The Atlanta Falcons now control the destiny for one NFC South team after defeating the Rams on Monday night.
Falcons Could Ruin NFC South Chances for One Team
Happy Victory TUESDAY to you, Dirty Birds pic.twitter.com/roJDkrWLtq
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 30, 2025
The Falcons played like a team that should be qualifying for the postseason.
Bijan Robinson totaled 229 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the Falcons’ 27-24 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson’s career night featured 195 yards rushing, including a franchise-record 93-yard touchdown run.
The Falcons intercepted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford three times, including a pick-six from safety Jessie Bates III.
With their win, the Falcons moved to 7-9. Atlanta cannot make the playoffs, even if they finish with eight wins. However, Atlanta can spoil the party for one NFC South team.
Next week, the Carolina Panthers (8-8) take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The game was supposed to be a winner-take-all matchup for the NFC South. Atlanta’s win removes that scenario for one team.
With a win over the Bucs, Carolina secures the NFC South and will advance to the postseason.
The same cannot be said for Tampa. The Buccaneers need to beat the Panthers, and the Saints must defeat the Falcons for Tampa to secure the NFC South title.
If the Bucs and Falcons win, it creates a three-way tie in the division at 8-9. In that scenario, the Panthers win the tiebreaker and the NFC South because of their head-to-head record against both teams.
The Falcons host the Saints on Sunday, Jan. 4, meaning Tampa could have to wait an entire day to learn about their postseason fate.
Do the Rams Have Anything to Play For?
LIVE: Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford postgame press conference following matchup against the Falcons. https://t.co/S4lQxjY8gZ
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2025
With the disappointing loss, the Rams fell to 11-5, good enough for the No. 6 seed in the postseason.
The Rams cannot win the NFC West or the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Those two titles will go to the winner of Saturday night’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
The Rams will be the No. 5 seed if they beat the Cardinals in Week 18 and the Seahawks defeat the 49ers. If the 49ers beat the Seahawks or the Rams lose to the Cardinals, Los Angeles will be the No. 6 seed.
Theoretically, the Rams could have nothing to play for on Sunday if the 49ers win on Saturday. Coach Sean McVay typically rests his starters in Week 18. That won’t happen this season.
“No, they were going to play anyways,” McVay said in his press conference. “We need to play. We need to play better football. So I don’t know what the consequences are in those different types of things, but we got to play better.”
