Atlanta Falcons vs Las Vegas Raiders Match Player Stats (Dec 16, 2024)
The Atlanta Falcons vs Las Vegas Raiders match player stats from December 16, 2024, tell the story of a playoff race that took a dramatic turn on Monday Night Football. With the Falcons fighting to stay alive in the NFC South and the Raiders riding a nine-game losing streak, this clash at Allegiant Stadium had wildly different stakes for each team.
Quick Stats Summary
- Final Score: Falcons 15, Raiders 9
- Top Performer: Bijan Robinson (125 rushing yards)
- Key Stat: 3 Raiders turnovers vs 1 Falcons
- Game-Changer: 6 points from special teams
- Time of Possession: ATL 33:52, LV 26:08
Table of Contents
Setting the Stage: Injury Reports and Team Form
Before kickoff, both teams faced significant challenges. The Raiders started backup quarterback Desmond Ridder with Gardner Minshew (shoulder) and Aidan O’Connell (knee) both sidelined. Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins entered the game under pressure after throwing eight interceptions in his previous four games.
The Falcons had dropped four straight, falling from 6-3 to 6-7, while Vegas had already been eliminated from playoff contention at 2-11. Under the closed roof of Allegiant Stadium, with perfect conditions for football, something had to give.
Breaking Down the Individual Brilliance
Offensive Player Statistics
| Player | Position | Cmp/Att | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | TDs | INTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | QB | 11/17 | 112 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bijan Robinson | RB | — | — | 125 (22 att) | 0 | — |
| Tyler Allgeier | RB | — | — | 43 (12 att) | 0 | — |
| Drake London | WR | 3 rec | 53 | — | 1 | — |
| Kyle Pitts | TE | 4 rec | 28 | — | 0 | — |
Cousins completed just 64.7% of his passes for 112 yards, his lowest output of the season. But as offensive coordinator Dave Ragone noted postgame, “Sometimes you win with complementary football. Tonight was one of those nights.”
Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Stats
| Player | Position | Cmp/Att | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | TDs | INTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desmond Ridder | QB | 23/39 | 208 | 28 (5 att) | 1 | 2 |
| Ameer Abdullah | RB | 7 rec | 58 | 8 (3 att) | 1 | — |
| Alexander Mattison | RB | 2 rec | 3 | 21 (7 att) | 0 | — |
| Jakobi Meyers | WR | 5 rec | 59 | — | 0 | — |
| Brock Bowers | TE | 3 rec | 35 | — | 0 | — |
Ridder struggled with consistency throughout. His first three quarters saw him complete just 9 of 20 passes for 65 yards before a late rally that ultimately fell short.
Defensive Standouts Who Made the Difference
The defensive statistics reveal why this game stayed low-scoring despite Vegas running 65 offensive plays to Atlanta’s 57.
Key Defensive Performances
| Team | Player | Tackles | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | Jessie Bates III | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| ATL | Justin Simmons | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| ATL | Mike Hughes | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ATL | DeAngelo Malone | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| LV | Robert Spillane | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| LV | Isaiah Pola-Mao | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jessie Bates III’s interception on the game’s final play sealed the victory. “We knew they’d take a shot at the end zone,” Bates said after the game. “I just trusted my instincts and made the play.”
The Ground Game Battle
Robinson’s performance anchored Atlanta’s offensive approach. His 125 yards came on consistent gains rather than breakaway runs, with his longest going for 29 yards. The Falcons averaged 4.5 yards per carry as a team, controlling the line of scrimmage against a Raiders defence that knew what was coming.
Vegas managed just 65 total rushing yards across 22 attempts. When you average 3.0 yards per carry, it forces your passing game to carry the load. With a backup quarterback facing third-and-long situations repeatedly, the Raiders’ offence never found rhythm.
Historical Context: Falcons vs Raiders
This marked just the 13th meeting between these franchises, with the series tied 6-6 entering the game. Their last encounter in 2020 saw Atlanta win 43-6, but this defensive struggle bore no resemblance to that shootout.
Special Teams: The Hidden Yardage
Special teams coordinator Marquice Williams had his unit ready to make game-changing plays:
Special Teams Impact
| Play | Team | Result | Points | Field Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Safety
|
Atlanta | Mattison tackled in end zone | +2 | Free kick from 20 |
|
Blocked Punt
|
Atlanta | Led to FG | +3 | Started at LV 37 |
|
Blocked XP
|
Atlanta | Prevented Raiders point | +1 | Kept two-score lead |
| Total Special Teams Impact | 6 Points | |||
The blocked punt by KhaDarel Hodge came at the 12:26 mark of the third quarter. Starting at the Vegas 37-yard line, Atlanta needed just four plays to set up Younghoe Koo’s 40-yard field goal.
Turnover Battle: Momentum Shifts
Each turnover proved crucial in a game with just 24 total points:
| Quarter | Team | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 | Las Vegas | Mattison fumble | Led to ATL field position |
| Q4 | Las Vegas | Ridder INT (Simmons) | Killed potential scoring drive |
| Q4 | Las Vegas | Ridder INT (Bates) | Ended game |
The Raiders entered the game with 28 turnovers on the season, second-worst in the NFL. This trend continued at the worst possible time.
Time of Possession and Drive Efficiency
Atlanta’s 33:52 to 26:08 advantage in time of possession reflected their methodical approach. The Falcons ran 37 rushing plays compared to just 17 pass attempts, keeping the Raiders’ offence on the sideline.
| Team | Total Drives | Scoring Drives | Three-and-Outs | Avg Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3:23 |
| Las Vegas | 11 | 2 | 4 | 2:22 |
Coaching Decisions That Mattered
Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce faced criticism for not attempting any fourth-down conversions until late in the game. Meanwhile, Arthur Smith stuck with the run even when it wasn’t producing explosive plays, trusting his defence to hold.
“We knew coming in that ball security would be huge,” Smith said postgame. “Our guys executed the game plan perfectly.”
Playoff Implications
The victory kept Atlanta one game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South with three games remaining. The Falcons controlled their destiny: win out and hope for one Buccaneers loss.
For Las Vegas, the loss mathematically eliminated them from playoff contention, though their postseason hopes had realistically ended weeks earlier.
Comparing Recent Performances
Looking at the Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats from earlier in the season shows how Atlanta’s offensive philosophy evolved towards this run-heavy approach.
The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders match player stats demonstrated Vegas’s ongoing struggles against physical defences throughout 2024.
Weather and Stadium Conditions
Allegiant Stadium’s translucent ETFE roof eliminated weather as a factor. The 72-degree controlled environment meant both teams could execute their game plans without external variables. This made the statistical disparities purely about execution rather than conditions.
Red Zone Efficiency
| Team | Red Zone Trips | Touchdowns | Field Goals | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Las Vegas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
Atlanta’s inability to reach the red zone highlighted their offensive struggles. Their only touchdown came on Drake London’s 30-yard reception, while their other points came from two field goals (40, 48 yards) and the safety.
Third Down: The Drive Extender
Neither team found success on third down, contributing to the low-scoring nature:
| Team | Early Downs (Q1-Q2) | Late Downs (Q3-Q4) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 2/7 (28.6%) | 2/6 (33.3%) | 4/13 (30.8%) |
| Las Vegas | 1/6 (16.7%) | 3/8 (37.5%) | 4/14 (28.6%) |
Penalty Report: Discipline Under Pressure
Robert Spillane’s costly roughing the passer penalty in the fourth quarter extended an Atlanta drive when Vegas desperately needed a stop. The 15-yard penalty came on an incomplete pass, giving Atlanta a fresh set of downs.
| Team | Pre-Snap | Defensive | Offensive | Special Teams | Total Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 30 |
| Las Vegas | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 55 |
Quotes from the Locker Room
“Our defence played lights out tonight,” Robinson said after the game. “When they’re getting turnovers and our special teams is making plays, we just need to do our job and move the chains.”
Ridder, facing his former team, acknowledged the pressure: “They brought some looks we hadn’t seen on film. Credit to their defensive coordinator for putting together a great plan.”
Six Months Later: The Aftermath
As we analyse these statistics in May 2025, the impact becomes clearer. Atlanta rode this momentum to secure a wild-card spot, while Las Vegas cleaned house, firing their coaching staff and trading several veterans.
The Falcons’ blueprint from this game became their identity: suffocating defence, ball control, and capitalising on opponents’ mistakes. It wasn’t pretty, but it proved effective.
Statistical Deep Dive: Efficiency Metrics
| Metric | Atlanta | Las Vegas | League Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yards per Play | 4.6 | 3.8 | 5.4 |
| Explosive Plays (20+ yds) | 2 | 3 | 8.2 |
| Stuff Rate (RB for loss) | 18.2% | 31.8% | 22.5% |
| Pressure Rate | 24.3% | 30.8% | 25.1% |
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring
December 16, 2024 • Allegiant Stadium
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ATL
Atlanta Falcons
|
7 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
|
LV
Las Vegas Raiders
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
Total Yards
ATL 261 – 249 LV
First Downs
ATL 14 – 16 LV
Turnovers
ATL 1 – 3 LV
Time of Possession
ATL 33:52 – 26:08 LV
FAQ’s About Atlanta Falcons vs Las Vegas Raiders Match Player Stats
Who was the MVP of the Falcons vs Raiders game?
While Bijan Robinson’s 125 rushing yards provided the offensive foundation, the special teams unit’s six-point contribution in a six-point victory earned them collective MVP honours.
How many turnovers did the Raiders have?
Las Vegas committed three turnovers: two Desmond Ridder interceptions (to Justin Simmons and Jessie Bates III) and one Alexander Mattison fumble recovered by Dee Alford.
What was the final score of the Falcons vs Raiders game?
Atlanta defeated Las Vegas 15-9 at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024.
Which quarterback performed better statistically?
Kirk Cousins posted a 78.6 passer rating (11/17, 112 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) compared to Desmond Ridder’s 60.6 rating (23/39, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT). Cousins’ efficiency trumped Ridder’s volume.
How did special teams impact the game?
Atlanta’s special teams accounted for six points: a two-point safety, three points from a field goal after a blocked punt, and one point saved by blocking an extra point attempt.
What was the time of possession difference?
Atlanta controlled the ball for 33:52 compared to Las Vegas’s 26:08, a difference of 7:44 that proved crucial in the low-scoring affair.
The Lasting Impact
The Atlanta Falcons vs Las Vegas Raiders match player stats from December 16, 2024, demonstrate how games are won in all three phases. When your defence creates turnovers, special teams generates points, and your running game controls the clock, explosive offensive plays become less necessary. This formula carried Atlanta to the playoffs while sending Vegas into an offseason of change.
Sources:
