On Monday night, two games will take place, one of which features a matchup at Allegiant Stadium. The Atlanta Falcons (6-7; 5-8-0 ATS) will face the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11; 5-8-0 ATS) for the first time since 2020. The kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST and carries weight for playoff spots and the NFL draft positioning. One team will finally put an end to its losing streak. Who will claim this long-awaited victory?
Read on for a detailed prediction on the Falcons vs. Raiders game.
Atlanta Falcons Are in Desperate Need of a Victory
The Falcons faced a tough loss last Sunday, succumbing to the Buccaneers 42-21. This defeat marked their fourth consecutive loss, placing them behind the Bucs in the NFC South standings. While a tie at the top of the division could still result in a playoff spot, it hinges on Atlanta winning upcoming games. A silver lining from last week was that the Falcons scored over 20 points for the first time during this losing streak. Despite ranking seventh in yards per game, they sit at 19th in scoring, largely due to issues with ball security, as they have one of the highest turnover rates in the league.Kirk Cousins is fourth in passing yards per game and eighth in yards per attempt but leads the league in interceptions and fumbles. Bijan Robinson, the standout running back, is seventh in rushing yards and is poised to surpass the 1,000-yard mark this week. The offensive line has been under pressure, allowing 26 sacks (11th) this season. While advancing the ball isn’t their problem, they need to maintain possession.
Defensively, the Falcons have struggled significantly. They currently rank 25th in scoring defense and 23rd in total yards allowed. Atlanta’s defense gives up 5.6 yards per play, placing them at 25th in the league. They have the fewest sacks in the NFL and also struggle with turnovers, ranking among the bottom teams in takeaways. Their road games are particularly troubling, with the Falcons allowing an average of 27.8 points per game away from home. They need to find a way to contain the Raiders during this matchup.
Key Injuries – Robert Burns (out); Zach Harrison (questionable); Casey Washington (out); Troy Andersen (out)
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Las Vegas Raiders Focused on Future Prospects
The Raiders faced a setback against the Buccaneers last week, losing 28-13 and extending their losing streak to nine games. Surprisingly, these losses have positioned Las Vegas for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, courtesy of a strength of schedule tiebreaker. The offense has seen action from three different starting quarterbacks throughout the season, and despite the struggles, rookie sensation Brock Bowers has emerged as a key player, showcasing a promising rookie season. However, the Raiders are still averaging only 18.2 points per game (27th) and 4.9 yards per play (28th). They rank 25th in yards per pass attempt and are the least effective rushing team in the league, having allowed 43 sacks (28th) and leading the league in turnovers.They will need to capitalize on the Falcons’ defensive weaknesses to find success in this game.
On the defensive side, Las Vegas has its own challenges. The team is 30th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 27.8 points per game, and they have the fewest takeaways in the league with only eight. Nevertheless, there are some bright spots; the Raiders limit opponents to 5.4 yards per play (12th) and rank 16th in yards per carry and 15th in yards per pass attempt. Their ability to pressure quarterbacks has been aided by Maxx Crosby, who has recorded 7.5 sacks, contributing to the team’s total of 29 sacks (22nd). The question remains: can they secure a rare victory in this matchup?
Key Injuries – Aidan O’Connell (questionable); Maxx Crosby (out); Sam Webb (doubtful)
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