The Las Vegas Raiders can finish their nine-game shedding streak in opposition to a slumping Atlanta Falcons workforce who’ve misplaced 4 straight themselves. After shedding to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers final week, the Raiders might play an enormous position within the NFC South race as a Falcons loss will make it very tough for them to take that division.
The massive query for the Raiders is who shall be below heart as Aidan O’Connell is coping with a bone bruise in his knee and didn’t observe on Thursday or Friday. If he’s unable to go, Desmond Ridder will make his first begin of the season, which might be poetic as he can be dealing with his outdated workforce that drafted him again in 2022.
Whether or not it’s O’Connell or Ridder, the purpose stays the identical, and that’s to get the ball to Brock Bowers. The rookie tight finish has been completely stellar this season however is definitely coming off a median sport by his requirements, with simply three catches for 49 yards in opposition to the Bucs, so he’s in line for a bounce-back sport. Jakobi Meyers has additionally come on robust these days and given the Raiders one other dependable goal by way of the air, whereas the Falcons have been fairly weak all yr lengthy.
What has been nice to see from the Raiders offense has been the emergence of a run sport with Honest McCormick. Even with the return of Alexander Mattison, McCormick will stay the starter within the backfield and is coming off a powerful pair of video games during which he averaged over 5 yards per carry in every.
Defensively, the main focus have to be on containing operating again Bijan Robinson, who ranks fourth within the NFL in yards from scrimmage. He’s a menace on the bottom and thru the air, and the Falcons will combine up how they use him, so the Raiders have to be conscious always.
There are different weapons to be accounted for as effectively, with each Drake London and Darnell Mooney practically receiving 1,000 yards, to not point out Tyler Allegier, who will spell Robinson and is greater than able to reeling off large runs as effectively.
Maxx Crosby has missed observe time with an ankle concern and has now been dominated out for the remainder of the season, with surgical procedure wanted. Adam Butler is coping with a concussion, too, however being with out him can be a tough loss for the inside of the Raider’s protection.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins has gone 4 straight video games with no landing, throwing eight interceptions over that very same timeframe. For sure if the Raiders can apply slightly strain and hold him on that downward spiral, the highway is there for this workforce to select up a victory and finish this shedding streak lastly.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
5:30 p.m. PT, Monday, December 16, 2024Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NevadaTV: ESPN
