Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Rams Box Score on Dec 11, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Dec 11, 2016

LOS ANGELES -- Quarterback Matt Ryan passed for three touchdowns, and the Atlanta Falcons rolled to a 42-14 victory over the woeful Los Angeles Rams at the Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.

Ryan completed 18 of 28 passes for 237 yards to keep the Falcons (8-5) tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South. The Falcons converted four of the Rams' five turnovers into scores.

The Falcons, who jumped out to a 42-0 lead after three quarters, prevailed despite the absence of leading receiver Julio Jones, who was unable to play because of turf toe. Starting wideout Mohamed Sanu (groin) also sat out.

The Rams (4-9) lost their fourth in a row and fell for the eighth time in nine games. Rookie quarterback Jared Goff was 24 of 41 for 235 yards with two interceptions. Goff ran for a 2-yard touchdown with 2:44 left. Todd Gurley's 3-yard run to open the fourth quarter was the Rams' other score.

It took the Falcons 10 seconds to score their initial touchdown. Rams returner Michael Thomas muffed the opening kickoff, and Atlanta linebacker Paul Worrilow recovered it at the Los Angeles 3-yard line.

On the next play, Ryan hit wide receiver Justin Hardy for a 3-yard scoring pass and a 7-0 lead.

The Falcons struck again on the first play of the second quarter. Ryan found running back Tevin Coleman for a 6-yard touchdown pass, capping a nine-play, 88-yard drive for a 14-0 lead.

Linebacker Deion Jones made it 21-0 by returning an interception 33 yards for a score with 8:54 left in the second.

The Falcons added three more touchdowns in the third quarter. Ryan connected on a 64-yard score with wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, Coleman scored on a 6-yard run, and linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. returned a fumble 21 yards to the end zone.

Gabriel had three catches for 82 yards.

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

Rams defensive end Robert Quinn missed his second contest in a row while dealing with the effects of a concussion.

NOTES: Rams RB Benny Cunningham (neck), CB E.J. Gaines (thigh) and TE Cory Harkey (healthy scratch) also were among the players inactive for the game. ... For the Falcons, DE Adrian Clayborn (knee) and S Robenson Therezie (ankle) were unavailable. ... Atlanta S Kemal Ishmael left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury and did not return. ... Rams S Maurice Alexander was carted off late in the third quarter due to a concussion. ... The first game in Falcons history occurred against the Rams in 1966. Four Bruce Gossett field goals lifted Los Angeles to a 19-14 win. ... Although the teams hadn't played at the Coliseum since 1978, the Rams hold an 11-1-2 record in meetings there. ... The Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. The Falcons host the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday.