One Los Angeles Rams player can expect to hear from the NFL after the “Monday Night Football” showdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
Rams outside linebacker Desjuan Johnson made a split-second decision that could cost him.
Head coach Sean McVay and the Rams were blitzed by the Falcons and found themselves rallying from a three-score deficit at halftime. That timing added to the unfortunate nature of the Johnson’s decision, which set the Falcons up in plus territory.
Rams OLB Desjuan Jones Facing Fine Over Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
GettyKirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
During the third quarter of the game, with the Rams trailing the Falcons 24-10, Johnson dropped Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins completed the pass, finding Darnell Mooney for 22 yards and a first down. Johnson’s penalty gave the Falcons another 15 yards, taking the Falcons from their own 48-yard line with the completion to the Rams’ 37-yard line.
The Rams held the Falcons to a field goal, but the NFL will likely fine Johnson.
After the call, the broadcast noted that it appeared Johnson was called for dropping his “body weight” on Cousins.
Per Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11 item (b) of the NFL rulebook,” The defensive player must strive to fall to the side of the quarterback’s body, or to brace his fall with his arms to avoid landing on the quarterback with all or most of his body weight.”
Fines for roughing the passer can reach $17,389 for first offenses, per the NFL.
Second offenses can reach up to $23,186, though the NFL can and has used discretion when levying fines in the past.
Matthew Stafford Throws 3 Interceptions on ‘Monday Night Football’
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates against the Seattle Seahawks.
While the Rams could hear from the league over Cousins, they hope to still hear from them over Matthew Stafford.
The favorite to win MVP this season, Stafford had a game to forget.
He was 9-for-17 for 96 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in the first half, including a pick-6. Stafford bounced back in the third quarter, going 6-for-8 for 100 yards and 1 TD, but he threw his third interception in the fourth quarter with the Rams driving.
Through all of that, the Rams found themselves trailing 24-17. Still, Stafford’s performance sparked debates on social media about his MVP legitimacy.
Stafford’s biggest competition, Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, was noted as well.
“Change all those MVP votes from Stafford to Drake Maye,” 9News’ Mike Klis posted on X on December 29, making the telling statement before the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback turned the ball over for a third time.
Stafford also had to deal with both of his offensive tackles being out, with left tackle D.J. Humphries’ rough night embodied in a TD called back due to a holding call.
The Rams have had some humbling defeats in recent weeks.
This game was widely viewed as their worst amid injuries to typical starting tackles Alaric Jackson on the left side and Rob Havenstein on the right. They were also without wide receiver Davante Adams to take pressure off Puka Nacua. The Rams lost 27-24.
Stafford–who was 22-for-38 for 269 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 INTs–and the Rams have to hope their first-half efforts against the Falcons were simply an aberration with the postseason looming.
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