Rams at Atlanta Falcons: Who has the edge?
RAMS (11-4) at ATLANTA FALCONS (6-9)
When: Monday, 5:15 p.m.
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)
TV/Radio: ESPN/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 226, 225
Line: Rams by 8.5
Notable injury designations
Rams: OUT: RG Kevin Dotson (ankle), DB Josh Wallace (ankle); DOUBTFUL: WR Davante Adams (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: LT Alaric Jackson (knee), DE Braden Fiske (ankle).
Falcons: OUT: DL Sam Roberts (knee/ankle), CB Mike Hughes (ankle), CB Clark Phillips (triceps/illness); QUESTIONABLE: WR Drake London (knee).
What’s at stake? A lot hinges on whether San Francisco wins on Sunday. If the 49ers win, the Rams have no path to win the NFC West. If they lose, the Rams will need a win over Atlanta to keep their chances alive. Regardless, the Rams — owners of the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick — can help their draft status with a win over Atlanta.
Who’s better? One team is thinking about a Super Bowl, one’s immediate future is in limbo two weeks ahead of the offseason. So, it’s the Rams.
Matchup to watch: Rams defense vs. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson. This is a bit of a cop out, but Robinson is such a dynamic and versatile running back that the Rams will need everyone out on the field to do their part to limit him. All six Atlanta wins this year have come with Robinson reaching 100 scrimmage yards, so the Rams will need to slow him down as both a rusher and a pass catcher.
Rams win if: They can make the Falcons into a one-trick pony on offense and not allow multiple of Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts to get hot. …
Fantasy sleeper: Rams WR Konata Mumpfield. Another week likely without Adams should lead to an increased role for Mumpfield, who is the Rams’ backup X receiver. His volume shouldn’t be too high but he might get some red-zone opportunities to increase his fantasy value.
Prediction: Rams 27, Falcons 20. Beat reporter’s record: 12-3 overall; 9-6 against the spread.