West Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons managed to secure a win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, but questions remain about their offensive capabilities. After losing four consecutive games, the Falcons needed this victory to keep their postseason hopes alive as they compete with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The game ended with a 15-9 scoreline in favor of the Falcons, yet concerns persist regarding their offense's ability to score points. The team's success came largely from special teams and defensive efforts rather than offensive prowess. Their defense maintained an impressive streak of at least four sacks in three consecutive games, a feat not achieved since 2004.

Despite favorable field positions set up by blocked punts and turnovers, the Falcons struggled offensively. Out of 11 possessions, six began at or beyond their own 40-yard line, with four starting in Raiders' territory. These advantageous positions resulted in only two field goals and one missed attempt.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris emphasized the need for improvement: "It's pretty simple, you have to score... we have to be way more efficient and we have to be better at practice."

Running back Bijan Robinson acknowledged the missed opportunities: "The defense gives us so many opportunities and for us not to capitalize on a lot of them is on us."

Quarterback Kirk Cousins faced criticism for his inconsistent performance. Morris stated, "He's got to play better... We gotta play better at the quarterback position."

While the run game showed promise against the Raiders, it wasn't enough to prevent late-game pressure when Las Vegas reduced the deficit to one score with under three minutes remaining.

Ultimately, while a win is valuable for any team seeking playoff contention, this particular victory leaves unresolved issues concerning Atlanta's future performance and potential.