The Rams are averaging 30.5 points per game. They scored none in the first half against the Falcons.
Atlanta dominated the first half, intercepting Matthew Stafford twice while gaining 211 yards to take a 21-0 lead into the locker room. It was only the third first-half shutout in the Sean McVay era.
Safety Jessie Bates had a 34-yard, pick-six of Stafford, who threw only five interceptions in the first 15 games. Xavier Watts had an interception of Stafford with 1:41 remaining in the half, and Bijan Robinson ripped off a 93-yard touchdown run.
Robinson earlier had a 4-yard touchdown reception from Kirk Cousins on third down.
Robinson has 11 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 13 yards and a score. Cousins is 7-of-11 for 68 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams look like they have a hangover from their last game. They led the Seahawks 30-14 in the fourth quarter, but blew the game, 38-37, and a shot at the NFC West title and the No. 1 overall seed in the process.
They gained only 113 yards in the first half, with their biggest play overturned by an illegal formation penalty on left tackle D.J. Humphries. Humphries, who started for injured starter Alaric Jackson, did not line up on the line of scrimmage. That negated a 36-yard throw from Stafford to Puka Nacua to the Atlanta 2.
Stafford is 9-of-17 for 96 yards and two interceptions, an ugly performance for one of the betting favorites for the MVP award. Nacua has two catches for only 18 yards.
Rams running back Blake Corum is questionable to return with a right ankle injury. Falcons cornerback Mike Ford also has an ankle injury and is questionable to come back tonight.
If the Falcons win tonight and next week against the Saints, the Panthers will win the NFC South regardless how Carolina fares in its game against Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Jessie Bates has given the Falcons a 14-0 lead.
The safety intercepted Matthew Stafford, who overthrew Konata Mumpfield, and Bates returned the pick 34 yards to the end zone. It was only the sixth interception Stafford has thrown this season.
Stafford is 6-for-11 for 49 yards and a pick.
The Falcons have outgained the Rams 113 to 71.
Kirk Cousins threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to running back Bijan Robinson for the Falcons’ first touchdown.
The Falcons have an early lead on the Rams in Monday Night Football.
After both teams punted, the Falcons drove 65 yards in 11 plays on their second possession. Kirk Cousins hit running back Bijan Robinson for a 4-yard touchdown on third-and-goal, giving the Falcons a 7-0 lead with 6:11 remaining in the first quarter.
They were 3-for-3 on third down on the drive, with Darnell Mooney catching a 13-yarder on third-and-8, David Sills a 20-yarder on third-and-2 and then Robinson’s touchdown.
Cousins is 4-of-7 for 50 yards, with Sills catching two for 33. Robinson has six carries for 21 yards to go with his touchdown reception.
The Rams won’t have wide receiver Davante Adams, but the Falcons will have wide receiver Drake London.
Adams will miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury after the Rams listed him as doubtful to play. He aggravated the injury in the Week 15 win over the Lions.
Adams has 60 receptions for 789 yards and a league-best 14 touchdowns.
Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle) also won’t play after being listed as questionable.
D.J. Humphries will start for Jackson.
The Rams’ other inactives are right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle), cornerback Josh Wallace (ankle), cornerback Darious Williams and running back Jarquez Hunter.
The Falcons will have London for a second consecutive week after he missed four games with a sprained PCL in his knee. He returned against the Cardinals last week and played 53 snaps, totaling three catches for 27 yards.
He has 63 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns this season.
The Falcons’ inactives are wide receiver Casey Washington, wide receiver Malik Heath, cornerback Mike Hughes (ankle), running back Nathan Carter, inside linebacker Josh Woods (personal), offensive lineman Michael Jerrell and defensive lineman Kentavius Street.
The Falcons elevated wide receiver Chris Blair and edge rusher Khalid Kareem from their practice squad for Monday Night Football against the Rams.
This marks Blair’s third consecutive elevation and Kareem’s second in a row.
Blair played three offensive snaps and five on special teams in the Falcons’ win over the Bucs in Week 15 and nine offensive snaps in the Falcons’ win against the Cardinals in Week 16. Blair has had a target in the passing game.
Kareem made two tackles against the Cardinals while playing 11 defensive snaps. He was on the Falcons’ active roster earlier this season and made a tackle during his 26 defensive snaps in the Falcons’ Week 11 overtime loss to the Panthers. He also played 10 special teams snaps in that game.
The Falcons also announced inside linebacker Josh Woods won’t play against the Rams tonight because of a personal matter.
