Kirk Cousins threw his first landing go in 5 weeks and the Atlanta Falcons did simply sufficient Monday evening to beat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 and keep forward within the NFC South race.
Trying to make a late comeback, Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder threw two desperation passes into the tip zone within the last 10 seconds. The first one was incomplete and the second was intercepted by Jessie Bates III.
The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game dropping streak by remaining one recreation behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Las Vegas (2-12) misplaced its tenth straight recreation, the NFL’s longest energetic skid, and is tied with the New York Giants for the league’s worst report. It’s the fifth-longest slide in Raiders historical past, and the worst since they dropped 16 in a row a decade in the past.
Cousins entered with no landing passes and eight interceptions in his earlier 4 begins, elevating questions on whether or not rookie Michael Penix Jr. would take over at quarterback. Falcons coach Raheem Morris was held up by Cousins - who signed a four-year, $180 million contract this yr – with the eighth total decide within the NFL Draft.
Cousins did little to allay considerations about his play, passing for simply 112 yards with one interception. His 30-yard go to a wide-open Drake London with 14 seconds left within the first quarter that put Atlanta forward 7-0 was his first landing throw since throwing three on Nov. 3 in a 27-21 victory in regards to the Dallas Cowboys. .
The Falcons bought the remainder of their scoring thanks to 2 subject targets by Younghoe Koo and a security by defensive lineman Zach Harrison.
Bijan Robinson ran for 125 yards and London caught three passes for 53 yards, giving him 219 profession receptions. London surpassed Calvin Ridley’s 217 receptions for many in Falcons historical past in a participant’s first three seasons.
Atlanta prevented Ridder from making a dent in its playoff plans. Ridder, who began 13 video games for the Falcons final season earlier than being traded to Arizona, was hampered a lot of the evening in his first begin this season. Replacing Aidan O’Connell, who was inactive on account of a bruised left knee, Ridder handed for 208 yards with one landing and two interceptions.
The injury-plagued Raiders have gained simply 249 yards and have trailed in double figures in all 14 video games this season.
O’Connell wasn’t the one participant lacking. Defensive finish Maxx Crosby introduced Saturday that he would bear season-ending ankle surgical procedure. Las Vegas additionally misplaced operating again Sincere McCormick, who had just lately change into a starter, to an ankle harm early within the second quarter.
Next
Falcons: Host the New York Giants on Sunday.
Raiders: Host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Associated Press reporting.
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