Cousins has been an interception machine over the last month
The Week 15 Monday Night Football contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons features teams trending in similar directions but are still at different stages in their respective seasons.
The 2-11 Raiders have lost nine games in a row and are building for the future over the next month, looking to see which young players on the roster can step into bigger roles in 2025. Meanwhile, the 6-7 Falcons are also on a losing streak, dropping four consecutive games, but are fighting to win the NFC South and make the playoffs.
That leads to some interesting key matchups this week.
Jack Jones vs. Kirk Cousins
Quarterback play is a big reason why Atlanta has been on a skid over the last month. Cousins hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since Week 9 while tossing eight interceptions.
Picks have been an issue for him all season as he leads the NFL with 15 and Pro Football Focus has him on the hook for the most “turnover-worthy” plays at 23. Those figures are the most and tied for a career-high, respectively, for the 13-year-pro. Despite that, head coach Raheem Morris told reporters the Falcons won’t be making a quarterback change this week as ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported.
Meanwhile, Jones has developed a reputation as a ballhawk during his three years in the league with six career interceptions (four returned for touchdowns) and 22 passes defended. While the interception figure might seem low for someone with that reputation, it’s important to keep in mind that he only had eight career starts before this season.
That being said, Jones has had a disappointing campaign in his first year as a full-time starter. He didn’t record a pick until Week 9 and that came in garbage time, and he has given up seven touchdowns, tied for the second-most among cornerbacks according to PFF.
So, similar to the matchup between the two struggling teams, this will be a one-on-one battle that features a couple of players who are looking to get back on track.
DJ Glaze vs. Arnold Ebiketie
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Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Falcons’ pass rush has been disappointing this season as the team ranks dead last in the league with 19 sacks, five fewer than any other club. However, Ebiketie could be the solution to that problem since he’s been productive over the last two weeks despite receiving limited opportunities.
Per PFF, the third-year pro has rushed the passer just 26 times in the last couple of games but has managed to record six pressures, including three sacks. Also, his 12.8 percent win rate for the entire season is more than double any edge rusher on Atlanta’s roster who has rushed the passer at least 125 times.
In other words, Ebiketie has earned more playing time moving forward.
As for Glaze, he’s shown promise as the Raiders’ right tackle of the future but pass protection still remains a question mark about his game. The rookie has surrendered 35 pressures and has a PFF efficiency rating of 95.8 this season, the most and the lowest, respectively, on the team.
Especially since Ebiketie’s hot streak has come with him lining up exclusively as a left outside linebacker, that presents a challenge for Las Vegas’ right tackle.
Isaiah Pola-Mao vs. Kyle Pitts
Pola-Mao has hit a rough patch in coverage recently, allowing 10 catches on 14 targets for 201 yards and three touchdowns over the last four weeks, via PFF.
The yardage figure is the third-most among safeties during that timeframe and the two players ahead of him have been targeted at least nine more times. Additionally, the three scores are tied for the most at the position.
More specifically, the three-year pro has struggled against tight ends. Of the figures above, Jonnu Smith, Noah Grey, Travis Kelce and Cade Otton combined to account for four catches, seven targets, 132 yards, two touchdowns and two more first downs.
On Monday night, a new challenge awaits for Pola-Mao against another talented pass-catching tight end.
While Pitts’ 36 catches are only tied for 20th at his position this season, he’s made them count with the ninth-most receiving yards (508) and the third-best yards per catch (14.1) figure, minimum 22 targets. Also, he’s found the endzone three times and had 17 first-down grabs.
Granted, the 2021 first-round pick has just two catches for 23 yards and no touchdowns over the last three games. In other words, this is a matchup between two young players who need to get back on track.
