Predicting Falcons-Rams for Week 14: Our staff is ready for a win

DW

Falcons 24 - Rams 14

The Rams have the most dominant defensive lineman in the NFL in Aaron Donald, but he won’t be quite enough. Their offense is the worst in the league, though the building blocks for the future are there. The offensive line is not great, so Beasley and Freeney could have a day. I do think the Falcons offense will be slowed a little, as Julio will clearly not be 100% if he even plays. I’d expect the team to rely heavily on Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, which is fine with me. Control the clock, keep Ryan clean and get the win. That’s all I’m really hoping for.

Matt Chambers

Falcons 34 - Rams 6

Did I call a blowout last week? Absolutely. Then the Falcons lost one 1. Did I learn my lesson? No way.

Working in my favor this week: the Rams are absolutely putrid. Atlanta’s defense only have up 13 points last week, and now they are facing a team run by Jeff Fisher. Falcons bounce back with a big win over the worst team in the league.

Kyle McClendon

Falcons 31 - Rams 14

I’m not really sure how to feel about this one. I’m going to go simply on the fact that the Rams are not very good and that the Falcons are better than them. Plus, I don’t think anyone could pass up the chance to make Jeff Fisher the coach that is tied for most losses in NFL history by an NFL head coach. I think the offense gets by with the injuries thanks to the running game, and I hope this is the game where the defense doesn’t let a team look better than they are.

Dave Choate

Falcons 27-Rams 24

I don’t like this game at all. The Falcons are potentially going to be missing their top two receiving options, their defense is a mess, and this is a West Coast road trip against a desperate (though not very good) football team. I think the Falcons can and will win it, but I expect it to be an ugly win that’s not a lot of fun to watch.

Kevin Knight

Falcons 31 - Rams 19

This game will certainly be a lot tougher with Sanu out, and also potentially Julio Jones and Jake Matthews. But the Rams are not a good football team, and there are deep issues between the coaching staff and personnel. Jeff Fisher has clearly lost the locker room and should be fired at the end of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see signs of that in the play of the Rams. Meanwhile, I think the Falcons offense will be fine with a heavy dose a Freeman and Coleman, and Taylor Gabriel has shown he’s a capable big-play threat. Also, our defense isn’t that bad, right? RIGHT?

Caleb Rutherford

Falcons 31 - Rams 17

This game makes me a little nervous. While the Rams have not been great lately, they are catching the Falcons flying into a bit of a headwind. Sanu is out, Julio is hurt, and let’s not forget, Jake Matthews is also hurt. The Rams’ strength lies in their front 7, featuring perhaps the game’s best DT in Aaron Donald and DE Robert Quinn, who is no slouch himself. If there were any game on the Falcons’ remaining schedule to have “Any Given Sunday” rear its ugly head, this would be it. Only problem? The Rams offense is 100% terrible. I think the defense will pick up the offense’s slack this week, which isn’t saying much. Against a more superior team, I would be concerned, but I think there are enough Falcons that can still fly to keep the Rams securely in their place.