Atlanta’s Falcone tries to keep up with the NFC South when they visit the struggling Las Vegas Raiders

LAS VEGAS (AP) – There are four games left in the regular season, but the playoffs might as well be underway for the Falcons, who find themselves in a tailspin at the wrong time.

Atlanta takes a four-game losing streak into Monday night’s game in Las Vegas, which pales in comparison to the Raiders’ NFL-worst nine-game skid.

Watch Falcons vs. Raiders as part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader LIVE at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on TSN1/5 and streaming on TSN.ca and the TSN app.

Given the dismal state of the Raiders’ season, it is especially imperative for the Falcons not to miss such an opportunity. They are 6-7 and one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.

Because the Falcons won both meetings, they have the tiebreaker advantage.

“There’s definitely more (urgency) in this game than most games,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “We’re basically playing playoff football right now. All of these games are going to be must-wins, except the only thing that’s different right now is you’re not going home.”

The Falcons have a favorable final stretch, with three of their four opponents combining for a 7-32 record coming 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 is not much, if any, room for error. We have to control what we can and it’s the next game.”

Morris has been asked repeatedly over the past two weeks about the struggles for quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​and whether he might trade for rookie Michael Penix Jr. Morris has vowed to stick with the veteran, who has thrown eight interceptions and no touchdown passes during the Falcons’ skid.

Las Vegas (2-11) enters with a ton of questions, such as whether Aidan O’Connell or Desmond Ridder will start at quarterback. Other uncertainties include coach Antonio Pierce’s job status and the possibility of receiving the first overall draft pick.

O’Connell shattered his left knee last weekend against the Bucs, an injury that looked worse than it turned out to be. If he doesn’t play, Ridder will go against a team he started 13 games for last season.

Then there’s Pierce’s job security. Mark Davis gave a lukewarm response to reporters at Wednesday’s owners meetings about whether the coach would be brought back.

Through all this misery for the Raiders, they could end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft and finally — maybe — land the franchise quarterback they so badly need.

Not that Pierce and his players were thinking that far ahead. They want to finish strong, and one way is to play spoiler against a team chasing a playoff spot.

Root for Knight — after this game

Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said he was rooting for Ridder — but not on Monday. The two were locker room neighbors last season, Bates’ first in Atlanta, when Ridder opened the season as the starter.

“To see him get another opportunity to show what he can do and show this whole league that he’s an NFL quarterback, I’m excited for him,” Bates said Thursday. “But obviously I don’t want him to have his career day on us. I wish him well, but hopefully we can settle down and play Falcons football for all four quarters and continue to move forward with this season. “

Ridder played in 15 games for the Falcons last season and threw 12 touchdown passes with 12 interceptions before losing his job.

Preparation for Bijan

Falcons sophomore running back Bijan Robinson needs just 23 rushing yards to reach 1,000. Alvin Kamara and Jahmyr Gibbs are the only other players to rank in the top 10 among NFL running backs in both rushing and receiving.

Pierce said he would “use all 11 Raiders” to tackle Robinson.

“I don’t like to see him,” Pierce said. “I wish they’d put the other one back in. He’s a really good player. I’ve seen him since high school, college. Dynamic player. Reminds me (of) when I played Reggie Bush.”

Bad bid for Bijan

Another Texas loss to Georgia in last week’s Southeastern Conference championship game meant another lost bet for Robinson, the former Longhorns star. Once again, he bet tight end Charlie Woerner that Texas would beat the Bulldogs. Once again, Robinson had to wear a red Georgia shirt for an entire day as he made his weekly rounds in front of reporters.

“Terrible,” Robinson said of the shirt.

Robinson was disappointed because he planned for Woerner to wear a horn hat like the Longhorns’ mascot, Bevo.

“I had this whole plan,” Robinson said, shaking his head.

Finding your place

Raiders defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson had trouble finding his place after the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him 20th overall in 2020.

Even in Las Vegas, he was more of an afterthought until injuries presented an opportunity.

Chaisson capitalized with two sacks over the past two weeks and an acrobatic interception against the Bucs that he tipped to himself.

“I think he’s done a really good job of understanding his role,” Pierce said. “I think that role grows more and more as he makes plays and gets more comfortable in the scheme and working with our front four.”

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AP Sports Writer Charles Odum in Flowery Branch, Ga., contributed to this report.

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