Tag: falcons vs raiders

Raheem Morris on Falcons’ win, Kirk Cousins’ struggles

Raheem Morris discusses Falcons’ win, Kirk Cousins’ struggles vs. Raiders

The Atlanta Falcons’ 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders wasn’t pretty, but it snapped a four-game losing streak and kept their playoff hopes alive in the NFC.

The team leaned heavily on the running game, with Bijan Robinson rushing for 125 yards on 22 carries. Atlanta’s special teams units dominated, blocking two punts and one extra point.

Kirk Cousins completed 11 attempts of 17 pass attempts for 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The veteran quarterback came out hot but cooled off considerably in the second half.

The Falcons might have blown out the Raiders had Cousins played better but many of his poor habits returned. Head coach Raheem Morris was asked to assess Cousins’ play during his postgame press conference.

“He’s got to play better,” Morris said of Cousins. “He wants to play better. He’s got to play better. We’ve got to find a way to get him to play better. Obviously, we’ll get to work tomorrow and that’s a part of our process, right? You go and look at the tape, you review with the people it needs to be reviewed with. We’ll get all the coordinators in the room. We’ll talk with everybody and we’ve got to play better at the quarterback position.”

Morris complimented the special teams and defensive units. Ultimately, he was just happy to get a win.

“Our special teams was hot,” said Morris. “They were blocking punts. We were playing really well on defense. They were not able to move the ball on us… You gain confidence through getting wins and I think that’s what our guys did today.”

The Falcons are now 7-7 on the season and a half-game back in the NFC South standings. In Week 16, they will host the 2-12 New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

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Kirk Cousins assesses performance in Falcons’ win over Raiders

Kirk Cousins on his performance in Falcons’ win over Raiders: “You know, it’s not where I want to be”

The Atlanta Falcons got a much-needed win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night to end a four-game losing streak. Despite a fourth-quarter surge led by Desmond Ridder, the Falcons did just enough to escape with a 15-9 victory.

Kirk Cousins ended his four-game touchdown drought in the first quarter but did little else for the rest of the game. He finished with 112 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Cousins shared his thoughts on the win during a postgame interview with ESPN.

“It just takes one to get the ball rolling,” said Cousins. “It was hard fought. It’s always tough to go on the road in this league and win. The Raiders difference did a nice job against us. Patrick Graham did a nice job changing up the looks all game long, but just found a way to win, somehow some way.”

When asked to assess his performance in Monday’s win, Cousins didn’t seem overly pleased.

“You know, it’s not where I want to be. So, there’s a lot of room for improvement and we’d like to finish a lot stronger here these last three weeks.”

Falcons fans are getting antsy to see rookie Michael Penix Jr. but it seems unlikely to happen this week. Head coach Raheem Morris.

“He wants to play better,” said Morris. “He has got to play better. We’ve got to find a way to get him to play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position.”

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Watch: Falcons intercept Desmond Ridder twice in fourth quarter

WATCH: Falcons intercept Raiders QB Desmond Ridder twice in fourth quarter of Monday night win

The Atlanta Falcons nearly blew Monday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders but the team’s dynamic safety duo came up big in the fourth quarter. Justin Simmons intercepted Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder with nine minutes left.

Ridder bounced back, though, throwing a touchdown and nearly completing the comeback before Jessie Bates picked him off in the end zone on the game’s final play. Check out both interceptions below, as shared by the team’s social media account.

Justin Simmons intercepts Desmond Ridder

 

Jessie Bates intercepts Desmond Ridder

The Falcons improved to 7-7 following Monday night’s win over the Raiders. They will take on the New York Giants in Atlanta in Week 16.

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Falcons vs Raiders: Best photos from ‘Monday Night Football’

Falcons vs Raiders: Looking at the best photos from Monday Night Football matchup in Las Vegas

The Atlanta Falcons are attempting to end their four-game losing streak against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15. As quarterback Kirk Cousins fights to keep his starting job, there’s a familiar face in at QB for the Raiders.

Former Falcons third-round pick Desmond Ridder is making his first start of the season against his former team. Can Cousins and the Falcons rebound or will Ridder get his revenge against Atlanta?

Check out the best photos from Monday’s prime-time showdown in Las Vegas below:

Falcons vs Raiders: Teams list inactives for Week 15

Falcons release inactives list for Monday Night’s game against the Raiders

The Atlanta Falcons have released their inactives list for Monday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Five players, including linebacker Rashaan Evans and rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, have been ruled out for Week 15.

Wide receiver Casey Washington and running back Carlos Washington are also inactive for tonight’s game. The Raiders have ruled out Aidan O’Connell, meaning former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder will get the start.

Falcons Week 15 inactives list:

  1. DL Brandon Dorlus
  2. WR Casey Washington
  3. LB Rashaan Evans
  4. OL Elijah Wilkinson
  5. OL Brandon Parker

Raiders Week 15 inactives list

  1. DE Maxx Crosby
  2. QB Aidan O’Connell
  3. DE Charles Snowden
  4. CB Sam Webb
  5. OL Andrus Peat

Kickoff for tonight’s game is at 8:30 p.m. ET inside Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. Despite losing four straight games, the Falcons are 4.5-point favorites over the Raiders.

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Falcons announce multiple roster moves ahead of Raiders game

Falcons announce multiple roster moves ahead of “Monday Night Football” matchup vs. Raiders

The Atlanta Falcons will face the Las Vegas Raiders in the final game of Week 15. The team announced multiple roster moves ahead of Monday’s prime-time matchup on ESPN.

Rookie defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro has officially been activated from the injured reserve list. Orhorhoro, who missed the last five games due to an ankle injury, will take linebacker Troy Andersen’s place on the 53-man roster.

Andersen has been placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury. The Falcons will look to Nate Landman and JD Bertrand to fill in at linebacker for the remainder of the season.

Atlanta signed kicker Tanner Brown to the practice squad, filling the vacancy left by kick returner Jakeem Grant. The team also promoted linebacker Josh Woods from the practice squad for Week 15.

Woods can provide extra depth for the Falcons’ Monday night game against the Raiders. The 28-year-old has appeared in 67 games with eight starts over the last six seasons. For his career, Woods has recorded 122 tackles (76 solo) with one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three QB hits.

Check out the Falcons’ updated 53-man roster and practice squad for Week 15. Monday’s game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Ex-Falcons QB Desmond Ridder expected to start vs. Atlanta

Ex-Falcons QB Desmond Ridder expected to start for Raiders on Monday Night Football

The Atlanta Falcons have gone through several quarterbacks since trading Matt Ryan away in 2022. Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder each struck out as Ryan’s replacement and were eventually traded or released by the team.

Ridder may get a chance to exact some revenge against the Falcons in Week 15. The Las Vegas Raiders have listed starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell as questionable for tonight’s prime-time matchup on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.”

According to a report from Adam Schefter, O’Connell is not expected to play. If this is true, Ridder will get the start against his former team.

Ridder has played in four games this season, passing 239 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. However, this would be his first start since Week 18 of the 2023 season when the Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints.

Atlanta originally drafted Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Cincinnati. The 25-year-old appeared in 15 games (13 starts) before getting traded to the Arizona Cardinals over the offseason.

The Falcons replaced Ridder with free agent Kirk Cousins in March. While the team initially succeeded with Cousins to begin the 2024 season, the veteran QB has hit a rough patch over the last four weeks.

Cousins has not thrown a touchdown during the Falcons’ four-game losing streak and many fans are ready to bring in rookie Michael Penix Jr.

Despite these calls for a chance, head coach Raheem Morris isn’t ready to make a move and the team will stick with Cousins for Monday night’s game against in Las Vegas.

If Cousins can’t outplay Ridder on national television, Morris may need to take a hard look at playing Penix for the rest of the season.

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Falcons won’t face Las Vegas Raiders’ best player in Week 15

Raiders DE Maxx Crosby ruled OUT vs. Falcons, QB Aidan O’Connell questionable

The Atlanta Falcons need all the help they can get after losing their last four games, and it appears they’ve caught a major break ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

On Saturday, the Raiders ruled out star defensive end Max Crosby on their final injury report for Week 15. It was later reported that Crosby would have season-ending surgery on his ankle. 

The 27-year-old is one of the NFL’s truly elite pass rushers, racking up 59.5 sacks since 2019. Crosby confirmed that he was having surgery on his Instagram account.

The Raiders aren’t just banged up on defense, they may also be without starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell. The second-year QB missed all three days of practice and was listed as questionable for Monday night’s game in Las Vegas. 

If O’Connell can’t play (which seems likely), former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is the next man up for the Raiders. Ridder has appeared in four games but this would be his first start.

With Kirk Cousins struggling, Ridder has the chance to get some payback against his former team on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” Cousins and the Falcons desperately need a win to snap their four-game losing streak.

Check out the team’s latest injury report and depth chart entering Week 15.

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Falcons injury report: Latest on Darnell Mooney, Zach Harrison

Falcons injury report: Friday updates on WR Darnell Mooney, DE Zach Harrison

The Atlanta Falcons have slightly altered their practice schedule leading up to Monday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. On Friday, the team held its second practice of Week 15 and received some good news regarding Darnell Mooney.

The Falcons listed Mooney (foot) as a full participant on Friday’s injury report. The veteran wide receiver was limited on Thursday but appears to be trending in the right direction as we get closer to Monday’s game.

Linebacker Troy Andersen and wide receiver Casey Washington did not participate on Friday. Andersen is dealing with a knee injury and Washington is recovering from a concussion.

Defensive lineman Zach Harrison was limited for the second day in a row due to an Achilles injury. The Falcons also limited guard Chris Lindstrom and linebacker Nate Landman for rest.

Falcons injury report: Friday updates

Player Injury Thu Fri Sat Status
Darnell Mooney Foot LP FP
Jessie Bates Shoulder FP FP
Charlie Woerner Wrist FP FP
Zach Harrison Achilles LP LP
Matthew Judon Rest LP   —
Ruke Orhorhoro Ankle LP LP
Troy Andersen Knee DNP DNP
Casey Washington Concussion DNP DNP
Nate Landman Rest   — LP
Chris Lindstrom Rest   — LP

Latest injury update on Darnell Mooney

Mooney’s status doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. The wide receiver was limited with a foot injury on Thursday but returned as a full participant at Friday’s practice.

Latest injury update on Troy Andersen

Andersen has missed the last two days of practice due to a knee injury. The linebacker’s status doesn’t look promising for Week 15. If Andersen can’t play, the Falcons will look to Nate Landman against the Raiders.

New Falcons 4-round mock draft

In our first mock draft of the season, the Falcons bolster their defense with an edge rusher, cornerback and defensive lineman. Click HERE to read our complete 2025 NFL mock draft.

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Raheem Morris gives honest answer on importance of Raiders game

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris gives honest answer on the importance of Raiders matchup

The Atlanta Falcons haven’t won a game since their Week 9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, the team has lost four games in a row and dropped to second place in the NFC South.

If the Falcons can’t turn things around soon, they will likely miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. In Week 15, Atlanta will face the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night football.

Head coach Raheem Morris knows how badly this team needs a victory. During his Thursday afternoon press conference, he was asked if Monday’s matchup in Las Vegas was a must-win game.

“I’d be lying to you if I said no,” answered Morris. “We’re essentially playing playoff football right now.”

According to Pro Football Network’s playoff predictor,  the Falcons currently have a 27 percent chance of making the postseason with four games remaining.

Three of Atlanta’s final four games are against teams with losing records. The Raiders, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers have a combined record of 7-33.

The Falcons may need to run the table to make the playoffs, but they can’t overlook Las Vegas. Check out our score predictions for the final four games on Atlanta’s schedule.

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