Cousins and Falcons do just enough to beat Raiders 15-9 and keep pace with Bucs in NFC South

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ahead most of the game, including by double digits in the fourth quarter, the Atlanta Falcons were just trying to hold on at the end.

The Raiders had two passes into the end zone. Two passes to steal a victory and hand Atlanta a considerable setback to its playoff hopes.

Desmond Ridder's first attempt was incomplete and his second was intercepted by Jessie Bates III, allowing Atlanta to escape Las Vegas with a 15-9 victory Monday night and keep pace in the NFC South.

The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game losing streak to remain a game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta owns the head-to-head tiebreaker in a close race with three games remaining.

“That’s where you want to be, and that’s exactly where we’re at,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “We’ve got a short week. We’ve got to get back in the lab. We’ve got to find ways to fix what we did wrong tonight and come out and get another win.”

Atlanta has a favorable remaining schedule, facing two teams with a combined five wins that sandwich a trip to 9-5 Washington. Tampa Bay has a similar finishing stretch.

A potential No. 1 overall draft pick rather than playoff scenarios make up most of the conversation regarding Las Vegas (2-12). The Raiders lost their 10th consecutive game, the NFL's longest active skid, and are tied with the New York Giants for the league's worst record. It is the fifth-longest skid in Raiders history, and worst since dropping 16 straight a decade ago.

Kirk Cousins entered with no touchdown passes and eight interceptions over his previous four starts, raising questions about whether rookie Michael Penix Jr. would take over at quarterback for Atlanta. Morris stuck by Cousins — who signed a four-year, $180 million contract this year — over the eighth pick in the NFL draft.

Cousins did little to assuage concerns about his play, passing for just 112 yards with an interception. His 30-yard pass to a wide-open Drake London with 14 seconds left in the first quarter to put Atlanta ahead 7-0 was his first touchdown toss since firing three of them Nov. 3 in a 27-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

“He's got to play better,” Morris said.

Cousins didn't disagree.

“It's stating the obvious," he said.

The Falcons got the rest of their points on two field goals from Younghoe Koo and a safety by defensive lineman Zach Harrison.

Bijan Robinson rushed for 125 yards and London caught three passes for 53 yards to give him 219 career receptions. London passed Calvin Ridley's 217 catches for most in Falcons history over a player's first three seasons.

Atlanta prevented Ridder from putting a dent in its playoff plans. Ridder, who started 13 games for the Falcons last season before he was traded to Arizona, was stymied most of the night in his first start this season. In replacing Aidan O'Connell, inactive because of a bruised left knee, Ridder passed for 208 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Ridder again downplayed the emotions of playing against his former team, emphasizing this was more about the Raiders than him.

“We were never able to find a rhythm until late in the game,” he said. “By then, it's too little, too late.”

The injury-riddled Raiders gained just 249 yards, and they have trailed by double digits in all 14 games this season.

O'Connell wasn't the only player missing. Defensive end Maxx Crosby announced Saturday he would be undergoing season-ending ankle surgery, and the Raiders were without about half their starting lineup on defense.

Las Vegas also lost running back Sincere McCormick, who had recently become the starter, to an ankle injury early in the second quarter.

Even so, the Raiders nearly rallied to win.

Ridder's 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Ameer Abdullah with 2:54 left brought Las Vegas within six. The extra point was blocked, the third time the Falcons got their hands on a Raiders punt or kick.

After getting the ball back for a last-gasp drive, the Raiders converted a fourth-and-8 from their 34-yard line to eventually set up Ridder's two shots into the end zone.

“Desmond did a good job throwing it up there,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “It’s a jump-ball situation.”

Falcons: Host the New York Giants on Sunday.

Raiders: Host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

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

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King (32) and linebacker Nate Landman (53) celebrate a blocked point after attempt against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Atlanta Falcons' KhaDarel Hodge (12) blocks the punt of Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris smiles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) celebrates his touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Their spot in the playoffs secure, the Minnesota Vikings delivered a prime-time performance seeped in those ingredients that frequently fuel postseason success.

Aaron Jones and Cam Akers had touchdown runs in the second half to complement an unrelenting defense, and the Vikings forged a tie for first place in the NFC North on Monday night by beating the Chicago Bears 30-12 for their seventh consecutive victory.

The Vikings (12-2), who clinched a spot in the playoffs with Seattle’s loss to Green Bay, caught their big break when Detroit’s 11-game winning streak was stopped by Buffalo earlier on Sunday.

“Its going to be incredibly competitive down the stretch,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We’re going to have to play well and continue to improve, chasing our best football.”

Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 73 yards, among them a touchdown from Sam Darnold in the first quarter that was set up by Jonathan Greenard's sack and forced fumble on Caleb Williams.

“Just seeing us stacking the plays, stacking the good games together is really good to see,” Jefferson said. “Our potential is so high. Every game we’re expecting the offense to be the best on that field.”

The Bears put plenty of heat on Darnold, who went 24 for 40 for 231 yards and threw his first interception in five games on a fourth-and-3 throw three plays after Jefferson dropped what would've been a 30-yard touchdown pass.

With a double-digit-point lead for the last 50-plus minutes of the game, the Vikings turned to Jones for 18 rushes and 86 yards.

“Seeing the amount of effort he’s doing after the first contact is what’s crazy to me, fighting for those extra yards and getting those first downs,” Jefferson said. “Having a back like that is tremendous.”

Wearing white helmets for the first time in franchise history to top the snow-like jerseys and pants in their now-annual winter-themed home game — comfortably staged indoors — the Vikings had an energized crowd behind them after former wide receivers Cris Carter and Jake Reed took a Randy Moss jersey to midfield for the coin flip in honor of their ex-teammate, who is being treated for cancer. Jefferson shouted, “We love you, Randy!” after his touchdown catch.

The defense picked up the vibe, allowing the Bears to convert just one of 12 third downs and one of three fourth downs. Williams was exhausted from having to sprint around so much to avoid being sacked, doubling over on the bench at one point in the fourth quarter.

“Our defense was phenomenal,” O'Connell said.

Williams managed to keep alive his NFL rookie record streak of 286 straight passes without an interception for the eighth straight game, but the Bears (4-10) have lost all of those.

The first overall pick in the 2024 draft went 18 for 31 for 191 yards and threw a late touchdown pass to Keenan Allen after a blocked punt gave Chicago the ball at the Minnesota 27.

D’Andre Swift rushed 19 times for 79 yards for the Bears, who’ve been outscored 53-0 in the first half over the last three games. According to Sportradar, they’re the first team with three consecutive scoreless first halves since Jacksonville in 2018.

“Just trying to find ways to put us in better spots, design better plays, call better plays,” interim coach Thomas Brown said.

Once again, the Bears produced a handful of can't-happen plays that ultimately doomed them. Swift was stuffed for no gain on a toss sweep on fourth-and-1 from the Chicago 39 on the opening possession and again on a fourth-and-1 run at the Minnesota 29 in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Swift had a short touchdown run erased by penalty when backup center Doug Kramer neglected to report as an eligible receiver upon entering as an extra blocker for the goal line play. After that, rookie Kiran Amegadjie, who took three penalties in his first NFL start and was beaten badly by Greenard on the strip-sack, was called for holding. The Bears settled for a short field goal.

“Scoring in this league is tough. Winning games is tough. You've got to score to be able to win,” Williams said. “Taking those points off the board, it obviously hurt us.”

Bears: Amegadjie subbed for Braxton Jones, who was out with a concussion along with backup RB Roschon Johnson and backup LG Ryan Bates.

Vikings: RT Brian O'Neill hurt his right knee in the first quarter but after being sidelined for a handful of series returned for most of the second half. ... CB Stephon Gilmore missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury.

The Bears host the Lions on Sunday, when the Vikings visit the Seahawks.

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

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reacts after running for a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs from Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks off the field after an incomplete third down pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jihad Ward (52) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates after a 1-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams runs from Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) celebrates a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) celebrates a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)