Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) was caught from behind by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Monday Night Football Dec 16, 2024 (Las Vegas Raiders X photo)

By Michael Roberson

LAS VEGAS, NV — The Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) lost their 10th straight game after a 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (7-7) on a cool night in Sin City.

Las Vegas was in trouble immediately, after they fumbled on their opening drive. Atlanta took that gift and eventually capitalized on it with a 30-yard touchdown pass by Kirk Cousins to Drake London, with :14 left in the first quarter. After 15 minutes of play, the Dirty Birds led 7-0 inside Allegiant Stadium.

In the second quarter, the home team finally got off the snide and converted a field Goal. Daniel Carson booted it from 52 yards away. However, they would give another two points on a Safety. Alexander Mattison, who also fumbled in the first quarter, was tackled in his own end zone. Atlanta led by six points at that point in the game.

At the half, the Raiders trailed by six, 9-3. At that juncture of the game, it was uncertain if the Raiders would score any more points in the second 30 minutes of the contest.

In the third quarter, the Raiders intercepted Cousins, and seemingly had momentum on their side. Unfortunately for them, that turned into a punt blocked by Atlanta, and another score by them.

Kicker Younghoe Koo kicked a 40-yarder to put the Falcons up by nine, 12-3. That margin lasted to the end of the quarter. Going into the final quarter, Atlanta was seemingly in total control, but there was 15 minutes left in the battle.

The fourth stanza had Koo making another FG (48), and putting his Falcons up by 12, 15-3. The Raiders did respond and showed the Silver and Black Pride around 10 minutes later on the scoreboard. From that dire scenario they had at intermission, they did find a way to get into the endzone.

QB Desmond Ridder tossed a 5-yard TD pass to running back Ameer Abdullah. Daniel Carlson missed the PAT, so the Raiders had to settle for six. That was also their deficit, 15-9.

The last few minutes of the game ticked away, and the Falcons were the victors, but that is not the story. The Raiders actually put themselves in a position to win the game after all. Desmond Ridder hurled two hail marys that worked for other teams this season, but not the streaking Raiders. Being down by six at that point, a touchdown could have won it. That was not as certain, since Carlson did miss an earlier PAT.

“Disappointing, I wish we could have a better result, we’ll keep fighting, getting ready for next week.” Stated Raiders HC Antonio Pierce after another close loss.

The Raiders are next in action Sunday, December 22, as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1:25 PDT on CBS. The Falcons fly back to Atlanta to host the New York Giants the same date on FOX at 1:00 PM EST