The Falcoholic
The Falcons are on a winning streak in the series.
The Falcons close their slate of AFC matchups for the 2024 season with a prime time trip to Las Vegas to face the Raiders — a rare AFC opponent whom Atlanta has beaten more often than not, owning an 8-7 lead in the all time series.
Just like most teams, the formerly Los Angeles Raiders absolutely owned the Falcons in their rare matchups before the modern era, losing the first ever meeting in 1971 before proceeding to win seven out of the next nine through 2000 and through their move to Oakland.
Atlanta has swung the pendulum completely in the other direction, however, winning the last five consecutive meetings, which started with a 35-10 victory in 2004. This includes a 24-0 shutout in 2008 against the JaMarcus Russell led Raiders, in a meeting where Oakland had just 31 passing yards.
Matt Ryan was a perfect 5-0 against the Raiders in his career, even going on to beat them as a member of the Indianapolis Colts after leaving the Falcons.
Nothing was going right for the Falcons in the 2020 season by the time they hosted Jon Gruden’s Raiders in Week 12. They were sitting at 3-7 and coming off of a disappointing loss to the Saints following a bye week of extra preparation, and had already fired head coach Dan Quinn earlier in the year. It seemed that they were ready to take out some frustration.
The two teams combined for three field goals by the middle of the second quarter, and then Atlanta proceeded to boat race the unsuspecting Raiders, who were actually a solid 6-4 and favorites coming into this one.
Calvin Ridley caught Ryan’s first touchdown pass of the day and Atlanta then set up a field goal drive late in the half to take a 16-3 lead into the break. Then things were broken wide open early in the third quarter when Deion Jones intercepted Derek Carr and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown.
That, coupled with the Falcons scoring on each of their final four offensive possessions before some kneel downs turned this into a 43-6 blowout. This would be Atlanta’s last win of the season and Raheem Morris’ last victory as Falcons interim head coach before the team went on a five game losing streak to close out a nightmarish campaign.
