Atlanta found its footing on a methodical second drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to Robinson take a 7-0 lead with 6:11 left in the first quarter. Los Angeles’ ensuing drive stalled at the Atlanta 11 after Kyren Williams was tackled for a loss of two yards on 4th and 1 from the Falcons’ 11.
The ensuing offensive series dug the Rams into a deeper hole, as Stafford’s overthrown third-down pass over the middle intended for Mumpfield was too high and landed in the arms of Falcons safety Jessie Bates III, who returned the interception 34 yards for a touchdown to push the Rams’ deficit to 14 with 8:30 left in the second quarter.
With Atlanta pinned back deep in their own territory after wide receiver Jordan Whittington downed an Ethan Evans punt at the Falcons 1-yard line, the Rams’ defense capitalized and forced them to go 3-and-out.
However, on the ensuing drive, Stafford was intercepted a second time, as his deep pass intended for Smith was intercepted by Falcons safety Xavier Watts. The next play, Robinson took off for a 93-yard touchdown run – almost untouched – to put Atlanta up 21-0 with 1:28 left in the first half.
The Rams used an explosive 38-yard return by Whittington on the opening kickoff of the second half, and a 36-yard completion from Stafford to Smith, to quickly move into Falcons territory, but after Stafford was sacked on third down, they were forced to settle for a 35-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis, cutting their deficit to 18 early in the third quarter.
The Falcons answered with a 56-yard field goal to regain a 21-point lead with 7:46 left in the third quarter, but the Rams responded with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Terrance Ferguson to make it a two-possession game on the next series.