The Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to face the Atlanta Falcons in a Week 17 matchup on Monday Night Football. While the Rams have already clinched a postseason berth and the Falcons are out of the playoff race, this game still carries meaningful stakes. As a result, many are wondering whether those stakes are high enough for the Rams to avoid resting quarterback Matthew Stafford and other key starters.
Will Matthew Stafford Play Against the Falcons?
With an impressive 11–4 record, the Rams had a realistic shot at winning the NFC West. However, their recent 38–37 loss to the divisional rival Seattle Seahawks hurt those hopes. And their chances were crushed with both Seattle and the San Francisco 49ers’ wins in Week 17. Those results eliminated the Rams from the division title race and the conversation about the top seed.
Because the Rams can no longer win the division, speculation has grown about whether Stafford and other starters might get some rest as the team prepares for the playoffs. However, Los Angeles still has something important to play for.
The Rams can still earn the No. 5 seed in the NFC by winning their remaining two games, which would set them up for a much easier matchup against the NFC South winner, which will be either the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since playoff seeding can significantly impact a postseason run, the Rams are unlikely to rest their starters.
If the Rams lose either of their final two games, they could fall to the No. 6 seed and face a tougher matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, the Rams own the Falcons’ 2026 first-round draft pick, meaning a win on Monday would also benefit them from a draft standpoint.
Beyond the team’s goals, Stafford also has personal stakes in this game. The 37-year-old quarterback is playing for the MVP consideration. He has been performing impressively this season, and has thrown for 4,179 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, which earned him an 84.3 score and ranking No. 6 on PFSN’s QB Impact metric.
Under Stafford’s leadership, the Rams have thrived, and the team is on track to reach the postseason for the third straight year. They have one of the best offenses in the league, ranking no. 1 on the PFSN’s Offense Impact.
While Los Angeles is capable of competing with any opponent, facing Carolina or Tampa Bay would be far more favorable than a matchup with Philadelphia. To secure that path, the Rams will need to keep winning, starting with the Falcons on Monday night.
