Monday Night Meltdown: Falcons Stun Rams as Stafford’s MVP Case Takes a Hit

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The final Monday Night Football matchup of 2025 was billed as the “coronation” of Matthew Stafford’s MVP campaign. Instead, it became a showcase for a resilient Atlanta Falcons squad and a historic night for Bijan Robinson, as the Falcons pulled off a thrilling 27–24 upset in front of a stunned crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Bijan Robinson Show

Atlanta’s star running back put the league on notice with a performance for the ages. Robinson finished with a staggering 229 scrimmage yards, but the highlight of the night—and perhaps the season—was a 93-yard touchdown gallop in the second quarter.

Record Breaker: The 93-yard run set a new franchise record for the longest rush and rushing touchdown in Falcons history.
Early Dominance: Robinson also caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins earlier in the half, helping Atlanta build a shocking 21–0 lead at the break—the first time the high-powered Rams were held scoreless in a half all season.

Stafford’s Record-Breaking Night Turned Sour

For Rams QB Matthew Stafford, the night was a bittersweet mixture of historic milestones and costly mistakes.

The Milestones: Despite the loss, Stafford officially passed Ben Roethlisberger for 8th all-time in career passing touchdowns and 6th all-time in career passing yards.
The Struggles: Stafford’s MVP narrative hit a major speed bump as he threw three interceptions, including a 34-yard pick-six to Falcons safety Jessie Bates III. He finished 22-of-38 for 269 yards and two scores.

The Rams’ Valiant Comeback

After trailing 24–3 in the third quarter, Sean McVay’s squad showed why they are Super Bowl contenders by clawing back with 21 unanswered points.

The Spark: Rookie linebacker Jared Verse ignited the sideline by blocking a 37-yard field goal and returning it 76 yards for a touchdown, a massive 10-point swing.
The Tie: Stafford found tight end Terrance Ferguson for a score before hitting Puka Nacua on a clutch 11-yard screen pass to tie the game at 24–24 with just 2:46 remaining.

Zane Gonzalez for the Win

With the game on the line, Kirk Cousins orchestrated a masterful two-minute drill, leaning on Robinson to move into Rams territory. Kicker Zane Gonzalez, who had earlier seen a kick blocked for a touchdown, redeemed himself by drilling a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds left on the clock. A final desperation heave from Stafford fell incomplete, sealing the Falcons’ third straight win.

The MVP Shift

The fallout from this game was immediate in the betting markets. Stafford, who entered the night as the heavy favorite (-225), saw his odds drop to +300. Meanwhile, Drake Maye (-400) has now moved into the driver’s seat for the MVP award heading into the final week of the season.

Stat of the Game

229: Total scrimmage yards for Bijan Robinson, the most by any player in a single game this season. He now leads the NFL in total yards from scrimmage (2,250), setting a new Falcons single-season record.