Falcons 43, Raiders 6: A dominant victory over a good team bolsters 2021 hopes

The Falcons and Raiders came into this game on two different trajectories. Atlanta’s season is basically over while Las Vegas is still in line to make the playoffs. With Todd Gurley and Julio Jones both out, did the Dirk Koetter offense still put up points or did the Raiders continue their march towards the postseason? Read on to find out.

First quarter

Atlanta wins the toss and receives to start the game. From the 25, the offense starts with a carry by Brian Hill for 1, but holding on Hayden Hurst brings it back. Matt Ryan can’t connect with Hurst on 1st and 20, a screen pass is batted down and Ryan connects with Jaeden Graham for 11, well short of the sticks. Atlanta punts.

Derek Carr and the Raiders start with an incomplete pass targeting Nelson Agholor, but offsides on Atlanta gives 5 yards. Josh Jacobs is limited to 1 on a run and a reception goes for 1. On 3rd and 3, Keanu Neal tackles Hunter Renfrow short of the conversion. Raiders go for it on 4th and 1 and Deion Jones stops Jacobs short, forcing the turnover on downs.

The Falcons start with a scramble by Ryan that gains 5. Brian Hill picks up 3 more and Ryan connects with Calvin Ridley for 15 and the first. Hill runs for 1, Ryan overthrows Ridley and on 3rd and 9 Ryan’s pass to Brandon Powell gains nothing. Younghoe Koo comes on and punches in the 38 yard field goal for the early lead.

Falcons 3, Raiders 0

The Raiders offense starts with Derek Carr fumbling the ball on a sack by Foye Oluokun, with Jacob Tuitoi-Mariner recovering it. Falcons ball.

Hill runs for a 1 yard loss, Ryan targets Olamide Zaccheus but he can’t come down with it. On 3rd and 11 Ryan ends up throwing it away with no one open. Koo comes on and nails his 2nd field goal from 39.

Falcons 6, Raiders 0

Jacobs starts the drive with a run for 5. The pass to Jacobs gains 9 but he’s flagged for lowering his helmet - a 15 yard penalty. Agholor gains 7 on 2nd and 16 and on 3rd down Keanu Neal makes another big play, tackling Darren Waller for a one yard loss and forcing the punt.

Ryan targets Graham who can’t pull it in, Hill runs up the middle for 5 and on 3rd and 5 Ryan hits Zaccheus, who pulls it in and picks up the first. Ryan hits Hurst for 12 and the first and his next pass is tipped and picked off by Jonathan Abram. Raiders take over.

Hunter Renfrow takes the short pass for 16 and the first. Devontae Booker runs for no gain, Darqueze Dennard breaks up the pass intended for Waller and on 3rd and 10 Isaiah Oliver makes the open field tackle on Agholor to stop him short. On 4th and 3, Henry Ruggs picks up 36 yards taking it down to the Atlanta 3 and the end of the quarter.

Falcons 6, Raiders 0

Second quarter

Carr can’t connect with Waller on 1st and goal and a hold on 2nd down sets up 2nd and goal from the 13. Another offensive penalty sets up 2nd down from the Falcons 23. Jacobs gets the carry but fumbles the ball (Marlon Davidson) and Atlanta recovers (Charles Harris). The call, however, is overturned on replay. On 3rd and goal, Renfrow is stopped well short after gaining 11. The Raiders punch in the field goal.

Falcons 6, Raiders 3

Brian Hill runs for 3 and 4 and on 3rd and 3 Kaleb McGary is beat quickly by Maxx Crosby and Ryan has to throw it away. Atlanta punts.

Carr targets Waller and A.J. Terrell is called for PI. Renfrow takes the pass for 2 and Zay Jones picks up 3 on his reception. On 3rd and 5 Carr goes deep for Ruggs but can’t connect. Las Vegas has to punt.

Ryan throws a quick pass to Ridley for 6, Hill runs for a 1 yard loss and Ryan is able to connect with Christian Blake on 3rd down for a gain of 17 to keep the sticks moving. Ito Smith runs for 3 and Hurst takes the dump off for 12 and the first. Ryan throws a slant that appeared to be a deflected interception, but a facemask penalty on the Raiders keeps the ball with the Falcons. Ryan then connects with Russell Gage for 14 and another first. Hurst can’t haul in the pass and Ryan is sacked on 2nd down. On 3rd and 16 Ryan can’t connect with Gage in the end zone. Koo comes on and misses the field goal, but he was roughed on the play and Atlanta gets a free first down. After a hold by Alex Mack sets up 1st and 20, Hill runs for 7. Ito gains 3 on the screen and on 3rd and 10 Gage picks up 7 on the pass. On 4th and 3, Ryan connects with Ridley for the touchdown.

Falcons 13, Raiders 3

Carr’s pass to Ruggs gains only 1 after a nice tackle by Terrell. Agholor gains 13 on the pass to pick up the first and Waller takes a pass for 11 and another first. A defensive penalty sets up 1st and 5 and Carr misses Bryan Edwards and Renfrow is not able to pull his pass in. On 3rd and 5 Carr hits Edwards for 15. On 1st down, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner sacks Carr and recovers the fumble himself. Atlanta ball.

Ryan can’t connect with Hurst, Ito Smith gains 9 on the pass and on 3rd and 1 Smith runs for the quick conversion with 31 seconds left. Ryan connects with Hurst for 11 and the first. Ryan can’t connect with Blake, but a roughing the passer penalty gives Atlanta 15, the first, and a stopped clock. Ryan has to throw it away on 1st and 2nd down and on 3rd and 10 he connects with Hurst, who picks up 13 and goes out of bounds. Younghoe Koo comes on and nails the 30 yarder to extend the Atlanta lead and take us to halftime.

Falcons 16, Raiders 3

Third quarter

After the touchback, the Raiders offense starts with a run for little gain by Jacobs. Carr can’t connect with Agholor and on 3rd and 9, the Falcons decline a holding call after Carr throws it away. Las Vegas punts.

From their 11, Hill runs for 3 and Ridley takes a reception for 6. On 3rd and 1, Hill is stopped 4 yards behind the line and Atlanta has to punt. The punt is partially blocked and the Raiders take over on the Falcons 36.

Carr can’t connect with Booker and on 2nd down, Deion Jones gets the pick 6!

Falcons 23, Raiders 3

Jacobs runs for 3 and Ruggs picks up 18 on the next pass. The end around loses 2 yard and Renfrow takes the pass for 11 to setup 3rd and 1. Carr finds Agholor for 12 and the first. Jacobs gains 11 on the dump off pass. Ricardo Allen drills Renfrow to force the incomplete pass on a potential TD throw. Carr hits Agholor again for 13 and the first. Carr can’t connect with Ruggs on 1st and goal and Mykal Walker pressures Carr into a throwaway on 2nd down. On 3rd and goal the pass to Booker loses a yard and Las Vegas settles for the 24 yard field goal.

Falcons 23, Raiders 6

Starting from their 12 after a return and penalty, Hill runs for 4 and pressure forces Ryan to throw it at the foot of the receiver. On 3rd and 6, Ryan can’t connect with Ridley, but the Raiders are called for defensive pass interference to keep the drive alive. Ryan connects with Gage for 11 and another first. Hill picks up 7 with the run up the middle and Ryan hits Ridley across the middle for 11. Ryan is roughed again on the next play for the first and 15 free yards. Hill runs for a minimal gain, Ito Smith catches a pass for 3 and on 3rd and 7 Ryan hits Ridley who picks up the first but is injured on the play. On 1st and goal, Ryan can’t connect with Gage. Ryan is nearly picked on 2nd down and on 3rd and goal Ryan connects with Brandon Powell for the touchdown.

Falcons 30, Raiders 6

After a return and penalty, from their 10 Josh Jacobs runs for 15 but Laroy Reynolds forces the fumble and it is recovered by Keanu Neal. Atlanta ball.

Ito Smith runs for 1 and again for 11 and the first. He runs again for 2 more and the end of the quarter.

Falcons 30, Raiders 6

Fourth quarter

Smith runs for 5 to setup 3rd and 3. Ryan passes to Smith, but he loses 3 yards. Younghoe Koo comes on and punches in the 29 yard field goal to make it a four possession lead.

Falcons 33, Raiders 6

Renfrow starts the drive with a 19 yard catch and run. Carr fumbles the ball again on the next play and the Falcons recover.

Ito Smith runs for 24 yards to kick off the drive. He runs again for another 3 yards and Ryan has to throw it away on 2nd down. On 3rd and 7, Ito Smith carries the rock for the touchdown run.

Falcons 40, Raiders 6

With Nathan Peterman now in at QB, Booker runs for no gain, stopped cold by Marlon Davidson. Waller gains 4 on the pass and after a false start sets up 3rd and 11 and the quick pass to Booker goes nowhere. Raiders punt.

Matt Schaub takes over for Ryan and the offense starts with a run by Smith for 3. After another run gains 4 on 3rd and 3 Brian Hill busts out a big time run of 23 yards. Three straight runs setup the long 54 yard field goal attempt by Koo, who comes on and nails it.

Falcons 43, Raiders 6

Booker picks up 4 on the ground and Waller picks up the first on the pass. After Peterman misses Waller on first down and Booker runs for 2, on 3rd and 8 Peterman scrambles for the first down. John Cominsky gets the sack on Peterman on 1st down and the pass to Renfrow picks up 10 to setup 3rd and 2. Peterman is sacked again, this time by Tyeler Davison. After the 2 minute warning, the Raiders punt.

The Falcons use the victory formation to close out the game.

Final: Falcons 43, Raiders 6