There was no escaping Terrell Island in a primetime matchup Monday night.
Former Clemson star cornerback A.J. Terrell balled out and shut down one of the NFL’s best receivers during the Atlanta Falcons’ 27-24 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua came into Monday’s game averaging 191 receiving yards over his three previous games. But on Monday night, in 10 matchups against Nacua, Terrell was targeted five times and allowed just two receptions for 17 yards, according to Falcons senior editor and staff writer Will McFadden.
According to McFadden, Terrell forced seven tight window targets against the Rams, tied for the most by a defender in a game this season.
Terrell had two pass breakups on the Rams’ final drive, including one on fourth down as time expired when Stafford targeted Nacua. He also broke up a pass on third down to prevent Nacua from making what initially appeared to be an incredible one-handed catch that would have put the Rams in range for a potential game-tying field goal.
Now in his sixth NFL season, Terrell has established himself as an indispensable member of Atlanta’s secondary since being selected by the Falcons in the first round (16th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
A 2021 All-Pro, Terrell has recorded six interceptions, as well as 61 passes defended, across 92 games (all starts) in his NFL career so far. He has 64 tackles and a forced fumble this season, and despite missing a couple of games due to a hamstring injury, he leads the Falcons with 12 passes defended.
Before the 2024 season, he and the Falcons agreed on a massive four-year, $81 million contract extension, which will keep the 27-year-old under contract with Atlanta through the 2028 season.
Following up because these Next Gen Stats are sweeeet
A.J. Terrell forced 7 tight window targets against the Rams, tied for the most by a defender in a game this season.
In 10 matchups against Puka Nacua, he was targeted 5 times and allowed 2 receptions for 17 yards. https://t.co/Jd7qa08Exr pic.twitter.com/tIonKEAdZ0
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 30, 2025
Raheem Morris gave out five game balls:
AJ Terrell
Jessie Bates
Xavier Watts
Bijan Robinson
Zane Gonzalez
— Rise Up Bijan (@RiseUpReader) December 30, 2025
–Photo courtesy of Dale Zanine-Imagn Images