The Los Angeles Rams, after an uninspiring first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night, pulled out all the stops in the second half. In fact, they were in position to potentially kick a game-tying field goal.
But a couple of calls didn’t go their way as time ran out, giving the Falcons a 27-24 win. Those missed calls were under scrutiny not only from ESPN’s Joe Buck, but also from a few other people.
NFL Onlookers Criticize Refs for Spoiling Rams’ Last Drive
On a deep pass from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Tutu Atwell, it looked like the NFL referees missed a pass interference call.
Buck and ESPN NFL rules analyst Russell Yurk were quite vocal about what took place on the field.
Joe Buck and rules analyst Russell Yurk called out the refs missing pass interference against the Falcons on a Rams deep ball in the final seconds.
“That’s a missed call!”
“That’s a pass interference.”
The Falcons hang on to win, 27-24. 🏈🦓🎙️ #NFL #MNF pic.twitter.com/ghGDDgJInm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 30, 2025
Central Florida alumnus Holden Cantor, who has been featured on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” pointed in his criticism of the refs’ missed calls: “Refs haven’t been on our [Rams] side since Puka said that thing on Adin’s stream”.
MORE: 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Dante Moore Spells Geno Smith, Carnell Tate Blesses Big Apple
Pro Football Talk’s account on X simply had a three-word response to what happened late in the game: “Obvious PI missed.” NFL analytics expert Warren Sharp wanted to point toward that missed pass interference call, too. Sharp wrote, “Don’t forget the refs completely ignored this obvious pass interference”.
don’t forget the refs completely ignored this obvious pass interference pic.twitter.com/U1Cq5IP9KN
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 30, 2025
NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo broke down the sequence of plays that probably will keep the Rams and head coach Sean McVay tossing and turning while trying to sleep on Monday night.
The #Rams’ final drive:
Stafford just misses Smith wide open for maybe a walk-in TD.
Uncalled PI on a deep ball to Atwell.
This nearly unbelievable catch by Puka. pic.twitter.com/cmTJR8x0BB
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 30, 2025
“Uncalled PI on a deep ball to Atwell,” Garafolo wrote on X.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson had a monster game on Monday night, carrying the ball 22 times for 195 yards and one impressive 93-yard touchdown run. Robinson also had five catches for 34 yards, including a first-half touchdown reception from Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Los Angeles stormed back after being down 21-0 at halftime, making for a thrilling finish for the fans rooting for the home team. Still, those late calls are going to leave the Rams wishing that they’d had more time on the clock.
