PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NFL Monday Night Game of the Year
(NFL) Falcons (ATL) vs. Raiders (LV),
Point Spread: -5.50 | -110.00 Falcons (ATL) (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -5.50 | -110.00 Falcons (ATL) (Away)
Result: Win
Now that Matt Eberflus is gone, my vote for worst NFL head coach is Antonio Pierce of the Raiders.
Not that Pierce has much to work with since the Raiders give up the second-most points in the NFL, rank last in rushing, turn the ball over the third-highest amount and only have one star defensive player, Maxx Crosby.
Make that zero stars on defense as Crosby is now out for the season with an ankle injury.
Atlanta is a mediocre team. But mediocre is enough to beat the Raiders by a touchdown especially considering the situation.
More than likely the Raiders are going to be forced to start third-string QB Desmond Ridder. The Falcons certainly know how to defend Ridder, who is mobile but inaccurate and highly-turnover prone. Ridder started 13 games for the Falcons last season before Atlanta finally gave up on him.
The Falcons' pass rush has picked up considerably during their last two games. Atlanta has recorded nine sacks during this span. If Aidan O'Connell is somehow able to play on a bad knee - and he's doubtful - the Raiders would have more of a downfield threat but no mobility at quarterback.
The Raiders have no above average weapons for their quarterbacks except tight end Brock Bowers. Las Vegas hasn't broken the 20-point barrier in nine of its last 10 games.
Kirk Cousins could lose his starting position if he doesn't play better for Atlanta. He has far more weapons than the Las Vegas quarterbacks do and is facing a Raiders defense that allows an average of 27.8 points per game - and that was with Crosby, one of the NFL's elite pass rushers.
The Raiders don't have much of a home field edge either with Las Vegas being a tourist destination and being in a dome with controlled settings, which is what the Falcons are used to.
Not that Pierce has much to work with since the Raiders give up the second-most points in the NFL, rank last in rushing, turn the ball over the third-highest amount and only have one star defensive player, Maxx Crosby.
Make that zero stars on defense as Crosby is now out for the season with an ankle injury.
Atlanta is a mediocre team. But mediocre is enough to beat the Raiders by a touchdown especially considering the situation.
More than likely the Raiders are going to be forced to start third-string QB Desmond Ridder. The Falcons certainly know how to defend Ridder, who is mobile but inaccurate and highly-turnover prone. Ridder started 13 games for the Falcons last season before Atlanta finally gave up on him.
The Falcons' pass rush has picked up considerably during their last two games. Atlanta has recorded nine sacks during this span. If Aidan O'Connell is somehow able to play on a bad knee - and he's doubtful - the Raiders would have more of a downfield threat but no mobility at quarterback.
The Raiders have no above average weapons for their quarterbacks except tight end Brock Bowers. Las Vegas hasn't broken the 20-point barrier in nine of its last 10 games.
Kirk Cousins could lose his starting position if he doesn't play better for Atlanta. He has far more weapons than the Las Vegas quarterbacks do and is facing a Raiders defense that allows an average of 27.8 points per game - and that was with Crosby, one of the NFL's elite pass rushers.
The Raiders don't have much of a home field edge either with Las Vegas being a tourist destination and being in a dome with controlled settings, which is what the Falcons are used to.
