Rams can't complete comeback vs. Falcons: Instant analysis of 27-24 loss

6 hours ago 1

The Los Angeles Rams had 11 days to prepare for the 6-9 Atlanta Falcons but the way they came out of the gates in the first quarter, you'd think they were on a short week. They came out flat on offense and defense, digging themselves a big hole in the first half. They trailed 21-0 at halftime before climbing back in the second half with 17 third-quarter points to make it a game.

They then tied things up in the fourth quarter, with Puka Nacua scoring an 11-yard touchdown on a screen pass with 2:46 left to play. They erased a 21-point second-half deficit, with the biggest play being Jared Verse's blocked field goal and return for a touchdown.

The Falcons got the ball back after Nacua's tying touchdown and went down the field, getting in position for a game-winning field goal. Zane Gonzalez drilled a 51-yarder with 21 seconds left, giving the Falcons a 27-24 lead.

The Rams threw four passes on the ensuing drive but couldn't get into field goal range to tie, coming up just short in their comeback effort.

Final score: Falcons 27, Rams 24

Numbers to know

138: Bijan Robinson outgained the Rams by himself in the first half, putting up 138 total yards to the Rams' 113. He finished with 195 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving.

0: For just the third time in the Sean McVay era, the Rams were held scoreless in the first half.

3: For the second time this season, Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions in a game, including one pick-six. He did the same against the Panthers.

39: It had been 39 years since the Rams' last blocked field goal returned for a touchdown before Verse pulled it off in the third quarter.

25: Terrance Ferguson now has six catches of at least 25 yards this season, the most by a Rams rookie tight end in the last 35 years.

-3: The Rams were minus-3 in the turnover margin, giving it away three times and failing to force a single turnover.

It was over when…

... Stafford's final pass on fourth down fell incomplete with no time left on the clock, ending any hope of a comeback by the Rams.

3 stars of the game

Jared Verse: 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 blocked field goal returned for TD
Puka Nacua: 5 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
Xavier Smith: 4 catches, 67 yards

Play of the game

Jared Verse delivered not only the play of the game, but maybe the play of his career. With the Falcons trying to take a 17-point lead on a short field goal attempt, Verse broke through the line and blocked the kick, returning it 76 yards for a touchdown.

It was the Rams' first blocked field goal returned for a touchdown since 1986.

What's next?

The Rams will be back at home to close out the year, hosting the Cardinals in Week 18 on Sunday afternoon. It's a 4:25 kickoff, a game the Rams must win in order to have any shot at the No. 5 seed in the NFC. If they lose, they're the No. 6 seed and will face the Bears or Eagles in the wild-card round.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Falcons final score, instant analysis: LA suffers bad loss

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