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The final Monday night matchup of the 2025 NFL season has arrived.
Wrapping up Week 17, the Atlanta Falcons will be hosting the Los Angeles Rams on “Monday Night Football,” with each team having differing playoff outlooks. For the 6-9 Falcons, postseason hopes have already evaporated, while the 11-4 Rams are still eyeing improved playoff seeding in the NFC.
Even without any playoff outlook, Raheem Morris’ unit should have plenty of motivation to continue winning on Monday night — the Falcons owe the Rams their 2026 first-round pick after the teams made a 2025 draft day deal. Atlanta’s young defensive pieces have hit a stride lately, and the Falcons come into Week 17 on a two-game win streak as Kirk Cousins returned as their starting quarterback.
Monday’s matchup could also factor into the 2025 MVP race, as Matthew Stafford appears to be in a back-and-forth battle with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for the honor. After Maye diced up the Jets for five touchdown passes on Sunday, Stafford will be looking to answer and continue building his MVP case for a 40-touchdown, five-interception campaign thus far.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights as the Falcons host the Rams on “Monday Night Football.” Follow along with all of the action below.
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Rams vs. Falcons live updates, highlights from ‘Monday Night Football’
All times ET.
9:00 p.m.: The Falcons finally don’t convert on third down, with Cousins trying to find Kyle Pitts but throws it out of bounds.
Atlanta punts for the second time tonight, and the Rams will take back over just ahead of the 10.
8:54 p.m.: On 3rd & 2, London gets his first reception of the game. It goes for four yards, but is enough to move the chains.
End of the first quarter: Falcons 7, Rams 0
8:49 p.m.: Atlanta leads and has a new set of downs as the first quarter expires.
Once again, it’s Robinson, who takes a reception nine yards across the sticks.
8:45 p.m.: Stafford connected with Mumpfield for four yards, setting up a 4th & 1. Sean McVay decides to go for it, handing the ball to Kyren Williams.
But, the running back is immediately blown up. Khalid Kareem gets to him in the backfield for a two-yard loss, but more importantly, Atlanta takes back over.
The @AtlantaFalcons defense gets the 4th down stop! 😤
LARvsATL on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/Q0n0gJEIXi
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
The Rams come up scoreless after a long drive and it remains 7-0.
8:43 p.m.: Los Angeles is inside the red zone after a 1st & 10 pass to Colby Parkinson.
The Rams are looking to strike right back after Atlanta took the first lead of the game.
8:41 p.m.: Stafford finds Nacua for the first time tonight, and it’s a big one.
On third down, the quarterback has time and bullets the ball to his receiver at the Atlanta 28. It’s a 10-yard reception.
Stafford 🎯 Puka to convert on 3rd down
LARvsATL on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/7K3kGYQfYf
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
Nacua is entering tonight with over 150 yards in three straight games.
8:40 p.m.: On 3rd & 10, the Rams move the chains. Stafford rolls out left and buys time, then finds Xavier Smith downfield.
LA needed 10. Stafford makes a play to get them 18.
LARvsATL on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/WTvmV2zGJY
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
It goes for 18 yards down to the Atlanta 47 and the Rams are across midfield.
Without Davante Adams, the Rams need players to step up outside of Nacua. So far, Smith and Mumpfield have a catch.
Falcons 7, Rams 0
8:34 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: In fitting fashion, the Falcons find the end zone on 3rd & goal. Of course, it’s Bijan Robinson.
Cousins is able to float a ball to the running back, who hauls in a four-yard touchdown in stride. It’s his fourth receiving touchdown of the season.
Kirk. Bijan. @AtlantaFalcons take the lead!
LARvsATL on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/3BFAnc0dWc
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
Atlanta leads 7-0 early on.
8:32 p.m.: Once again, the Falcons have a chunk play on third down.
Again, it’s Sills, who is wide open on the left side for 20 yards and Atlanta is inside the 10.
8:29 p.m.: The Falcons are 2-for-2 on third downs after Cousins throws to Darnell Mooney on the left side and the receiver catches the ball on a curl route.
Cousins to Mooney and the @AtlantaFalcons offense is movin’
LARvsATL on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/ZlYuUrLQYi
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
This one goes for 13 yards as well down to the Los Angeles 37.
8:27 p.m.: Robinson had a five-yard carry on first down to start the drive, but a false start penalty made it a 2nd & 10.
Still, the Falcons have the first first down conversion on the next play, with Cousins finding David Sills V over the middle of the field. It goes for 13 yards to the Atlanta 48.
8:21 p.m.: The Rams now faced a 3rd & 7 inside the 10 — a penalty took back a long Los Angeles return — and just like the Falcons it’s a three-and-out
Stafford looked to his left and found Konata Mumpfield, but he was just short of the line to gain. It brought out Ethan Evans for a punt, and Atlanta’s Deven Thompkins fair caught it at the 35.
Cousins and the Falcons offense have the ball back after the teams exchanged three-and-outs to open the game.
8:18 p.m.: Robinson took the first two carries for a few yards, setting up a 3rd & 7. Though, the Falcons can’t convert.
Cousins lobbed the ball up to London, but it was swatted away by Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Forbes Jr., was a first round pick by the Washington Commanders and has benefitted from the change of scenery.
Atlanta punts to end the first drive of the night.
8:16 p.m.: The Rams have kicked off and we are underway in Atlanta.
Kirk Cousins and the Falcons offense has the ball first.
8:12 p.m.: Kickoff is moments away from Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Will the Rams stay in contention for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and NFC West, or will the Falcons play spoiler?
8:06 p.m.: Matthew Stafford returns to the state of Georgia, where he had a storied career with the Georgia Bulldogs.
Matthew Stafford back in Georgia leading the QBs out to the field.
LARvsATL– 8:15pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/N2EWq7gTep
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
He finished his three seasons in Athens with a 27-7 record as a starter, 7,731 passing yards, and became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
7:57 p.m.: The Rams are looking to bounce back from a loss in one of the games of the year, when they lost 38-37 to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime. All four of their losses this season have come on decisive plays in the fourth quarter or extra frame.
‘BOUT THAT TIME! pic.twitter.com/yGqoDFTme9
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2025
Though, Super Bowl aspirations are very much in reach for Sean McVay and co. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Los Angeles is the favorite to win Super Bowl LX.
7:48 p.m.: Kirk Cousins, who took over for Michael Penix Jr., has the Falcons on a two-game win streak entering tonight.
Kirko and the @AtlantaFalcons rockin’ the red helmets 🔥
LARvsATL– 8:15pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/6o4HPObr2k
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025
Cousins had 373 yards and three touchdowns last time out in primetime.
7:42 p.m.: The Rams have taken the field in their bone-colored uniforms.
HERE WE GO, 9️⃣! pic.twitter.com/cgJZuuOZev
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2025
7:37 p.m.: Look at those beautiful Falcons uniforms, making one last appearance for tonight.
.@tylerallgeier25 🤝 @DrakeLondon_ pic.twitter.com/FDilGrG5Ru
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 30, 2025
7:34 p.m.: Bijan Robinson is closing in on the Falcons single-season scrimmage yards record, only 151 away from William Andrews in 1983.
Bijan Robinson signing autographs before today’s game.
He’s 151 scrimmage yards away from breaking the #Falcons scrimmage yards franchise record (2,176 yds set by William Andrews in 1983) pic.twitter.com/RnryBsswBe
— Lexi Bowden (@lexibowden_) December 30, 2025
The running back has been electric in primetime this season, tallying 581 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings, Bills and Buccaneers. The Falcons won all three of those games.
Will Robinson make history tonight?
7:30 p.m.: Kickoff is less than an hour away between the Rams and Falcons in the last “Monday Night Football” of the season.
Lock in. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/3anTDCPwOx
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2025
7:25 p.m.: Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was hired from the Rams and also brought along Zac Robinson to be the team’s offensive coordinator. Of course, there are familiar faces on both sidelines tonight.
Always nice to see familiar faces. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/KOdH1EB7KE
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2025
7:05 p.m.: Los Angeles has posted its inactives for tonight’s matchup.
Inactives for Week 17 vs. Atlanta:
WR Davante Adams
RB Jarquez Hunter
CB Josh Wallace
CB Darious Williams
OL Kevin Dotson
OL Alaric Jackson pic.twitter.com/CiC4kNY0jL
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2025
Most notable is wide receiver Davante Adams, who is out for the remainder of the regular season with a hamstring injury.
6:55 p.m.: Atlanta has listed its inactives for “Monday Night Football.”
Drake London is active for tonight’s gamehttps://t.co/VamtEZGZsx pic.twitter.com/rePkiMfTud
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 29, 2025
Drake London, who has a knee injuery, is good to go.
6:40 p.m.: Here’s another look at the NFC playoff picture entering tonight’s game.
NFC playoff picture, pending Rams-Falcons on MNF:
Seahawks at 49ers is for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. pic.twitter.com/749P707FjK
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) December 29, 2025
With a win, the Rams would jump the 49ers for the NFC’s fifth seed due to a better divisional record.
6:33 p.m.: Matthew Stafford is the favorite to win MVP, and can solidify his case with a good performance in Atlanta.
Will Matthew Stafford solidify his MVP case tonight? 🤔🏆 pic.twitter.com/KXVW9zWyxz
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) December 29, 2025
6:11 p.m.: The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams are in the house.
We have arrived. 📍🏟️ pic.twitter.com/C1McCQC17U
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2025
With a win, the Rams would stay in contention for the NFC West title and have the inside track for the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs.
5:54 p.m.: The NFC South looks like it will be a win-and-in game for the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that won’t be the case if Atlanta wins out.
Bizarre, but true
The Panthers have two routes to the NFC South title
– beat TB in Week 18
– Falcons win out (creates potential three-way-tie at 8-9 where CAR wins head-to-head tiebreakers over TB and ATL) pic.twitter.com/GFgo0xFkWb
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 28, 2025
If the Falcons win their two remaining games, the Panthers will win the NFC South regardless of who wins their Week 18 matchup in Tampa Bay.
5:53 p.m.: The Falcons are in primetime again, and you know what that means: the Dirty Bird throwback uniforms are back.
Prime Time Lights ⏳ pic.twitter.com/8WUcXUDKIk
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 29, 2025
Atlanta has won in the uniforms in, both in primetime matchups this season, against the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Where to watch Rams vs. FalconsRams vs. Falcons start timeDate: Monday, December 29Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 17’s edition of “Monday Night Football” between the Rams and Falcons will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
Joe Buck will be on play-by-play for the matchup, with Troy Aikman serving as the color commentator.
What channel is Rams vs. Falcons on today?Date: Monday, December 29TV Channel: ESPNLive stream: ESPN App, Fubo
The Week 17 matchup between the Rams and the Falcons will be broadcast on ESPN.
Streaming for the game is be available through the ESPN App as well as Fubo, which carries ESPN in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial.
NFL Week 17 schedule Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)DateGameTime (ET)BroadcastThu, Dec. 25Cowboys at Commanders1:00 p.m.NetflixThu, Dec. 25Lions at Vikings4:30 p.m.NetflixThu, Dec. 25Broncos at Chiefs8:15 p.m.Prime VideoSaturday, December 27DateGameTime (ET)BroadcastSat, Dec. 27Texans at Chargers4:30 p.m.NFL NetworkSat, Dec. 27Ravens at Packers8:00 p.m.Peacock (Exclusive)Sunday, December 28DateGameTime (ET)BroadcastSun, Dec. 28Buccaneers at Dolphins1:00 p.m.FOXSun, Dec. 28Steelers at Browns1:00 p.m.CBSSun, Dec. 28Cardinals at Bengals1:00 p.m.FOXSun, Dec. 28Jaguars at Colts1:00 p.m.FOXSun, Dec. 28Seahawks at Panthers1:00 p.m.CBSSun, Dec. 28Patriots at Jets1:00 p.m.FOXSun, Dec. 28Saints at Titans1:00 p.m.CBSSun, Dec. 28Giants at Raiders4:05 p.m.CBSSun, Dec. 28Eagles at Bills4:25 p.m.FOXSun, Dec. 28Bears at 49ers8:20 p.m.NBC/PeacockMonday, December 29DateGameTime (ET)BroadcastMon, Dec. 29Rams at Falcons8:15 p.m.ESPNRelated Links