummond recorded two returns for 54 yards.
Thompkins recorded two returns for 39 yards.
Atlanta finished with 93 kick-return yards at a 23.3-yard average.
Neither team produced a kickoff return touchdown.
What the Turnover Battle Reveals
The clearest statistical explanation for the final result is turnover efficiency.
Atlanta threw no interceptions.
Los Angeles threw three.
Neither team recorded a fumble in the supplied game data.
Therefore, the turnover margin was effectively:
Atlanta +3
That is an enormous advantage in a three-point game.
It also explains why the Rams were able to generate enough offense to reach 24 points but still lose.
The Falcons did not need to dominate every statistical category. They needed to avoid giving the Rams free possessions while taking advantage of Stafford’s mistakes.
Why Atlanta Won Despite Less Passing Production
The game offers a useful example of why football cannot be evaluated through passing yards alone.
Los Angeles:
- 269 passing yards
- 115 rushing yards
- 384 total yards from those categories
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 3 interceptions
Atlanta:
- 126 passing yards
- 219 rushing yards
- 345 total yards from those categories
- 1 passing touchdown
- 0 interceptions
Los Angeles generated more yardage through passing and rushing combined according to the supplied figures, yet Atlanta won.
Why?
Because Atlanta’s production was more closely connected to the game’s decisive moments.
The Falcons produced:
- A 93-yard rushing touchdown.
- Three interceptions.
- A 34-yard pick-six.
- Three sacks.
- A late game-winning field goal.
- Zero interceptions from Cousins.
Those plays had greater scoring impact than raw yardage totals.
A Closer Look at Explosive Plays
Explosive plays often determine close NFL games.
Atlanta’s most obvious example was Robinson’s 93-yard touchdown.
The Rams also generated explosive passing plays.
Xavier Smith averaged 16.8 yards per reception.
Terrance Ferguson averaged 27.0 yards per reception.
Kyren Williams averaged 12.7 yards per reception.
Atlanta’s receiving corps had fewer opportunities, but Darnell Mooney averaged 17.5 yards per catch.
The difference was that Atlanta’s biggest explosive play became a touchdown, while Los Angeles’ biggest gains did not fully offset its turnovers.
Player of the Game
Bijan Robinson is the strongest choice for player of the game.
His statistical case is overwhelming:
195 rushing yards + 34 receiving yards + 2 total touchdowns = 229 total yards.
His 93-yard touchdown was also one of the game’s defining moments.
Robinson’s performance gave Atlanta an offensive identity that the Rams struggled to stop.
Rather than asking Cousins to win the game through volume passing, Atlanta used Robinson as the centerpiece and built its offensive production around him.
Biggest Disappointment for Los Angeles
Matthew Stafford’s three interceptions stand out.
The 269 passing yards and two touchdowns show that Stafford was capable of producing enough offense to keep the Rams competitive.
But the three interceptions created too large a margin for error.
The most damaging sequence was the early turnover trouble that helped Atlanta build its 21-0 halftime lead.
Once Los Angeles fell that far behind, Stafford had to throw aggressively to help engineer the comeback.
That increased both the potential reward and the risk.
The Most Important Statistical Mismatch
The most important mismatch was Atlanta’s rushing efficiency against the Rams defense.
Atlanta:
33 carries, 219 yards, 6.6 yards per carry
Los Angeles:
20 carries, 115 yards, 5.8 yards per carry
Neither figure is poor.
The difference is volume and scoring impact.
Atlanta ran the ball 13 more times and gained 104 more rushing yards.
That allowed the Falcons to maintain a strong offensive balance even with only 126 passing yards.
Robinson accounted for nearly 89 percent of Atlanta’s rushing yards.
That level of individual production dramatically changed the shape of the game.
What the Game Says About Kirk Cousins
Cousins’ performance was not spectacular in terms of yardage, but it was highly efficient for the role Atlanta needed him to play.
A 13-of-20 passing line represents a 65 percent completion rate.
His 99.2 passer rating was strong.
Most importantly, he avoided the turnover that could have allowed Los Angeles to complete its comeback.
His role was not to compete with Stafford’s passing volume.
His role was to complement an exceptional rushing performance and protect possessions.
That is an important distinction when evaluating quarterbacks in individual games.
What the Game Says About Matthew Stafford
Stafford’s numbers illustrate the difference between production and efficiency.
He threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
Those are normally respectable numbers.
But 22 completions on 38 attempts and three interceptions resulted in a 64.5 passer rating.
The interceptions were the defining issue.
Stafford was also sacked three times for 21 yards.
His QBR of 41.0 reflected the difficulty of producing consistently efficient offense under those circumstances.
How the Rams Nearly Came Back
The Rams deserve credit for not allowing the game to end after Atlanta’s dominant first half.
Los Angeles scored 17 points in the third quarter.
That completely changed the momentum.
The Rams eventually tied the game at 24.
The comeback was powered by Stafford’s passing production, contributions from multiple receivers, and a defensive special teams touchdown.
That comeback also shows why the final three points were so important for Atlanta.
Had the Falcons failed to score on their final meaningful opportunity, the narrative would have been completely different.
Instead, Gonzalez’s field goal gave Atlanta a 27-24 win.
Key Statistical Takeaways
The most important numbers from the matchup can be summarized quickly.
Atlanta Falcons
- 27 points
- 219 rushing yards
- 6.6 yards per carry
- 195 rushing yards from Bijan Robinson
- 93-yard rushing touchdown
- 126 passing yards
- 0 interceptions thrown
- 3 defensive interceptions
- 3 sacks
- 8 passes defended
- 10 kicking points from Zane Gonzalez
Los Angeles Rams
- 24 points
- 115 rushing yards
- 5.8 yards per carry
- 92 rushing yards from Kyren Williams
- 269 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 3 interceptions thrown
- 0 defensive interceptions
- 0 sacks
- 1 defensive touchdown
- 5 kicking points from Harrison Mevis
The statistical contrast is clear.
Atlanta won through rushing efficiency and turnover creation.
Los Angeles generated substantial passing production but lost the turnover battle.
What Fans Should Look For When Reading Player Stats
Raw box-score numbers can sometimes hide the reason a game was won.
For this matchup, the best approach is to examine several statistics together.
Start With Turnovers
Three interceptions against zero immediately explain why Atlanta had the advantage.
Then Examine Rushing Efficiency
Atlanta’s 6.6 yards per carry shows that its ground attack was not simply a clock-management tool.
It was an explosive source of offense.
Look at Explosive Plays
Robinson’s 93-yard touchdown was the clearest example.
Consider Quarterback Efficiency
Cousins threw for fewer yards but avoided turnovers.
Stafford threw for more yards but gave away three possessions.
Finally, Examine Situational Scoring
Atlanta scored 21 points in the first half and then produced the decisive late field goal.
That context makes the final score much easier to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the Falcons in rushing against the Rams?
Bijan Robinson led Atlanta with 195 rushing yards on 22 carries. He averaged 8.9 yards per carry and scored one rushing touchdown, including a 93-yard touchdown run.
How many interceptions did Matthew Stafford throw?
Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions. Xavier Watts recorded two interceptions for Atlanta, while Jessie Bates III added one interception that he returned 34 yards for a touchdown.
How many passing yards did Kirk Cousins have?
Kirk Cousins completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. He did not throw an interception and finished with a 99.2 passer rating.
How many rushing yards did Kyren Williams have?
Kyren Williams rushed 13 times for 92 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 38 yards.
What was the final score between the Falcons and Rams?
Atlanta defeated Los Angeles 27-24. The Falcons led 21-0 at halftime before the Rams mounted a comeback and eventually tied the game at 24.
Who scored the game-winning points?
Zane Gonzalez provided the decisive points for Atlanta with a late field goal. He finished the game with 10 total points after making two field goals and all three extra-point attempts.
Conclusion
The atlanta falcons vs los angeles rams match player stats reveal a game where efficiency and decisive plays mattered more than overall passing volume.
Atlanta’s victory was built around Bijan Robinson’s outstanding rushing performance, a 219-yard team rushing effort, and three interceptions of Matthew Stafford. Robinson’s 195 rushing yards and 93-yard touchdown were the biggest offensive highlights, while Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts provided the defensive plays that repeatedly shifted possession and momentum.
Los Angeles had enough offensive production to win the game. Stafford passed for 269 yards and two touchdowns, Kyren Williams added 92 rushing yards, and several Rams receivers created explosive gains. The problem was that three interceptions erased too much of that production.
Kirk Cousins, meanwhile, delivered exactly what Atlanta needed. His 126 passing yards were modest, but he completed 65 percent of his attempts, threw one touchdown, and most importantly avoided an interception.
The final statistical picture is therefore less about which team accumulated the most passing yardage and more about which team converted its opportunities into points. Atlanta ran the ball efficiently, created turnovers, protected the football, and made the final scoring play. Los Angeles produced a remarkable comeback, but its early deficit and turnover problems ultimately proved too difficult to overcome.
