Falcons favored over the Raiders in Monday night matchup

Atlanta (6-7) at Las Vegas (2-11)

Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN

BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 4

Series record: Falcons lead 8-7

Against the spread: Falcons 5-8, Raiders 5-8

Last meeting: Falcons beat Raiders 43-6 in Atlanta on Nov. 29, 2020.

Last week: Falcons lost to Vikings 42-21; Raiders lost to Buccaneers 28-13

Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (12), pass (2), scoring (19)

Falcons defense: overall (23), rush (17), pass (25), scoring (25)

Raiders offense: overall (25), rush (32), pass (16), scoring (31)

Raiders defense: overall (15), rush (14), pass (15), scoring (30)

Turnover differential: Falcons minus-9; Raiders minus-17

OLB Arnold Ebiketie has been a key to Atlanta's suddenly improved pass rush. Ebiketie has three sacks in the past two games, giving him four for the season. Overall, the Falcons have had nine sacks in the past two games. They almost doubled their NFL-low total of 10 through their first 11 games.

Whoever plays quarterback. Aidan O'Connell injured his left knee Sunday at Tampa Bay, and he is listed as questionable. O'Connell is not a mobile quarterback, so if he plays, he likely wouldn't be as limited as a more athletic player at that position. If Desmond Ridder gets the call, he'll face the team where he started 13 games last season.

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins vs. Raiders defense. Cousins has been intercepted the past four games, and he has been picked off six times combined the past two weeks. Las Vegas' best hope in forcing Cousins into even more mistakes is pressuring, and the Raiders have nine sacks over the past two weeks. They also had two interceptions against the Bucs.

Falcons: Rookie RB Jase McClellan was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The sixth-round pick earlier had missed time with a foot problem and had only 13 carries for 32 yards. RB Carlos Washington Jr. was signed to the active roster from the practice squad as depth behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. ... ILB Troy Andersen (knee) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) did not practice on Thursday.

Raiders: DE Maxx Crosby (ankle) will not play and O'Connell (knee) is questionable. Also, Defensive tackle Adam Butler (concussion) is questionable and cornerback Sam Webb (back) is doubtful. RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) is back after missing the past three games. CB Nate Hobbs (ankle) also returns.

The Falcons have won the past five meetings. ... Their 37-point victory in the most recent matchup in 2020 was the most lopsided game in the series' history. ... That game also was the second highest-scoring game by the winning team, behind the then-Oakland Raiders' 50-19 victory in 1979.

Falcons WR Drake London needs only two catches to pass Calvin Ridley (217) for the most receptions in the first three seasons with Atlanta. ... London has 75 receptions for 866 yards and six touchdowns this season. ... Cousins has an unhealthy ratio of 17 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions. ... The Raiders' Brock Bowers has caught 87 passes to set an NFL rookie record tight ends record. Sam LaPorta had 86 last season for the Detroit Lions. Bowers also is 67 yards from becoming the third rookie tight end with 1,000 yards, joining Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts in 2021 and the Chicago Bears' Mike Ditka in 1961. ... LB Robert Spillane is one of seven players this season with at least 100 tackles, an interception and a sack. ... Las Vegas has committed 4.86 penalties per game since coach Antonio Pierce took over at midseason last season, best in the league. ... The Raiders have had at least one sack in 31 consecutive games, the third-longest active streak behind the Baltimore Ravens with 51 and Philadelphia Eagles with 41. Las Vegas has nine combined in the past two games, tied for best in the league with the Falcons.

Raiders RB Sincere McCormick has secured the starting job, and he has averaged at least 5.2 yards per carry in each of his past three games. His rushing total keeps increasing, with McCormick gaining 78 yards against the Bucs. Especially given the uncertainty at quarterback, expect the Raiders to rely on McCormick.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) celebrates with defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) after a sack on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins walks off the field after throwing an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 30 points and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 126-99 on Sunday.

Austin Reaves scored 20 points and LeBron James added 19 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who have won four of five.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and Jalen Williams added 16 for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City remained two games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for the league's best record with five games to play. But instead of closing in on the top seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, the Thunder lost consecutive games for just the second time this season.

The teams will meet again Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

The Lakers led 42-32 after one quarter.

Doncic drove to the hoop before firing a two-handed pass behind his head to an open Gabe Vincent, who drained the 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 64-42 lead. The Lakers led 78-56 at halftime after making a franchise record 15 3-pointers in the first half. It was the most points Oklahoma City has given up in any half this season. Doncic led the way with 22 points and hit five 3-pointers, with most being well contested.

Doncic was fouled as he made a circus layup and the free throw pushed the Lakers’ lead to 93-67 in the third. The Lakers led 103-77 at the end of the period.

James' son, Bronny, hit a 3-pointer for the Lakers in the final minute to close out the scoring.

Lakers: Los Angeles showed the peak of its capability in perhaps the best piece of evidence that things are working with James and Doncic together.

Thunder: The Lakers' spectacular individual shotmaking rendered Oklahoma City’s team defensive strategy useless.

James got a steal and breakaway dunk in the fourth quarter to make it 107-83.

The Thunder scored fewer than 100 points for the first time since Nov. 15.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) looks to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks for an outlet against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, looks to score in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso, center, and forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to pass the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, dribbles away from Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)