Cousins and Falcons Fight for Survival in NFC South—A Nail-Biter!
The Atlanta Falcons held on for a hard-fought 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, snapping a four-game losing streak and keeping pace in the NFC South playoff race. Despite late-game drama and two final end-zone attempts by the Raiders, the Falcons’ defense secured the win with a critical interception by Jessie Bates III.
Falcons Stay in the Playoff Hunt
With this win, the Falcons improved to 7-7, remaining just one game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta holds the head-to-head tiebreaker against Tampa Bay, making the NFC South race one to watch in the season’s final stretch.
“We’re still in it, and that’s exactly where we want to be,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “We’ve got a short week coming up, so we’ll get back to work and fix what didn’t go right tonight.”
Atlanta’s remaining schedule looks promising, featuring two opponents with only five combined wins, plus a challenging road game against 9-5 Washington. If they can capitalize on this schedule, they have a solid shot at clinching a playoff spot.
Raiders’ Tough Season Continues
The loss extended Las Vegas’ losing streak to 10 games, tying them with the New York Giants for the NFL’s worst record at 2-12. This skid is the fifth-longest in Raiders history and the franchise’s worst since dropping 16 consecutive games a decade ago. Playoff hopes have long since faded, replaced by talk of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Injury troubles piled up for the Raiders, with quarterback Aidan O’Connell inactive due to a bruised left knee. Standout defensive end Maxx Crosby was also sidelined after announcing he would undergo season-ending ankle surgery. Adding to the team’s struggles, running back Sincere McCormick exited early with an ankle injury.
Offensive Struggles Persist for Falcons
Quarterback Kirk Cousins entered the game amid heavy criticism after throwing eight interceptions and no touchdown passes in his previous four starts. Despite speculation about rookie Michael Penix Jr. taking over, coach Raheem Morris stuck with Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal this year.
Cousins’ performance did little to silence critics. He managed only 112 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. His lone scoring pass—a 30-yard strike to wide-open receiver Drake London with 14 seconds left in the first quarter—was his first touchdown throw since Nov. 3 against the Dallas Cowboys.
“He’s got to play better,” Morris admitted after the game. Cousins agreed, saying, “It’s stating the obvious.”
Bright Spots for Atlanta
– Bijan Robinson: The rookie running back rushed for 125 yards, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.
– Drake London: He caught three passes for 53 yards, bringing his career total to 219 receptions. London surpassed Calvin Ridley’s 217 catches for the most receptions by a Falcons player in their first three seasons.
– Younghoe Koo: The Falcons kicker connected on two key field goals, helping secure the win.
The defense also played a significant role, with defensive lineman Zach Harrison recording a critical safety and the special teams blocking three Raiders kicks or punts, including a crucial extra-point attempt late in the game.
Raiders’ Last-Gasp Effort
Despite being down 15-3 late in the fourth quarter, the Raiders mounted a comeback attempt. Desmond Ridder, filling in at quarterback, threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Ameer Abdullah with 2:54 left. However, the extra point was blocked—a costly miss that kept the Falcons ahead by six points.
The Raiders got the ball back with a final chance to win, converting a critical fourth-and-8 from their own 34-yard line. Ridder took two shots into the end zone in the closing seconds, but Atlanta’s defense held firm, with Bates III making the game-sealing interception.
“Desmond did a good job throwing it up there,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “It’s a jump-ball situation.”
Looking Ahead
The Falcons’ playoff hopes remain alive as they focus on their remaining games. With favorable matchups and renewed momentum, they have a legitimate shot at making a postseason run. Meanwhile, the Raiders will look to regroup, build for the future, and secure a top draft pick.
The Falcons‘ gritty win proved they can withstand late-game pressure—a quality that could be crucial as the playoff race tightens in the NFC South.
