Tag: Atlanta Falcons

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NFL (American Football)

Michael Penix Jr. Had An Impressive Debut With Falcons With Dominant Win Over Giants

Michael Penix Jr. (Photo: NFL)

It’s rare for a rookie quarterback to make his first start in late December on a team still competing for a playoff spot, especially when the current starting quarterback has not been injured. However, that’s exactly what occurred with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, rose to the occasion with a solid performance in the Falcons’ dominant 34-7 victory over the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards, with one interception that wasn’t his fault. In the second quarter, he connected with tight end Kyle Pitts near the end zone, but Pitts bobbled the ball, allowing Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott to intercept it.

The Falcons earned 22 first downs, 10 of which came through the air. They were 8-of-14 on third downs and 2-of-4 in the red zone, an area where they had struggled with former starter Kirk Cousins in recent weeks.

“He went out and played almost flawless football and kept the game really clean, allowing us to get a win,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Penix.

Cousins had thrown nine interceptions over his last five games, with only one touchdown pass. The Falcons went 1-4 in those games, including a four-game losing streak that took them from a 6-3 record and first place in the NFC South to fighting for their playoff lives.

Cousins now leads the league with 16 interceptions, and his 12 fumbles are tied for the most in the NFL alongside Baker Mayfield.

Morris announced the decision to start Penix on Tuesday night.

Now, the Falcons are 8-7, still with a chance at the playoffs, though they remain mathematical underdogs. To make it, they’ll need the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who they hold a tiebreaker over, to slip up in their remaining three games.

Michael Penix Jr. (Photo: NFL)

For a rookie quarterback starting in a must-win game, Penix displayed remarkable poise — even though the Giants, with just two wins, provided less of a challenge.

The Falcons’ defense also helped out, scoring 14 points through a pair of pick-sixes. Running back Bijan Robinson rushed for 94 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns.

“I know I’m here for a reason,” Penix said. “I worked extremely hard to get to this position, and I just had to go out there and execute. We executed to get a win today.”

Since Cousins had been the starting quarterback, Penix hadn’t worked extensively with the starting receivers during practice.

The Falcons had to quickly adjust, ramping up their preparation this week. On Wednesday, they conducted a walk-through, during which Penix took all 72 offensive snaps.

“It was a lot of work put in this week, man,” said Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who had five catches for 82 yards. “A lot of work after practice, during practice when we’re not going offense. There are still things we need to improve, but it looked good today.”

When Penix received the call from offensive coordinator Zac Robinson that he would be starting for the rest of the season, he was at Costco, about to enjoy a hot dog.

Penix said he wouldn’t be celebrating his first career victory at Costco, but would instead opt for “something fancier.” However, he’s still hoping for a Costco sponsorship.

“Costco is great,” Penix said. “Costco needs to hit me up.”

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NFL (American Football)

Falcons’ Cousins insists he “didn’t lose his ability to play quarterback” after being replaced by Penix as the starter

Michael Penix Jr. heads back after the game

Kirk Cousins was signed to a big four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons because the team saw him as the key to their playoff hopes.

However, Cousins lost his starting position to rookie Michael Penix Jr. after coach Raheem Morris decided that Cousins’ turnovers were preventing the team from making the playoffs.

Cousins found it tough to hear this from his coach during an unexpected meeting on Tuesday night.

“It’s pro football, and it was a standard that I have for myself and the team has for me,” Cousins said Wednesday. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t playing up to that standard consistently enough.”

Penix, known for staying calm under pressure, was already prepared for the challenge ahead.

“I don’t think anybody’s going to have to say anything for Mike to be calm,” said offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. “I mean, he is about as cool as they come.”

Still, Penix admitted that he would feel nervous when he first takes the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

Kirk Cousins speaks in the news conference

“I was basically thinking about just leading up to it, running out of the tunnel,” Penix said. “I’m not going to lie, I’m going to be nervous running out of the tunnel, but it’s going to be different when I get out on the field. … It’s a flip the switch, I’m going to be ready.”

In the past five games, the Falcons (7-7) went 1-4, and during that stretch, Cousins threw one touchdown pass and nine interceptions. After being in first place in the NFC South at 6-3, the Falcons now need help from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the division.

The Falcons are one game behind the Buccaneers and hold the tiebreaker advantage if they finish tied with them.

Cousins said he would support Penix but quickly responded when asked if he thought he could still be a starter in the NFL.

“I didn’t forget how to play quarterback,” Cousins said. “Certainly turnovers were not what you want, but I didn’t forget how to play.”

Cousins made it clear that his turnovers were not due to health or confidence issues but that he simply needs to make better decisions.

The decision to promote Penix to the starting role was not a quick one. The job now belongs to Penix for the rest of the season.

“I don’t think anything’s ever permanent in the National Football League,” Morris said Wednesday. “But, you know, right now, Mike Penix is our quarterback and we’re going to back him and give him the utmost support he needs as we did Kirk when he was our starter.”

Penix said he was shopping with his girlfriend when he got the call from Morris. He said it wasn’t just about one game.

“They told me I was going to be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season,” Penix said. “… I’m super blessed to be on this team with this opportunity.”

If Cousins, 36, doesn’t start another game for Atlanta, it would be a costly 14-game period for him since he signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.

Morris said Falcons owner Arthur Blank was “extremely supportive,” but the coach acknowledged that benching Cousins has financial consequences. However, Morris said the decision was made with the goal of getting the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons players in the 1st half

“Obviously it definitely has some financial implications for us and how you go about your process,” Morris said. “And that’s definitely one of the deals where we’re always going to make football decisions in order to win the football game. And that’s always going to be first and foremost.”

The Falcons have a short week after their Monday night win at Las Vegas, which ended a four-game losing streak. Cousins threw for 112 yards with his first touchdown pass in five games, but also threw another interception. He leads the NFL with 16 interceptions.

Morris hopes Penix, the No. 8 overall pick from Washington, can help the team in the tight division race.

“We want to play better at quarterback,” Morris said. “And we felt like we got a chance to play a little bit better. And if we can go out there and play better at quarterback, who knows what can happen?”

Morris said that Cousins was disappointed but acted “like a professional” when told about the decision.

“He definitely expressed to me he’s going to be the best No. 2 quarterback in the National Football League,” Morris said.

Penix has played in only two games, completing 3 of 5 passes for 38 yards.

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NFL (American Football)

Falcons choose Penix as their quarterback in a bid to maintain their chances of winning the NFC South title

Michael Penix Jr. works in the 2nd half

Atlanta is still in the race for the NFC South title, despite another rough game from quarterback Kirk Cousins, which led the Falcons to bench him in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons won 15-9 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, bringing their record to 7-7, just one game behind Tampa Bay in the division.

The Falcons have the tiebreaker advantage over the Buccaneers, which led coach Raheem Morris to say after the game, “That’s where you want to be.”

Cousins threw for only 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the win against the Raiders. He shared a disappointed view of his performance, saying, “It’s not where I want to be.”

On Tuesday, Morris announced that Penix will be the starting quarterback for Sunday’s home game against the New York Giants.

“This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game,” Morris said in a statement.

Cousins entered the Las Vegas game without any touchdown passes in his previous four games, and eight interceptions. He broke his touchdown drought with a 30-yard pass to Drake London in the first quarter but couldn’t build on that success and threw his league-leading 16th interception.

Kirk Cousins speaks at the news conference

The Raiders (2-12) have the worst record in the league, tied with the Giants, who will bring a nine-game losing streak to Atlanta. The Falcons will then play Washington (9-5) and close their season at home against Carolina (3-11).

Morris had said last week that he didn’t want to rush Penix, who has only played in two games and didn’t play against the Raiders.

He also noted that keeping Cousins as the starter for 14 games “has nothing to do with non-belief” in Penix.

“But he is a rookie, and we have a plan. We have had a plan from the beginning on how we want to utilize and play our rookie when it’s time,” Morris explained.

Morris mentioned that some coaches put players in too early, which didn’t work out, and he didn’t want to make that mistake.

Cousins, 36, signed a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason, and the Falcons selected Penix with the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft. Morris said the Falcons have always believed Penix is their future starting quarterback.

That future begins now.

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NFL (American Football)

Falcons appoint rookie Michael Penix Jr. as starting quarterback, replacing veteran Kirk Cousins

Michael Penix Jr. heads back after the game

The Atlanta Falcons have decided to make rookie Michael Penix Jr. their starting quarterback and bench veteran Kirk Cousins as they aim for their first playoff appearance since 2017.

Coach Raheem Morris shared this decision in a statement on Tuesday night.

“After review we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback moving forward,” Morris said. “This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”

The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game losing streak with a messy 15-9 victory at Las Vegas on Monday night. Cousins threw for 112 yards with one touchdown—his first TD pass in five games—and one interception. The 36-year-old has thrown nine interceptions in his last five games and leads the NFL with 16 interceptions.

Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason with $100 million guaranteed before selecting Penix No. 8 overall in the NFL draft.

Raheem Morris paces on the sideline in the 1st half

Cousins ended his touchdown drought with a 30-yard scoring pass to Drake London in the first quarter but had few other positive moments against the struggling Raiders.

“It’s not where I want to be,” he said about his performance. “There’s a lot of room for improvement and we’d like to finish a lot stronger here these last three weeks.”

The Falcons made the change about three hours after Morris had told reporters that he wasn’t ready to decide who would start this week.

“We talked about it last night,” Morris said. “You know, there’s no secret. We didn’t play well enough at the quarterback position, and we’ve got to find ways to play better. So, all those things over the course of the week and we’ve got to do whatever is best to win versus the Giants.”

This move comes while the Falcons are still in the hunt for the NFC South title. Atlanta is one game behind the division-leading Tampa Bay, but they hold the tiebreaker advantage.

Penix has only played in two games, completing 3 of 5 passes for 38 yards. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2023, passing for 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for Washington.

Cousins had a strong start to the season, leading the Falcons to a 6-3 record and first place in the division. He has completed 66.9% of his passes, matching his career average for his 13-year career. He has thrown for 3,508 yards but has an unhealthy 18 touchdown passes to 16 interceptions.

Morris admitted that it seemed Cousins’ confidence had been affected by his recent struggles.

Kirk Cousins stretches before the game

“I’m not trying to sugarcoat this thing for him,” Morris said. “He’s not trying to sugarcoat it for himself. … When you go through the stress that we’re going through right now, you’re not going to have that same confidence and the same swagger that you had in the first, two months or three months, whatever it was, of the season.”

Morris had said earlier in the season that Cousins would handle the starting job this year while Penix would prepare to take over at some point in the future. Although Morris had been hesitant to change that plan, he said earlier in the day that he saw no harm in choosing to start Penix.

The first-year coach praised Penix for how he handled his backup role.

“You could never say there’s a downside to turn it over to somebody that you put a lot of investment into, somebody that you brought in here, somebody you’ve done some things with, somebody that’s done nothing but the right thing since they’ve been here,” Morris said.

Morris added he had been “just being really smart and cautious in how we go about our business” by sticking with Cousins during his recent struggles.

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NFL (American Football)

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell will not play against the Falcons, while Desmond Ridder takes the starting role

Aidan O’Connell is taken off the field after an injury

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell did not play in Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, allowing Desmond Ridder to start against his former team.

O’Connell hurt his left knee on December 8 during a game against Tampa Bay.

Ridder played 13 games for the Falcons last season before being traded to Arizona. The Raiders signed him off the Cardinals’ practice squad on October 21.

“Whether it’s against the Falcons — it doesn’t matter who it’s against — any opportunity that I get to go out there and showcase my talents, it’s an exciting time,” Ridder said Wednesday.

Ridder has played as a backup in four games, completing 28 of 44 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions.

Carter Bradley, the son of Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, was Ridder’s backup on Monday night.

Desmond Riddler runs with the ball in the 1st half

O’Connell has faced several setbacks this season, starting in the preseason.

He lost the starting job to Gardner Minshew. Coach Antonio Pierce benched Minshew after five games, but O’Connell broke his thumb in a game against the Los Angeles Rams and missed almost six weeks.

Two games after returning, O’Connell was pushed to the ground by Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.

The injury seemed worse than it was, and O’Connell even participated in a walk-through practice on Wednesday. But he did not practice the following three days.

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NFL (American Football)

Cowboys Struggle with Third Straight Loss, Facing Mounting Pressure and a Bleak Playoff Outlook

Cowboys Struggle with Third Straight Loss, Facing Mounting Pressure and a Bleak Playoff Outlook
Cowboys Struggle with Third Straight Loss, Facing Mounting Pressure and a Bleak Playoff Outlook

The Dallas Cowboys’ season is spiraling downward after a tough 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, marking their third consecutive defeat. With a 3-5 record, they have already matched the number of losses from the previous two seasons. The team’s struggles suggest that this year is unlikely to end the franchise’s long drought without a Super Bowl appearance, which now stands at 29 seasons. The sense of urgency is growing, as every loss pushes them closer to a bleak outcome.

Quarterback Dak Prescott remains hopeful, insisting that a single win could turn things around and restore the team’s confidence. However, his statement may be a plea for help as the Cowboys continue to struggle. As the losses mount, the team’s confidence is eroding, and the pressure is mounting on both players and coaches. All-Pro right guard Zack Martin emphasized the need to get back to work and regain confidence if the Cowboys are to salvage their season.

The Cowboys’ season has been marked by distractions off the field as well. Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott was deactivated for missing team meetings, while cornerback Trevon Diggs recently lashed out at a local reporter after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Meanwhile, owner Jerry Jones publicly criticized his radio show hosts for their tough questions following a humiliating 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on his 82nd birthday. These incidents only add to the drama surrounding the team, compounding the pressure they are facing.

Cowboys Struggle with Third Straight Loss, Facing Mounting Pressure and a Bleak Playoff Outlook
Cowboys Struggle with Third Straight Loss, Facing Mounting Pressure and a Bleak Playoff Outlook

On the field, the Cowboys’ problems have been evident in their sloppy play. Their defense, which was expected to be a strength, struggled to contain the Falcons, despite holding their running game to just 3.3 yards per carry. Their pass defense allowed Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins to throw three touchdowns, including wide-open passes to receivers. The offense also faltered, with costly mistakes such as lining up with only 10 players on one play, and struggling on third and fourth downs, converting just 3-of-13 and 1-of-5, respectively.

Penalties have also been a recurring issue, with the Cowboys committing nine penalties in the game, including pre-snap infractions like false starts and delays of the game. Martin acknowledged that the Cowboys are beating themselves, noting that the margin for error is slim in the competitive NFL. He highlighted the importance of fixing these issues to avoid further damage to their already shaky season.

Despite the bleak outlook, there’s still a sliver of hope for the Cowboys, as owner Jerry Jones pointed to the potential for a turnaround, recalling the 2018 season when the team started 3-5 but rebounded with five straight wins. However, many remain skeptical, as Jones has made similar promises in the past but failed to follow through, especially in terms of roster moves. With important upcoming games against divisional rivals like the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, the Cowboys’ season could get even worse if they fail to make a quick recovery.

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NFL (American Football)

The Falcons edge past the Raiders 15-9, maintaining their position alongside the Buccaneers in the NFC South

Kirk Cousins stretches before the game

Kirk Cousins threw his first touchdown pass in five weeks, and the Atlanta Falcons did just enough on Monday night to beat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders 15-9, staying in the race for the NFC South.

The Raiders tried to make a late comeback, with quarterback Desmond Ridder throwing two desperation passes into the end zone in the final 10 seconds. The first pass was incomplete, and the second was intercepted by Jessie Bates III.

The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game losing streak and stayed one game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Las Vegas (2-12) lost its 10th straight game, the longest active losing streak in the NFL. The Raiders are tied with the New York Giants for the worst record in the league. It’s the fifth-longest losing streak in the team’s history and the worst since they lost 16 games in a row a decade ago.

Cousins had no touchdown passes and eight interceptions in his last four games, which led to questions about whether rookie Michael Penix Jr. would replace him at quarterback. Falcons coach Raheem Morris stuck with Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract this season, instead of the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft.

Cousins didn’t ease concerns about his play, passing for only 112 yards with an interception. His 30-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Drake London with 14 seconds left in the first quarter gave Atlanta a 7-0 lead. It was his first touchdown pass since throwing three in a 27-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys on November 3.

Desmond Riddler runs with the ball in the 1st half

The Falcons got the rest of their points from two field goals by Younghoe Koo and a safety by defensive lineman Zach Harrison.

Bijan Robinson ran for 125 yards, and London caught three passes for 53 yards, making his career total 219 receptions. London passed Calvin Ridley’s 217 catches for the most by a Falcons player in their first three seasons.

Atlanta kept Ridder from hurting its playoff chances. Ridder, who started 13 games for the Falcons last season before being traded to Arizona, struggled most of the night in his first start this season. He filled in for Aidan O’Connell, who was inactive due to a bruised left knee. Ridder threw for 208 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

The injury-plagued Raiders gained just 249 yards and have trailed by double digits in every game this season.

O’Connell wasn’t the only missing player. Defensive end Maxx Crosby announced on Saturday that he would undergo season-ending ankle surgery, and the Raiders were missing about half their starting defense.

Las Vegas also lost running back Sincere McCormick, who had recently become the starter, to an ankle injury early in the second quarter.

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NFL (American Football)

Referee’s Controversial Non-Call on Pass Interference Fuels Debate in Chiefs’ Narrow Win Over Falcons

Referee's Controversial Non-Call on Pass Interference Fuels Debate in Chiefs’ Narrow Win Over Falcons
Referee's Controversial Non-Call on Pass Interference Fuels Debate in Chiefs’ Narrow Win Over Falcons

In Week 3 of the NFL season, a controversial non-call during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons drew significant attention. Late in the fourth quarter of the Sunday Night Football game, the Falcons faced a crucial third-and-five from the Chiefs’ six-yard line. Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins targeted tight end Kyle Pitts with a pass, but Pitts failed to secure the ball. Kansas City safety Bryan Cook made contact with Pitts throughout the play, including a bear hug before the ball arrived, which many believed warranted a pass interference penalty. However, no flag was thrown.

Referee Tra Bale addressed the missed call after the game, explaining that it was a real-time judgment decision made by the officiating crew. In the post-game pool report, Bale stated that from the angle available to the officials at the time, they did not believe a foul occurred. NFL rules do not allow pass interference penalties to be reviewed, leaving the decision entirely to the discretion of the officials on the field. Bale emphasized that such calls are inherently subjective and made at the moment based on the officials’ best judgment.

Referee's Controversial Non-Call on Pass Interference Fuels Debate in Chiefs’ Narrow Win Over Falcons
Referee’s Controversial Non-Call on Pass Interference Fuels Debate in Chiefs’ Narrow Win Over Falcons

Had the penalty been called, the Falcons would have received a first down at the Chiefs’ one-yard line with the opportunity to take the lead. With just under four minutes remaining, Atlanta would likely have attempted a two-point conversion if they scored a touchdown, aiming to go up 25-22. The non-call, however, left the Falcons unable to capitalize, and the Chiefs maintained their five-point lead. Kansas City faced criticism for benefiting from the officials’ decision, while Atlanta’s head coach Raheem Morris declined to comment on the matter during the post-game press conference.

The missed penalty call became a major talking point among fans and analysts, sparking debates about the subjectivity of officiating in critical moments of games. Critics argued that the lack of consistency in penalty calls can significantly impact the outcome of close contests. Others highlighted the challenges faced by referees in making split-second decisions without the benefit of video review for certain infractions. This controversy added to the ongoing discussion about whether the NFL should expand the scope of reviewable plays to include judgment calls like pass interference.

Moving forward, the Chiefs, now 3-0, are set to play the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, while the Falcons will face division rivals, the New Orleans Saints. Both teams will look to move past the controversial finish as they prepare for their respective matchups. However, the non-call will likely remain a sore point for Atlanta and a reminder of the fine margins that can determine the outcome of NFL games.

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NFL (American Football)

The struggling Falcons aim to stay in the NFC South race as they take on the slumping Raiders

Atlanta Falcons players celebrates after the win

With just four games left in the regular season, the playoffs may already be starting for the Falcons, who are struggling at a critical time.

Atlanta is heading into Monday night’s game against Las Vegas with a four-game losing streak, which isn’t as bad as the Raiders’ NFL-worst nine-game skid.

Given how poor the Raiders’ season has been, it’s important for the Falcons to take advantage of this opportunity. They are 6-7 and one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. Since the Falcons won both meetings with the Buccaneers, they hold the tiebreaker advantage.

“There is definitely more (urgency) into this game than in most games,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “We are essentially playing playoff-type football right now. All these games become must-wins except the only thing that’s different right now is you don’t go home.”

The Falcons have a relatively easy schedule ahead, with three of their last four opponents having a combined 7-32 record going into this weekend. Only the Washington Commanders (8-5) have a winning record.

“Definitely feel a sense of urgency,” Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “There’s not much, if any, room for error. We have to control what we can, and that’s the next game.”

Las Vegas Raiders players celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the 2nd half

Coach Morris has been asked multiple times in the last two weeks about the struggles of quarterback Kirk Cousins and whether he might switch to rookie Michael Penix Jr. Morris has said he will stick with Cousins, even though he has thrown eight interceptions and no touchdown passes during the Falcons’ losing streak.

Las Vegas (2-11) has many questions, including whether Aidan O’Connell or Desmond Ridder will start at quarterback. Other uncertainties include coach Antonio Pierce’s job security and the possibility of the Raiders receiving the first overall draft pick.

O’Connell hurt his left knee last weekend against the Bucs, but the injury wasn’t as serious as it seemed at first. If he can’t play, Ridder will face the Raiders, a team for which he started 13 games last season.

Then there’s the question of Pierce’s job. Mark Davis gave a vague answer when asked whether the coach would be kept.

Despite all the struggles the Raiders are facing, they could end up with the No. 1 draft pick and possibly land the franchise quarterback they desperately need.

However, Pierce and his players aren’t focusing on that. They want to finish the season strong, and one way to do that is by trying to spoil the Falcons’ playoff chances.

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NFL (American Football)

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell has returned to practice, but his availability for the Falcons game is still uncertain

Aidan O’Connell throws a pass in the 1st half

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who hurt his left knee in the loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, participated in a walkthrough practice on Wednesday and hopes to play against Atlanta.

Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce, however, wasn’t ready to confirm that O’Connell would start in the Monday night game against the Falcons.

“We’ll see how the week goes,” Pierce said. O’Connell also took a careful approach, even though he didn’t seem to have any trouble walking when he entered the indoor facility and locker room.

“I can obviously walk and move around and just obviously doing some stuff in the water, but trying to get on the field and move around today, which I did,” O’Connell said. “So just trying to progress and trusting the training staff to get me where I want to be.”

If O’Connell can’t play, Desmond Ridder will start against his old team. Ridder started 13 games for the Falcons last season before being traded to Arizona. The Raiders signed him off the Cardinals’ practice squad on October 21.

Antonio Pierce and Gardner Minshew in the 1st half

“Whether it’s against the Falcons — it doesn’t matter who it’s against — any opportunity that I get to go out there and showcase my talents, it’s an exciting time,” Ridder said.

He has had a few chances to play this season. Ridder has appeared in four games as a backup, completing 28 of 44 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown without any interceptions.

Now, he hopes to get his first start of the season. “It’s not like I’ve been sitting for a couple years,” Ridder said. “To be able to go out there in the previous week and have experience, it’s been huge.” O’Connell has faced several setbacks this season, including in the preseason.

He first lost the starting position to Gardner Minshew. Then, after Pierce made a change at quarterback, O’Connell broke his thumb in a game against the Los Angeles Rams and missed nearly six weeks.

After returning to the lineup, two games later, he was slammed to the ground by Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.

“I think you have to be tough in the NFL. I don’t think I’m unique in that way,” O’Connell said. “We’ve got a lot of tough guys. I think it’s funny the quarterback gets hurt and everyone’s talking about it, but we have offensive linemen, defensive linemen, guys that are dealing with things every day and people never talk about it.”

New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons players in the 1st half

At first, it seemed unlikely that O’Connell would be able to play after his injury against the Buccaneers. He was carted off the field with an air cast on his left knee. But an MRI showed a bruised bone, and O’Connell received better news about his injury.

“It definitely hurt on the field and my knee wasn’t responding how the doctors hoped it would,” O’Connell said. “So, yeah, you definitely fear the worst going through that. But then got some imaging done and it seemed like it was definitely best-case scenario.”

To make sure there would be enough healthy quarterbacks for Monday’s game, Las Vegas activated quarterback Carter Bradley from the practice squad on Tuesday. His father, Gus, is the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.

“Dealing with injuries, might as well have three quarterbacks up the way the season’s been going,” Pierce said. “Carter’s done a really good job giving us a look on the practice squad. I think as the season’s gone on, it’s practice, but you have seen improvement.”

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NFL (American Football)

The Falcons are keeping Kirk Cousins as their quarterback and could benefit from an easier upcoming schedule

Kirk Cousins speaks in the news conference

Even though the Atlanta Falcons are going through a four-game losing streak and dealing with the uncertainty caused by quarterback Kirk Cousins’ eight interceptions and no touchdown passes during that time, there is still some hope for the team.

They play in the NFC South.

There is more good news: The Falcons’ next two opponents, the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants, have the worst record in the NFL at 2-11.

Coach Raheem Morris has said he is sticking with Cousins for next Monday night’s game against Las Vegas.

Sunday’s 42-21 loss at Minnesota brought Atlanta’s record to 6-7, putting them one game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker over the Buccaneers, so if they can make the most of their upcoming games, which also include Washington and Carolina, they might still be able to turn their season around.

“We’re right in this thing,” right guard Chris Lindstrom said Monday, though he also admitted he is “obviously not happy or satisfied with where we’re at.”

Kirk Cousins walks off the field in the 2nd half

Lindstrom said he still has “the ultimate belief in what we’re doing and everything that we have going on and everything is still in front of us.”

Cousins and the Falcons need to fix their issues in the red zone if they want to keep their chances of making the playoffs alive. The Falcons rank eighth in the NFL with 371 yards per game but are only 19th in points scored, averaging 21.4 per game, due to their ongoing struggles inside the 20-yard line.

Even with the NFC South being a forgiving division, it can’t make up for the scoring problems caused by penalties, turnovers, and other ongoing mistakes.

“You can’t live with it at all,” Morris said Monday when asked about Cousins’ recent interceptions.

Even so, Cousins will remain the starter, while first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. waits for his chance.

“It’s for sure Kirk is our quarterback, but I have no hesitations about what our young man has been doing and how he has been preparing and the things he is ready to do,” Morris said. “So if that time ever came, I would have a lot of confidence in what Mike is able to do, but Kirk is our quarterback. Kirk is the guy who is going to lead us.”

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NFL (American Football)

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell’s knee injury might not be as severe as it initially appeared

Aidan O’Connell is taken off the field after an injury

Desmond Ridder might not get the chance to play against his former team after all, except by watching the Falcons from the sideline.

When Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted off the field with his left knee in an air cast during Sunday’s 28-13 loss to Tampa Bay, it seemed like he might miss the rest of the season. Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said afterward that O’Connell’s injury didn’t “look good.”

However, the next day brought more hope. Pierce told reporters Monday morning that he didn’t have an update on O’Connell, but ESPN reported the injury was just a bone bruise, and he could be ready to play against Atlanta on Monday night.

If O’Connell is able to return, it would take away Ridder’s chance for a revenge game against the Falcons. Ridder had started 13 games for the Falcons last season before being traded to Arizona. But having O’Connell back on the field is much more important for the Raiders.

O’Connell had just returned to the lineup on Nov. 29 after missing almost six weeks due to a broken thumb. He threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns in Las Vegas’ 19-17 loss to Kansas City, and the expectation was that he would finish the season.

Aidan O’Connell is taken off the field after an injury

However, O’Connell was injured against the Buccaneers. He struggled in that game, throwing for just 104 yards, with an interception and a lost fumble. Pierce had the option of starting Ridder earlier this season, but only made the change when there were no other choices.

If O’Connell needs another week or so to recover, starting Ridder wouldn’t be a problem since the Raiders are on a nine-game losing streak and have little left to play for other than pride and a high draft pick. Ridder has moved the ball at times and has been with the team for nearly two months.

“Oddly enough, he’s played in a lot of games,” Pierce said. “It’s the way the season’s gone for us. But there’s been some bright spots. There were some other spots we wish we had back.

But what we do see is a guy that’s very competitive, that takes his job seriously, and he has an opportunity. If Aidan is not able to go and he’s the starter, it’s another great opportunity for him to showcase himself.”