Atlanta @ Las Vegas preview
Allegiant Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2020 ) Las Vegas 6, Atlanta 43
Kirk Cousins' performances are spiraling downward, and so are the Atlanta Falcons' playoff hopes.
The Falcons badly need a bounce-back effort from the veteran quarterback on Monday night when they visit the Las Vegas Raiders.
Atlanta (6-7) has lost four straight games to fall into second place in the NFC South behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6).
Cousins has been a major factor in the skid, throwing eight interceptions without a touchdown. Six of the picks have come in the past two games.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Thursday he has faith in the 36-year-old quarterback.
"You've got to believe and you've got to have the resolve to be able to stick and stay steady-handed by a guy that you believe in," Morris said. "I don't want to be like some organizations who make harsh decisions or critical decisions on your critical decision makers when they fail you or they make mistakes. I just feel like it's our job and my job to back (Cousins) at the highest level."
Cousins was intercepted seven times in the first nine games this season before the recent slump. He threw four touchdown passes on two occasions and tossed three another time as the Falcons ran out to a 6-3 start.
Then the caliber of his play dropped; Atlanta is averaging just 14.3 points during the four-game losing streak.
That has led to calls for the Falcons to turn to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 overall choice in this year's draft.
It also is causing Cousins to study everything to see what he can do differently as he looks to lead Atlanta to its sixth straight head-to-head victory over the Raiders.
"You certainly have a process that's worked and has enabled you to play well, so you trust it," Cousins said. "I think it'd be foolish, though, to just blindly stick to something even when there's clearly a fundamental you need to improve on."
Meanwhile, the Raiders (2-11) are hoping quarterback Aidan O'Connell will make a swift recovery to play against Atlanta.
O'Connell left Las Vegas' 28-13 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee.
He was one of four Raiders to miss practice on Thursday, but he was taking an optimistic approach about playing Monday night.
"Yeah, I'm hoping to get there," O'Connell said Thursday. "Obviously, we've got a longer week this week, which helps, and so just really taking it day by day. Obviously, not something I've been through with this particular injury."
O'Connell was concerned when he was injured and just as bummed out about having to be carted off the field.
"Yeah, just not a super fun experience overall, and wish it didn't come to that, wish it didn't happen that way," O'Connell said. "It definitely hurt on the field, of course. And then my knee wasn't responding how the doctors hoped it would. And so, yeah, you definitely fear the worst."
Las Vegas has lost nine straight games since last winning on Sept. 29. The Raiders have nothing to play for as a team, but that's not the case for O'Connell, who would like to show the franchise he can be the long-term answer at quarterback.
If O'Connell can't play, Desmond Ridder would start. Ridder, a third-round draft pick by Atlanta in 2022, went 6-7 as a starter for the Falcons last season, 2-2 the prior year.
"Whether it's against the Falcons or the Titans, it doesn't matter who it's against, any opportunity I get to go out there and showcase my talents is an exciting time," Ridder said.
Star defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle), defensive tackle Adam Butler (concussion) and cornerback Sam Webb (back) also missed practice for the Raiders on Thursday.
Inside linebacker Troy Andersen (knee) and receiver Casey Washington (concussion) sat out practice for the Falcons on Thursday.
--Field Level Media