Falcons snap 4-game losing streak in much-needed win over Raiders

The Atlanta Falcons put an end to their losing streak with a hard-fought 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. This win was crucial for the Falcons as they improved to 7-7 on the season, staying competitive in the tight NFC South race. On the other hand, the Raiders continued to struggle, falling to 2-12.

Despite not being the most aesthetically pleasing win, the Falcons will take it as they head into the final stretch of the season with three games remaining. Quarterback Kirk Cousins finally broke his touchdown drought, connecting with Drake London for a 30-yard score. This was a significant moment for Cousins, who had been plagued by interceptions in recent games.

The Falcons’ offense struggled to find the end zone throughout the game, settling for field goals from kicker Younghoe Koo. However, their defense stepped up, putting pressure on Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder, who was making the start in place of the injured Aidan O’Connell. The Falcons’ defense stifled the Raiders’ running game and forced Ridder into multiple turnovers, including an interception and a fumble.

The game came down to the wire, with the Raiders needing a touchdown and extra point to win on the final play. However, Ridder’s Hail Mary attempts fell short, and Falcons safety Jessie Bates III sealed the victory with an interception.

Cousins had a modest performance, completing 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. The Falcons’ ground game was the key to their success, with Bijan Robinson rushing for 125 yards and Tyler Allgeier adding 43 yards.

For the Raiders, Ridder struggled against the Falcons’ defense, throwing for 208 yards on 23-of-38 passing. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers led the team with 59 receiving yards, while Ameer Abdullah scored the lone touchdown and added 58 receiving yards.

Overall, the Falcons’ victory was a much-needed boost as they look to stay competitive in the playoff race. The Raiders will need to regroup and find ways to turn their season around. It was a gritty win for Atlanta, and they will look to build on this momentum in the remaining games of the season.