Dec. 30 (UPI) — Coach Raheem Morris lauded running back Bijan Robinson as the “best player in football” after he led the Atlanta Falcons past the Los Angeles Rams.
“I mean, it’s just as simple as that,” Morris told reporters after the 27-24 victory Monday in Atlanta. “He’s unbelievable. Everything he does for our football team, from running the football, to catching the football, to protecting, to being a leader.
“He’s also our chaplain. He does it all.”
Robinson galloped for 195 yards on 22 carries, including a franchise-record 93-yard touchdown. He also totaled 34 yards and a score on five catches.
93 YARDS!
Bijan Robinson to the house! 21-0 Falcons pic.twitter.com/tNNw0oCsAV— ESPN (@espn) December 30, 2025
With Monday’s performance, Robinson pushed his season total to a league-high 2,255 yards from scrimmage and 11 scores. He totaled 1,445 yards and seven scores on the ground and a career-high 810 receiving yards and four scores off 76 catches.
Robinson eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage in six of his last seven games. He totaled at least 168 yards from scrimmage in each of his last three starts.
“He’s a special player…2,200 yards from scrimmage this year is outstanding,” Falcons coach Kirk Cousins said. “[Former Minnesota Vikings running back] Dalvin Cook had almost 2,000 one year. I didn’t know I’d ever get to see that again. What he can do in both the run game and pass game is very unique. He’s a great teammate and a great person. It bodes well for his future.
“I think the key is, we’ve got to use him correctly and not overwork him. … But if you call his number, he’s going to answer.”
The Rams held a 363-345 advantage in total yards, but were out-gained 219-115 on the ground. The Falcons blocked a field goal and logged three sacks and three interceptions, including two by rookie safety Xavier Watts.
The Falcons scored the first 21 points of the game and didn’t look back. Robinson caught a 4-yard score for the first points of the night, midway through the first quarter. Safety Jesse Bates intercepted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and scored on a 34-yard return 6:30 into the second.
Watts intercepted Stafford 1:41 before halftime. Robinson took the next snap and rumbled 93 yards to the end zone to hand the Falcons a three-score lead at the break.
BLOCKED FG!
Jared Verse said ✌️ on his way to the end zone! pic.twitter.com/XYSZhoOQzK— ESPN (@espn) December 30, 2025
The Rams cut into the deficit by outscoring the Falcons 17-3 in the third quarter, including one touchdown from a 76-yard return of a blocked field goal by pass rusher Jared Verse.
Stafford tied the score with an 11-yard touchdown toss to Puka Nacua with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Kicker Zane Gonzalez gave the lead back to the Falcons with a 51-yard kick with 21 seconds remaining. The Falcons defense held up over the final seconds of the matchup, with Stafford throwing four consecutive incompletions to end the night.
Stafford completed 22 of 38 passes for 269 yards, two scores and three interceptions. Rams running back Kyren Williams totaled 130 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches.
Cousins completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a score for the Falcons, who were already eliminated from playoff contention.
“We’re in the NFL,” Robinson said. “We can’t give up on anything in this league. That’s how injuries happen. That’s how bad things happen. You lose the identity of a team. We made it known as soon as we got that elimination that we are going to finish off the season the right way, finish it off strong.”
The Falcons (7-9) will host the New Orleans Saints (6-10) in their season finale at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Atlanta. The Rams (11-5) will host the Arizona Cardinals (3-13) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.