Week 17's Monday Night Football features not only urgent and desperate feelings, but it also features aspirations through the prism of each individual team’s pride. The Los Angeles Rams, while still very much alive in their hopes of securing a playoff berth and gaining divisional leverage as well as possibly winning the MVP award for quarterback Matthew Stafford by participating in the playoffs, arrive in Atlanta as one of the league's premier teams, despite their devastating overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

For the Atlanta Falcons, this game represents an opportunity for them to gauge themselves against one of the NFL's premier teams, while they are no longer in contention for a playoff spot. So, while on paper it looks like a glaring mismatch, it presents an opportunity for the two clubs to engage in a fierce battle about their level of intensity, style of play, current form, and motivational will to succeed.

Match Details

• Competition: NFL Week 17
• Date: December 30th, 2025
• Kick-off Time: 01:15 am (UTC)
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• Betting Lines: Los Angeles Rams -8, Over/Under 49.5

A Reality Check for the Rams After the Heartbreak in Seattle

The Rams' loss to the Seahawks by only one point in overtime, with the score of 38-37, was as cruel as it was illuminating. Even as they racked up 581 yards and spent more than 40 minutes with the ball, as Matthew Stafford unleashed 457 yards and three touchdowns, the Rams came home with no score to show for it. This broke their six-game winning streak.

Nevertheless, if anything, this loss only cemented the Rams’ status as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Their offense, led by coach Sean McVay, is one of the most complex units in the league, featuring unrelenting motion, vertical attacks, and precise play calls. The Rams currently lead the league in scoring, accumulating 30.5 points per game, and are ranked in the top five teams in both pass and rush efficiency. The passion sparked from the Seattle game will be the crucial factor. Experienced teams usually find a way to convert their anger and sadness into positive fuel, and the Rams have a roster designed for a scenario like this.

Matthew Stafford MVP Push Rolls On

Matthew Stafford, at the age of 37, is reportedly playing the best football of his life. He leads the league with 40 touchdown throws, has only five interceptions, and continues to pick apart defensive fronts with the composure of a seasoned veteran. His lightning-quick release defeats all pass rushes, and his ability to throw to tight windows keeps defenses stretched beyond their limits. Stafford's connection with Puka Nacua has established itself as a key theme throughout the NFL season. Nacua is in his second year but currently leads all NFL receivers in receptions, and he is also near the top of the league in yards after catching the football (225). However, Nacua doesn't fall under the label of "producing only from one position." He is able to thrive in various positions, on both sides of the defense, as well as with and without the ball.

As a result of potential limitations for Davante Adams, Puka's role is likely to expand further than usual, particularly considering that the Falcons' secondary is without some of its primary contributors.

Although the Falcons are already Eliminated from Playoff Contention

Atlanta has a 6-9 record, but this does not give the complete picture of how the team has performed this season. After a collapse midseason that caused them to lose out on a playoff chance, the Falcons have quietly returned to form, winning 2 of their last 3 games and beginning to click again on offense due to Kirk Cousins returning to form after taking over for Michael Penix Jr. because of an injury. Cousins is back to his normal rhythm, steady presence, and good timing as a starting quarterback again. Their win over Arizona last week with a score of 26-19 was a perfect display of playing controlled football. They controlled possession, were mainly dependent on their running game, and did not make mistakes. Cousins did not need to be fancy, and he performed exactly what this team needs to be functional.

While the Falcons may no longer have a shot at the playoffs, pride is most definitely on the line. And so are contractual futures. And that’s with a team that has plenty of motivation under the guidance of head coach Raheem Morris, who has ties to the Rams as a defensive coordinator himself.

Bijan Robinson: The Engine of the Atlanta Off

If the Falcons want to stay in contention, Bijan Robinson must set the pace. The flexible running back has quickly become one of the most well-rounded offensive assets in the entire NFL, boasting electrifying rush prowess in addition to incredible receiving numbers. With over 1,400 scrimmage yards this season alone, Robinson anchors Atlanta’s identity.

While playing against a Rams defense that is moderate against the run, Robinson's skill of attacking a weakness in space might be Atlanta’s most effective approach. Screen passes, angle routes, and zone runs to the outside will be vital not only in accumulating yards but also in keeping Stafford out of the game.

A supportive cast for Robinson is a maturing pass-happy receiving corps fronted by Kyle Pitts, who has finally matured enough to resemble the nightmare mismatch target that scouts had projected. Pitts’s recent improvement gives Cousins an intermediate passing target, which is highly helpful against the Rams, whose defense aggressively masks coverage.

Game Strategy: Strength vs Structure

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this game—from a schematic standpoint, the stark contrast between how the Rams and the Falcons operate offensively and defensively. The Rams utilize pre-snap motion to gain an advantage against defenders by dictating where to cover (or not cover) prior to returning to their set formation as opposed to what the opposing defense is doing. Conversely, the Falcons utilize Cover 3 principles as their primary defensive strategy and therefore focus more on structure than on aggression.

When considering the Falcons' defensive philosophy, you run the risk of a poor performance against a quarterback like Matthew Stafford, who has a tendency to exploit Cover 3 defensive alignments through anticipation throws (e.g., the back shoulder throw) and seam routes (e.g., deep crossers down the center of the field)—both of which are strengths of wide receiver Puka Nacua and tight end Colby Parkinson; they can easily take advantage of the defenses in these areas if they cannot put enough pressure on him with their talented but inexperienced edge rushers.

From a defensive perspective, the Rams will have a disciplined pass rush that does not utilize the blitz (for the most part) as part of their overall game plan, which could extend the time it takes for quarterback Kirk Cousins to complete passes. It will also increase the likelihood of him turning the ball over against a Rams defense that is currently leading.

Betting Analysis: Los Angeles is Heavily Favored

The Los Angeles Rams opened this week as an 8-point favorite according to sportsbooks. This line reflects both the talent differential between the two teams as well as the motivation for Los Angeles. The Rams are still fighting to win against the NFC West division, and Atlanta has very little chance of securing playoff seeding because of inconsistency and poor defensive performance.

The 49.5-point total is drawing a lot of interest in the betting community. The Rams have consistently scored a lot of points on the road this season, and Atlanta's recent games have been trending towards increased scoring efficiency. If Los Angeles is able to get out to a big enough lead early in the game, it has the potential to increase the pace of play significantly.

Betting Trends:

• Offensive efficiency of the Rams against the weakened secondary of the Falcons
• Turnover discipline displayed by Matthew Stafford against the Falcons' reliance on pressure
• The Rams will be favored in the latter stages of the game based on projected rush volume increasing in the 4th quarter

Betting Odds (via Stake.com)

Prediction: Skill, Urgency, and Execution Will Decide

Atlanta's ability to compete early will be aided by the fact that Robinson will have multiple opportunities to break free and Pitts will create matchup problems for defensive backs. However, as the game progresses throughout the full four quarters, Los Angeles will have too many inherent advantages. Stafford's calm demeanor coupled with McVay's ability to design plays and the Rams' capability of scoring quickly will eventually build upon what Atlanta offers. While the Atlanta Falcons will put forth a valiant effort, especially when playing at home, the rush to make the playoffs coupled with the offensive firepower of Los Angeles will win out in the end.

• Final Score Predictive Outcome: Los Angeles Rams 28 - Atlanta Falcons 21
• Recommendation on Best Bets:

Played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium under the spotlight of its awesome lights, this game may not determine the Atlanta Falcons' future, but it will impact how the Los Angeles Rams pursue a Super Bowl victory during this playoff campaign.