Falcons’ Special Teams Spark 15-9 Win Against Raiders
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- William D
- December 17, 2024
With a hard-fought 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons ended their four-game losing run and returned to a.500 record.
This win served as a reminder of the Falcons’ tenacity in a low-scoring, defensive contest after they had been through a difficult time. Even if the game wasn’t very glamorous, the Falcons managed to overcome their offensive setbacks and won by relying largely on their defense and special teams.
It is impossible to exaggerate how crucial this win is because it puts Atlanta in the running for the NFC playoffs. The Falcons are still in the running for a postseason berth with three games left.
The fact that Atlanta is now 7-7 and has equaled their win total from the previous three seasons emphasizes how important this victory is in terms of overall progress.
This victory over the Raiders gave the Falcons a much-needed boost as they contend for a postseason berth after a season full of ups and downs.
How the Falcons play the rest of the season will determine how likely they are to make the playoffs. Although defeating the Raiders was a positive step, the performance was by no means dominant.
Regarding quarterback Kirk Cousins, whose difficulties have been a prominent subject in recent weeks, there are still many unanswered questions.
But as they prepare for more difficult games in the latter part of the season, the Falcons showed that they can rely on their defense and special teams to finish the job.
This victory versus the Raiders was significant in the larger scheme of Atlanta’s playoff hopes. Every victory counts for the Falcons because the NFC South is led by the scorching Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They can find solace in the fact that they managed to grind out a win in a game that was dominated by field position and special teams, even though their offensive performance still leaves a lot to be desired. In addition to halting the bleeding, the victory gave the Falcons new hope that they might qualify for the postseason.
Bijan Robinson Is Excellent
With 125 yards on 22 carries, Bijan Robinson was the Atlanta Falcons’ most impressive player during their 15–9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie running back kept up his excellent play, helping to control the clock and regularly accumulating positive yardage.
In a game where the Falcons had trouble finding any rhythm in the passing game, his effort on the ground was crucial. Robinson’s effective ball movement provided Atlanta’s attack with much-needed equilibrium, enabling them to maintain their competitiveness in spite of offensive setbacks.
Robinson’s accomplishment was particularly important in light of the Falcons’ aerial difficulties. Kirk Cousins, the quarterback, had again another poor performance, completing just 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, one score, and one interception.
Robinson’s performance served as the cornerstone of Atlanta’s offense because the passing attack was mainly ineffectual. The Falcons were able to maintain possession and restrict the Raiders’ offensive options thanks to his ability to gain yards on first and second down and create manageable third downs.
It is impossible to overestimate the significance of Robinson’s 125-yard performance since it gave the Falcons the ability to control the game’s pace.
Robinson assisted Atlanta in controlling the time and limiting the number of possessions for the struggling Raiders by establishing the ground game early.
His effectiveness on the ground relieved pressure on the Falcons’ passing game, which struggled to make deep shots and maintain steady drives. In a game that was generally chaotic and in which field position and defense were crucial to winning, Robinson’s hard-fought yards provided Atlanta a sense of security.
Robinson’s rushing game contribution was crucial to the Falcons’ triumph and their postseason aspirations. As the Falcons’ offense struggled to establish itself, Robinson’s ability to move the gears and accumulate yards on a regular basis was crucial.
The Falcons will need more of the same from Robinson in order to be competitive in the latter stages of the season, thus his performance is evidence of the kind of guy they can base their offense on going ahead.
And breathe 😅
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 17, 2024
ESPN | NFL+@jlbiii3 x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/LHDlpopRD5
The Ongoing Challenges of Kirk Cousins
In the Atlanta Falcons’ 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Kirk Cousins’ troubles persisted as he only completed 11 of 17 throws for 112 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Although the Falcons’ special teams and defense were essential in winning, Cousins’ performance was far from ideal.
It is troubling for a quarterback of his quality that he struggled to find any rhythm during the game and had little passing yardage. The Falcons were able to reduce Cousins’ influence on the game and position the offense to rely more on the run game as a result of his continued poor play.
The incapacity of Cousins to successfully push the ball downfield was one of the most obvious problems with his play. Cousins unable to generate any noteworthy gains beyond the first quarter, when he scored his only touchdown on a brief 30-yard ball to wide receiver Drake London.
The fact that he failed to throw a pass on any first down in the first half—the first time in his career that he had been kept so limited—further underscored his difficulties. This strategy effectively forced Cousins into a conservative game plan that mirrored his current difficulties, demonstrating the Falcons’ desire to limit his chances for huge plays.
Another major area of interest was the decision-making of cousins. His terrible decision to throw the interception added to the growing anger surrounding his play. In sharp contrast to the expectations that accompanied his $180 million contract, Cousins has thrown nine interceptions and only one touchdown in the last five games.
By exerting pressure and making him make mistakes, the Falcons were able to capitalize on Cousins’ lack of agility. The Falcons prevented him from posing a serious threat by restricting his passing attempts and making him uncomfortable.
Locked in on the win#ProBowlVote x KhaDarel Hodge pic.twitter.com/v4wQBDqKru
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 17, 2024
In the Atlanta Falcons’ 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, special teams were the hidden heroes, as KhaDarel Hodge had a game-changing effect. The Falcons dominated field position because to two key plays by Hodge: a blocked punt and a tipped punt.
Specifically, the blocked punt was a game-changing play that gave the Falcons superior field position and increased pressure on the faltering Raiders offense.
The Falcons’ narrow triumph was largely due to these special teams performances and Hodge’s unwavering work, which kept the Raiders confined to their own area for the majority of the contest.
Another standout effort came from punter Bradley Pinion, who four times pinned the Raiders inside their 10-yard line, including twice inside their 5. In a low-scoring game where field position was crucial, Pinion’s ability to flip the field was essential.
Because of his accuracy, the Raiders were forced to start from bad positions, which gave the Falcons’ defense the opportunity to take advantage of advantageous circumstances.
Pinion’s contributions were crucial to the Falcons’ ability to keep control of the game and keep the Raiders from establishing any offensive rhythm in such a close contest.
The Falcons also made an impression on defense, as DeAngelo Malone came through with two important sacks. Throughout the game, Malone applied pressure to the quarterback, which helped to impede the Raiders’ offensive momentum.
Additionally, the Raiders’ already weak passing attack was further frustrated when safety Justin Simmons made an interception. Atlanta maintained control despite their own offensive difficulties thanks to their defensive contributions and the special teams plays that prevented the Raiders from gaining any momentum.
The Falcons recording their first safety of the season when Alexander Mattison of the Raiders fumbled the ball and was tackled in the end zone was possibly the game’s most significant moment.
The Falcons gained two vital scores and a 9-3 lead because to this infrequent play, which further put pressure on the Raiders, who were already having trouble moving the ball.
This game was decided by special teams, defense, and field position, and the Falcons took advantage of every chance to win a crucial game for their postseason hopes.
A string of injuries compounded the Las Vegas Raiders’ problems and had a big effect on how they played in the team’s 15-9 loss against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Raiders had to use third-string quarterback Desmond Ridder since neither of their main quarterbacks was available. The offense struggled to find a rhythm during the game as a result of this personnel change.
The Raiders’ prospects of applying pressure to the Falcons’ offense and generating crucial stops when necessary were further diminished by the absence of Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, one of their primary defensive playmakers.
Sincere McCormick, the Raiders’ starting running back, sustained an ankle injury in the second quarter, which further compounded their problems. The Raiders were unable to maintain drives and create any balance in their offense after McCormick’s departure because they were left without a dependable backfield option.
The Raiders were unable to muster any significant offensive plays due to their drastically depleted rushing game, which forced them into predictable throwing scenarios that gave the Falcons’ defense the opportunity to clamp down and control the game.
The Raiders defense was able to put pressure on Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins despite losing important players, recording three sacks during the game. In addition to defensive end Tyree Wilson and defensive tackle Adam Butler, undrafted rookie defensive lineman Jonah Laulu had his first career sack.
Despite the defensive line’s best efforts to contain the Falcons, any defensive stops were effectively nullified due to the lack of offensive assistance, leaving the Raiders’ defense worn out and unable to significantly affect the game’s outcome.
Particularly in a low-scoring game, the Raiders’ errors were costly. Although the Falcons didn’t immediately take advantage of it, running back Alexander Mattison’s blunder on the team’s first drive set the tone for a game full of mistakes.
Running back Ameer Abdullah then made a crucial error when he called for a fair catch inside the Raiders’ 5-yard line on a punt, which resulted in a safety following a defensive stop.
Together with a faltering offense and a defense that was unable to overcome the team’s offensive shortcomings, these costly errors condemned the Raiders to their tenth straight defeat and further exacerbated their problems this season.
The Atlanta Falcons have moved back to a.500 record at 7-7 after defeating the Raiders 15-9, maintaining their hopes of making the playoffs. This victory was significant because it strengthened their standing in the NFC playoff race and ended a four-game losing streak.
The Falcons’ postseason prospects are still very much in the balance going into the season’s last three games, but in order to be competitive in the fiercely tough NFC South, they will need to keep up their momentum and steer clear of more setbacks, particularly offensively.
The Falcons’ offense, under quarterback Kirk Cousins, is still a huge worry, even though their defense and special teams gave them a solid foundation in the victory over the Raiders.
There are significant concerns regarding Atlanta’s offensive stability going forward because to Cousins’ ongoing difficulties, which are exemplified by his 11-of-17 throwing performance with just 112 yards and an interception.
If the Falcons want to stay competitive in the NFC South and have a chance to make the playoffs, they need a lot more from their quarterback position. The club cannot afford to depend only on its defense and special teams to win games in the upcoming weeks since Cousins has been erratic throughout the season.
The Falcons are still in the running for a postseason berth with a 7-7 record, but they need to keep getting better and find consistency in their offensive strategy. Every game becomes crucial as they have three games remaining in their quest to secure a wildcard berth or perhaps contend for the NFC South championship.
The Falcons’ chances of making the playoffs will depend on their capacity to strike a balance between a more effective passing approach and their ground game, which is led by Bijan Robinson. They could still be in the running for a postseason berth if they can improve their offensive play.
But Atlanta’s ability to maintain consistency continues to be their greatest obstacle. They will face more formidable opponents on their path to the playoffs, such as the NFC South’s top-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons must continue to rely on their defense and special teams while improving offensively, especially from Cousins, if they hope to make the playoffs. If they wish to maintain their postseason ambitions and remain competitive in the NFC South division, consistency will be crucial in their remaining games.
With a 2-12 record that ties them with the New York Giants, the Las Vegas Raiders have the lowest record in the NFL and a bleak future. The team’s numerous problems this season have been brought to light by their 10-game losing streak, which culminated in a 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Raiders are in a strong position to obtain a high draft pick with three games left, which will be crucial to their rebuild. To turn things around for the future, the team must make important decisions during this critical offseason.
Securing a high draft pick to lay the groundwork for the future is one of the Raiders’ most urgent needs. The team needs to concentrate on obtaining young players who can contribute right away because their squad has been severely damaged by injuries and poor play, particularly at quarterback.
To assist the Raiders move forward with rebuilding their club, the forthcoming draft will present a chance to select a top-tier player, either a quarterback or a key position player. Making wise choices that position the group for long-term success will be their top priority.
Reevaluating their roster will be a key component of the Raiders’ rebuilding process. Although the squad has shown potential in some areas, especially defense, there is a noticeable need for development at crucial positions, such as running back and quarterback.
The Raiders’ offense has been erratic and predictable since both of their starting quarterbacks have been sidelined by injuries. In order to retool the squad and solve obvious shortcomings, especially at quarterback, a thorough assessment of their present players and potential trades or free-agent acquisitions will be essential going forward.
One of the Raiders’ biggest problems is still the quarterback situation. The organization has to choose between investing in a seasoned quarterback and pursuing a young prospect in the draft because Desmond Ridder is having trouble filling in for injured starters.
A significant contributing element to the team’s difficulties has been the quarterback position’s instability, which the Raiders must confront if they hope to succeed going forward.
To truly secure their future and move up from the bottom of the standings, the Raiders will need to make decisive choices at quarterback, whether they choose to go to the draft or free agency.