{"id":26416,"date":"2025-12-29T08:25:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/plenty-at-stake-for-rams-heading-into-showdown-with-falcons\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T08:25:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:25:35","slug":"plenty-at-stake-for-rams-heading-into-showdown-with-falcons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/plenty-at-stake-for-rams-heading-into-showdown-with-falcons\/","title":{"rendered":"Plenty at stake for Rams heading into showdown with Falcons"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Upcoming Match<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a late-season matchup with subplots galore. The Rams\u2019 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium pits several of the NFL\u2019s closest coaching friends against each other with playoff and draft positions, job security and possibly the most valuable player award on the line.<\/p>\n

Current Standing and Recent Performance<\/h2>\n

The Rams are 11-4 and coming off a crushing 38-37 overtime defeat by the Seattle Seahawks. The loss knocked the Rams out of the No. 1 seed in the NFC and dropped them to No. 6 with two games left. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting because this is the opportunity for us to come back and have a response,\u201d star receiver Puka Nacua said, adding, \u201cThis is the opportunity to show that we\u2019ve improved and we learned from that experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upcoming Schedule<\/h2>\n

The Rams finish the season next Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. \u201cWe have two weeks left in it,\u201d coach Sean McVay said. \u201cI love the way everybody has maximized every single day. Those scars can be your strength if you use them appropriately. With this group I got a funny feeling that that\u2019s exactly where we\u2019re headed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Playoff Scenarios<\/h2>\n

The Rams will be on the road for the playoffs as either the No. 5 or 6 seed after victories by the Seahawks (13-3) and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday eliminated them from contention for the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed.<\/p>\n

Coaching Connections<\/h2>\n

The final stretch begins with McVay, defensive coordinator Chris Shula and offensive coordinator Mike Lafleur facing off against Falcons coach Raheem Morris, the former Rams defensive coordinator who helped them win Super Bowl LVI. Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson also coached under McVay. McVay and Shula both have described Morris as one of their best friends and mentors. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure all our kids\u2019 furniture comes from his house because we followed them,\u201d Shula said last week.<\/p>\n

Impact on the Falcons<\/h2>\n

Morris coached with the Rams from 2021 to 2023. He told Atlanta reporters last week that the Rams have \u201can all hands on deck\u201d mentality and that he has attempted to implement similar systems. \u201cWe\u2019ve definitely mimicked and mocked a lot of things that they do,\u201d he said. The Rams, however, could make a tough season for Morris even more uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

Job Security and Draft Positions<\/h2>\n

The Falcons have won two games in a row but are 6-9 and out of the playoffs. If the Rams beat them Monday, Morris\u2019 future with the Falcons becomes more uncertain. And the Rams have more to gain than just a potential No. 5 seed. During this year\u2019s draft, as the Rams contemplated how they might leverage the No. 26 pick, the Falcons gave the Rams their 2026 first-round pick so they could draft edge rusher James Pearce Jr. That essentially made the Rams the biggest winner of the draft because it gave them two 2026 first-round picks to possibly shop for an eventual replacement for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.<\/p>\n

Draft Capital<\/h2>\n

On one level, the deal worked out for both teams. The Rams selected tight end Terrance Ferguson in the second round, and Pearce has come on to record 8\u00bd sacks. But each Falcons defeat moves the Rams higher in the draft. Going into Monday, the Rams have the No. 11 pick and another pick at No. 25 or lower. McVay acknowledged the Rams\u2019 improved draft capital but said it would have no effect on how they approach the game. \u201cWay down the line for me to even think about that stuff,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Stafford\u2019s Performance<\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, Stafford is not playing like a quarterback ready to retire or be replaced. The 17th-year pro, already among the top 10 in several all-time passing categories, leads the NFL with 40 touchdown passes. He is a front-runner to win his first most valuable player award, and an outstanding performance in a Monday night showcase could seal it.<\/p>\n

Play-Calling Strategy<\/h2>\n

Will Stafford\u2019s situation influence McVay\u2019s play-calling? \u201cIf you\u2019re saying, \u2018Am I going to make a decision that I think would not be best for our team in that situation?\u2019 No, I would never do that,\u201d McVay said, adding, \u201cThe good thing is he\u2019s in that conversation because he\u2019s played great. That hasn\u2019t affected any of the decision-making. When he\u2019s doing his thing, that\u2019s good for our football team and that\u2019s all he has to do is continue to play like he\u2019s capable of. Usually, those things have a way of working themselves out if they\u2019re supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The matchup between the Rams and the Falcons holds significant implications for both teams, with playoff positions, job security, and draft capital hanging in the balance. The personal connections between the coaches add an extra layer of intrigue to the game. As the season draws to a close, the Rams are looking to bounce back from a tough loss and secure a favorable playoff spot, while the Falcons are trying to spoil their plans and potentially save their coach\u2019s job.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n