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- Atlanta (6-7) is a 4.5-point road favorite over the Raiders (2-11) in Week 15
- Desmond Ridder will make his first start of the season against the franchise that selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft
- Monday Night Football kicks off from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV at 8:15 pm ET
Kirk Cousins will start this Sunday versus the Raiders despite throwing zero touchdowns and eight interceptions over Atlanta’s four-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Las Vegas will turn to former Falcons QB Desmond Ridder after Aidan O’Connell suffered a knee injury in a 28-13 loss to Tampa Bay in Week 14.
Before we look at the odds for this Monday night matchup, check out the best MNF bets for Week 15 and find the top betting sites for NFL football.
Raiders vs Falcons
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Atlanta Falcons | -4.5 (-110) | -215 | Un 44 (-110) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +4.5 (-110) | +185 | Ov 44 (-110) |
Atlanta desperate for win
While he improved on his four-pick performance against the Chargers last week, Kirk Cousins tossed two ugly interceptions in a 42-21 loss to the Vikings. To make matters worse, Cousins’ replacement in Minnesota, Sam Darnold, passed for a career-high five touchdowns.
Despite his starting quarterback throwing eight picks and no TDs in his last four games, Raheem Morris said he has no plans to turn to No. 8 overall draft pick Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons head coach will also hope his team plays with more discipline against the Raiders after they picked up an NFL season-high 127 penalty yards in Week 14.
Kirk Cousins has 0 touchdowns and 8 interceptions over the last 4 games.
You drafted Michael Penix Jr. for this moment, make the switch Falcons.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) December 8, 2024
Raiders lose again
After looking competent in a 19-17 Black Friday loss to the Chiefs, Las Vegas was anything but in a 28-13 defeat to the Buccaneers on Sunday. Aidan O’Connell tossed an interception and lost a fumble before suffering a bone bruise on his left knee and leaving the game.
Brock Bowers broke an NFL record for rookie tight ends with his 87th reception of the season. He’ll be catching passes from Desmond Ridder in Week 15. Atlanta’s former QB was run out of town last offseason after throwing 12 TDs and 12 INTs in 15 games in 2023.
Atlanta vs Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a 4.5-point home underdog in Allegiant Stadium on Monday Night Football and the over/under is set at 44 points. Antonio Pierce has the 27th-ranked scoring offense (18.2 PPG) – which is still more than Atlanta has averaged (14.3) over their four-game losing skid.
Bijan Robinson is #4 in the NFL with 1,378 all-purpose yards this season. However, the Raiders rank a respectable #14 against the run. Raheem Morris’ #25-ranked pass defense is allowing 229.1 yards per game, setting up a possible revenge game narrative for Ridder against his former club.
Gene Steratore says Calijah Kancey should have been flagged for an obvious roughing the passer penalty. Tough look for the Bucs.
Aiden O’Connell was carted off after this hit. Desmond Ridder is in at QB. pic.twitter.com/NUtndxHFrS
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) December 8, 2024
Best Bet
Atlanta is only one win back of Tampa Bay for the NFC South crown with winnable games against the Raiders, Giants and Panthers on tap over the next month. But, sticking with Cousins seems stubborn and foolish at this point.
We’ll take the two-win Raiders to upset the Falcons (+185) on Monday Night Football and jumpstart the Michael Penix Jr. era a couple weeks too late.
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