Week 17 Spotlight: Rams Chase Top Seed as Falcons Look to Spoil Monday Night Finale

Playoff positioning, key injuries, and long-standing history frame a pivotal Week 17 Monday Night Football matchup in Atlanta.

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Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with postseason implications still in play for the NFC. Los Angeles enters the matchup at 11-4, having already clinched a playoff berth, while Atlanta sits at 6-9 and has been eliminated from postseason contention.

The Rams remain in pursuit of the NFC’s No. 1 seed but need help around the conference following a Week 16 overtime loss to Seattle that shifted control of both the NFC West and the top seed. Atlanta, meanwhile, enters on a two-game winning streak behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and has an opportunity to disrupt Los Angeles’ late-season positioning.

Atlanta’s injury report features several notable absences. Cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips are ruled out, while wide receiver Drake London is listed as questionable after limited participation throughout the week. The Falcons will also monitor the availability of tight end Kyle Pitts, who practiced in a limited capacity.

Atlanta Falcons Injury Report:

• Mike Hughes (CB) — OUT (ankle)

• Clark Phillips (CB) — OUT (triceps/illness)

• Sam Roberts (DT) — OUT (knee/ankle)

• Drake London (WR) — QUESTIONABLE (knee)

Los Angeles enters with questions of its own. Wide receiver Davante Adams is listed as doubtful after missing practice all week with a hamstring injury, and guard Kevin Dotson has been ruled out. Defensive end Braden Fiske and offensive tackle Alaric Jackson are both questionable, potentially impacting the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Los Angeles Rams Injury Report:

• Davante Adams (WR) — DOUBTFUL (hamstring)

• Kevin Dotson (G) — OUT (ankle)

• Josh Wallace (CB) — OUT (ankle)

• Braden Fiske (DE) — QUESTIONABLE (ankle)

• Alaric Jackson (OT) — QUESTIONABLE (knee)

Matchup History

• Rams lead series 49-30-2 (since 1966)

• Falcons are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings

• Last matchup: Rams won 31-27 (2022)

• Only overtime meeting: Rams won 20-17 (1980)

Stat Check

Statistically, Los Angeles enters with the league’s second-ranked passing offense and a top-ten rushing attack, while Atlanta counters with a top-ten pass defense but ranks near the bottom against the run. Atlanta’s offense remains balanced, ranking inside the top ten in rushing, while the Rams’ defense has limited opponents on the ground.

•Rams offense: 2nd in PYG with 270.5, 7th in RYG with 126.3

•Falcons defense: 10th in PYG allowing 195.1, 26th in RYG allowed with 128.2

•Falcons offense: 18th in PYG with 215.9, 8th in RYG with 124.7

•Rams defense: 20th in PYG allowing 221.3,  11th in RYG allowing 105.7

Uni-Check

Atlanta Falcons

•Helmet: Red

•Jersey: Black

•Pants: White

Los Angeles Rams

•Helmet: Royal/sol

•Jersey: Bone

•Pants: Bone

Atlanta will wear red helmets with black jerseys and white pants, while Los Angeles will take the field in its bone road combination.