The Rams could potentially earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a top-5 pick in the draft
ESPN sources: Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Penix will be seeking a second opinion, but it is not encouraging. pic.twitter.com/GiWa64ofSN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025
When the Los Angeles Rams traded down from No. 26 to 46 in the draft this year, they acquired the Atlanta Falcons’ first-rounder in 2026. With the Falcons’ over/under win total sitting at 7.5, they were in line to have a decent season in Michael Penix Jr.’s first full year as a starter.
The Rams probably made that deal thinking they might end up with a pick in the middle of the first round, but it’s looking like that selection will be much earlier. The Falcons’ season is going south in a hurry and it’s making the Rams’ draft-day deal look better every day.
Since starting the season 3-2, Atlanta has now lost five games in a row, including two in overtime the last two weeks. And just when it seemed like things couldn’t get any worse for the 3-7 Falcons, they did.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury on Sunday and though he’ll get a second opinion, “it is not encouraging.” If Penix is sidelined for a while, it’ll be Kirk Cousins manning the ship in Atlanta.
Adding to the issues for Atlanta is Drake London’s injury. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that London suffered a PCL sprain against the Panthers on Sunday and will be out this week “and potentially more.”
It’s the same injury that Brock Bowers and Ricky Pearsall both dealt with, which caused Bowers to miss three games (and be visibly limited in others) and Pearsall to sit out six games for San Francisco.
Source: #Falcons WR Drake London suffered a PCL sprain and is out this week and potentially more.
With Michael Penix Jr out this week with an aggravation of his bone bruise and London out with a sprain, Atlanta is significantly short-handed. pic.twitter.com/i6SMQ3jG9V
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 17, 2025
It’s possible the Falcons will be without both Penix for extended periods of time, which would be disastrous for Atlanta the rest of the way.
As of now, the pick the Falcons traded to Los Angeles is slotted at No. 8 overall (and climbing). Prior to Monday Night Football between the 2-7 Raiders and 3-5-1 Cowboys, only six teams have fewer wins than the Falcons.
Though they’re unquestionably better than teams such as the Titans, Browns, Jets and Saints, the Falcons’ season has gone from bad to worse in a hurry. The silver lining for Atlanta is it still has two games against the Saints, one against the Jets and one against the Cardinals.
The Falcons’ other games are against the Seahawks, Bucs and Rams, however.
No one should be surprised if the Rams wind up picking in the top five come April, potentially landing their successor to Matthew Stafford at quarterback. They could also address the right tackle spot, add a top-tier corner or keep bringing in wide receivers to complement Puka Nacua.
If the Falcons’ season continues to go the way it has, the Rams’ trade will look like a major win.