Atlanta Falcons star WR Julio Jones out versus Los Angeles Rams

If not now, when? “We looked like a middle school offense out there”, Gurley said after compiling 83 yards from scrimmage and punching in the Rams’ first touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter.

Despite a season of dominance, the NFL’s No. 3-ranked passing attack (302 ypg) could be in for a test this week against a solid Rams defense that ranks ninth (231 ypg) against the pass. Jones tried to make a go of it before the contest, but Falcons coach Dan Quinn advised his top receiver to err on the side of caution, particularly with the team in the playoff chase with three games to go.

Beasley Jr. enjoyed a big day, recording three sacks in addition to his touchdown.

Ryan finished with 18 completed passes on 28 attempts for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor Gabriel led all receivers with 3 receptions for 82 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Rams don’t have much time to mope, as they face a short week and a Thursday night game at Seattle. They’ve passed the ball 284 times and run it 309.

Cunningham is 15th in the National Football League in kickoff returns with a 27.2-yard average. In last week’s loss to Kansas City, Freeman had 15 carries while Coleman had 12. The Falcons already lost their best defender, cornerback Desmond Trufant, to a season-ending pectoral injury.

The offense only put up fourteen points on a Atlanta defense which was 29th in points allowed coming in. Things continue to hum along nicely for Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein, but does he have some issues at the Coliseum? The Rams have scored only six touchdowns in five games at the Coliseum – one fewer than the Falcons managed on Sunday. Honest to God we’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror.

The blowout ended a week that began with fan uproar over two-year contract extensions for Fisher and general manager Les Snead. DE Robert Quinn missed his second straight game with a concussion. It’s been an odd, brief tenure.

Rams receiver Tavon Austin, who missed last week’s game with a chest injury, caught seven passes for 62 yards.

If both teams win-out, the Falcons hold the tiebreaker and would claim the division title.

The Rams’ first turnover came on the opening kickoff. They did at one point this season. The Rams have a minus-6 turnover margin, tied for sixth-worst in the NFL. In the 50 plus years the Falcons have been around, they played the Rams every year from 1966 to 2005.

Jones is bothered by turf toe, left tackle Jake Matthews has a knee problem, and receiver Mohamed Sanu is slowed by a sore groin. “We’re not moving the ball consistently”. Gurley has yet to run for more than 85 yards in a game and has a total of four touchdowns.

So the final quarter of the season could serve as a final job-saving push for the embattled Fisher, who in his 22nd season is one defeat from tying Dan Reeves for the most career losses in National Football League history. That’s remarkable, but there is a path to victory for the Rams.

Coleman said the performance of Atlanta’s defense was crucial, too. The Rams have not had a winning season since 2003.

The Falcons and Rams have played 76 games since 1966 in one of the more storied series in the Falcons history.

There’s a reason the Rams utilize Austin in multiple alignments and schemes.