The Atlanta Falcons left Las Vegas with a tense 15-9 victory over the Raiders, snapping their four-game losing streak but leaving fans questioning the effectiveness of their quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Despite picking up his first passing touchdown since November 3, Cousins had only 112 passing yards, along with one touchdown and one interception, leading to frustration among the Atlanta faithful.
Atlanta's offensive performance was lackluster overall. Aside from Cousins' first-quarter touchdown, all their points were scored via field goals and a safety. While the Falcons' defense held their ground against one of the NFL's weaker offenses, the inadequacies of their own offense became glaringly apparent, especially considering they faced the Raiders, who were starting their third quarterback of the season.
"It’s stating the obvious, and every week you kind of go through your process and you plan to go out there and play the very best you can," Cousins remarked postgame, acknowledging his struggles on the field. Head coach Raheem Morris echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for Cousins to improve his gameplay saying, "He’s got to play worse and obviously, you got to go back, you got to get to look at everything." This sentiment has started to spark conversations among fans about whether rookie quarterback Micheal Penix should take over under center.
On the other side, the Raiders' fans seemed more inclined to embrace the loss, as their team now focuses on improving their draft positioning. The Raiders are now tied for the worst record at 2-12, as the team continues to lose ground after their 10th consecutive defeat. Quarterback Desmond Ridder, now helming the offense as the starter, struggled to capitalize on his opportunities, finishing with 208 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Desmond Ridder, who previously played for the Falcons, expressed mixed feelings about facing his former team, stating, "We were never able to find a rhythm until late in the game." He did lead the Raiders to their only touchdown with just under three minutes left, but it was insufficient for victory.
Despite the lack of offensive fireworks, the game witnessed some key moments, including a controversial roughing-the-passer call against Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane, which allowed the Falcons to waste some valuable clock time late in the game. That penalty transformed what could have been the Raiders’ chance to regain possession.
Throughout the night, the Falcons failed to capitalize on their superior field position, which led to frustrations. They found themselves with several opportunities to build their lead but often settled for field goals. A blocked punt and their defense kept them afloat, highlighting their reliance on the defense to secure the win. With the offensive struggles evident, there’s little surprise as to why many critics are questioning Cousins' position as the starting quarterback.
Following the victory, Falcons’ fans remain cautiously optimistic about their team’s playoff chances. With their record now improved to 7-7, they need to win their remaining games against the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers to have any chance at making the playoffs. Should they fail to secure wins against these weaker teams, another postseason absence will mark six consecutive years.
Next Sunday, the Falcons will host the struggling Giants, offering them another opportunity to build some momentum as they attempt to solidify their playoff hopes. Morris commented on the upcoming importance of their remaining games: "That’s where you want to be, and that's exactly where we’re at.”
The Raiders have their work cut out for them as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars next week. With every game culminating as significant for draft positioning, the Raiders' current roster will need to step up to change their fortunes. After yet another season filled with inconsistencies and disappointing performances, the team may be heading for another major overhaul this offseason.
Cousins’ performance and the future of the quarterback position will be at the forefront of discussions as the season progresses. For now, though, the Falcons should relish their narrow victory and look to improve their performance as they move forward. The choice remains between solidifying Cousins’ position or allowing rookie Micheal Penix to finally take the lead on the field.