The Las Vegas Raiders can end their nine-game losing streak against a slumping Atlanta Falcons team who have lost four straight themselves. After losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, the Raiders could play a huge role in the NFC South race as a Falcons loss will make it very difficult for them to take that division.
The big question for the Raiders is who will be under center as Aidan O’Connell is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee and didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday. If he is unable to go, Desmond Ridder will make his first start of the season, which would be poetic as he would be facing his old team that drafted him back in 2022.
Whether it is O’Connell or Ridder, the goal remains the same, and that is to get the ball to Brock Bowers. The rookie tight end has been absolutely stellar this season but is actually coming off an average game by his standards, with just three catches for 49 yards against the Bucs, so he is in line for a bounce-back game. Jakobi Meyers has also come on strong lately and given the Raiders another reliable target through the air, whereas the Falcons have been pretty weak all year long.
What has been great to see from the Raiders offense has been the emergence of a run game with Sincere McCormick. Even with the return of Alexander Mattison, McCormick will remain the starter in the backfield and is coming off a strong pair of games in which he averaged over five yards per carry in each.
Defensively, the focus must be on containing running back Bijan Robinson, who ranks fourth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. He is a threat on the ground and through the air, and the Falcons will mix up how they use him, so the Raiders must be aware at all times.
There are other weapons to be accounted for as well, with both Drake London and Darnell Mooney nearly receiving 1,000 yards, not to mention Tyler Allegier, who will spell Robinson and is more than capable of reeling off big runs as well.
Maxx Crosby has missed practice time with an ankle issue and has now been ruled out for the rest of the season, with surgery needed. Adam Butler is dealing with a concussion, too, but being without him would be a rough loss for the interior of the Raider’s defense.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins has gone four straight games without a touchdown, throwing eight interceptions over that same timeframe. Needless to say if the Raiders can apply a little pressure and keep him on that downward spiral, the road is there for this team to pick up a victory and end this losing streak finally.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
5:30 p.m. PT, Monday, December 16, 2024
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: ESPN