Kirk Cousins Struggles, Falcons Survive Late Raiders Rally

The Atlanta Falcons finally put an end to their four-game skid, clawing their way to a narrow 15-9 win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. Though they secured the much-needed victory, the performance left much to be desired, as both teams struggled to find any rhythm on offense. Atlanta’s lone touchdown came early, while Las Vegas mounted a late but unsuccessful comeback.

With this win, the Falcons remain one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the tight NFC South race. Despite walking away with the victory, Atlanta’s lackluster offensive display will be a lingering concern as they move forward.

Falcons Score Early But Fail to Pull Away

The Falcons’ offense got off to a rare bright start, taking the lead on their second possession. Kirk Cousins connected with Drake London for a 30-yard touchdown pass, giving Atlanta an early 7-0 advantage. The drive, which covered 51 yards, ended up being the most productive offensive series of the night for the Falcons.

Unfortunately, that was about it for Atlanta’s offense. Kirk Cousins struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with just 11 completions for a dismal 112 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Atlanta’s inability to capitalize on opportunities kept Las Vegas in the game far longer than expected. Even with two clutch field goals from Younghoe Koo, the Falcons failed to deliver a convincing offensive performance.

The defense, however, made up for the offensive shortcomings by taking advantage of a Raiders team that was forced to rely on third-string quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Ridder’s Slow Start Dooms Raiders’ Effort

With starting quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell sidelined, the Raiders turned to Desmond Ridder, and the results were predictably rough. Ridder began the night ice-cold, completing just 9 of his first 20 passes for a mere 65 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception.

The Raiders managed only three points across their first ten possessions, unable to move the ball effectively against Atlanta’s defense. Ridder found some life late in the game, rallying the Raiders with a touchdown drive that ended in a 5-yard pass to Ameer Abdullah. That score brought the game to 15-9 with 2:54 remaining, injecting some drama into an otherwise dreary contest.

On the final possession, Ridder had two Hail Mary chances in the closing seconds, but safety Jessie Bates sealed the win for Atlanta with a game-ending interception.

Ridder’s final stat line read 23 completions on 39 attempts for 208 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. While his late surge offered a glimpse of hope, the early inefficiency proved too costly.

Turning Point: A Costly Penalty Extends Atlanta’s Drive