A Los Angeles Rams team that spent most of the season competing for the best record in the NFL now is third in their division, saddled with a two-game losing streak and bound to open the playoffs on the road.
“This is a humbling league and we got humbled tonight,” Rams coach Sean McVay said on Monday after a 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Bijan Robinson rushed for 195 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown, and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining as the Falcons recovered after blowing two 21-point leads.
Photo: AP
Robinson’s 93-yard touchdown run was the longest in Atlanta history and Jessie Bates III scored on a 34-yard interception return. Bolstered by those big plays, the Falcons led 21-0 at halftime and 24-3 early in the second half.
Matthew Stafford recovered from throwing three interceptions to help the Rams (11-5) pull even at 24-24. Stafford’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Puka Nacua with 2 minutes, 46 seconds remaining tied the game.
“I love the way that we found a way to get back in the game, but we weren’t able to close it out,” McVay said.
The Falcons (7-9) extended their winning streak to three games as Robinson also set the team record for most scrimmage yards in a season.
The Rams began the week leading the NFL in scoring and yards, but were shut out in the first half. After trailing 21-0 at halftime, the Rams were kept out of the end zone until Stafford’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson in the third quarter.
Los Angeles cut Atlanta’s lead to 24-17 when Jarred Verse blocked a 37-yard field-goal attempt by Gonzalez and returned the recovery 76 yards for a touchdown. It was the Rams’ first blocked kick returned for a touchdown since 1986.
Stafford’s second interception, on a throw picked off by Atlanta rookie Xavier Watts, gave the Falcons the ball at their seven in the second quarter. Robinson broke through the line and took off down the sideline, outrunning the Los Angeles defense for the NFL’s longest run of the season.
“He’s a special player,” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “What he can do in both the run game and pass game is very unique.”
Watts’ second interception, the third thrown by Stafford, stopped the Rams on a fourth-down play from the Atlanta 27 with 9:04 remaining.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris credited cornerback A.J. Terrell and the defense for limiting Nacua to five catches for 47 yards.
“I think the defensive staff did a great job again, limiting a great football player,” Morris said.
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