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The Los Angeles Rams had just 21 seconds to work with to pull off an improbable comeback on Monday night, or even to just kick a field goal and force overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But after two near deep completions, and a third that probably should have drawn a pass interference penalty, the Atlanta Falcons escaped with a 27-24 win over the Rams on Monday.
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The Falcons, who held a 21-0 lead earlier in the night, took the lead with just 21 seconds left in the game after Zane Gonzales drilled a 51-yard field goal. That gave Matthew Stafford 21 seconds to try and either extend or win the game.
Remarkably, he almost pulled that off three times.
On first down, Stafford just missed a completely wide open Xavier Smith. Nobody was around Smith there on first down, and he had a pretty clear path to the end zone. At worst, Smith could have ducked out of bounds to set up an easy field goal.
Stafford’s throw on second down, however, was easily the most controversial. He launched one deep for Tutu Atwell up the left side of the field, but the pass was broken up by Falcons defensive back Dee Alford.
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Yet a closer look at the play showed that Alford was clearly holding Atwell’s arm as he tried to make the grab. Both ESPN announcer Joe Buck and rules analyst Russell Yurk thought that should have been a clear pass interference penalty.
Had that been called, the Rams would have gotten the ball inside the Falcons’ 15 yard line.
Then came third down, where Puka Nacua nearly pulled off what easily would have been the Catch of the Year across the league.
Stafford threw one up to Nacua deep up the right side, but Nacua had to jump and try to haul it in before going out of bounds. Somehow, Nacua appeared to make a one-handed grab and get both of his feet down in time to pull that off. But after a closer look, it was clear that Nacua bobbled the ball on his way down to the ground.
By then, the Rams were just about out of time. They failed to find the end zone on fourth down, too, which sealed the Falcons’ three-point win.
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Stafford went 22-of-38 for 269 yards with two touchdowns in the loss for the Rams. He threw three interceptions, too, including one that was run back for a touchdown in the second quarter. Kyren Williams had 92 yards on 13 carries, and Smith had 67 yards on four catches. The Rams have clinched a playoff spot, but are likely looking at the No. 6 seed in the NFC after the loss.
Kirk Cousins went 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown in the win for the Falcons, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Bijan Robinson picked up 195 yards and a score on 22 carries, too. The Falcons have now won three straight games, and have a chance to hand the NFC South title to the Carolina Panthers via a three-way tiebreaker if they can beat the New Orleans Saints next weekend.
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While it’s not fair to blame the loss for the Rams on that final drive — they entered the locker room at halftime down by three touchdowns, after all — being that close to pulling off a win like that doesn’t make it any easier.
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