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Rams’ Division Hopes End as Stafford’s MVP Bid Heads to Prime Time

Playing the Falcons carries extra weight for Los Angeles because the Rams hold Atlanta’s 2026 first-round pick.

Overview

  • A 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks, coupled with Seattle and San Francisco wins, eliminated the Rams from the NFC West race and the No. 1 seed, setting up a road playoff start as a No. 5 or 6 seed.
  • Matthew Stafford enters Monday night as a leading MVP candidate with over 4,000 passing yards, a league-best 40 touchdown passes, and only five interceptions at age 37.
  • The prime-time matchup offers a showcase for Stafford even as history shows MVPs rarely come from non-division winners since 2000.
  • Atlanta is 6-9 and out of the playoffs, and the game reunites close coaching allies as former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris leads the Falcons against Sean McVay’s staff.
  • Los Angeles owns Atlanta’s 2026 first-rounder from a draft-day deal tied to James Pearce Jr., with the Rams currently tracking to hold one pick near No. 11 and another later in the first round.