ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons should have locked down the NFC South by now, but they continue to prove they are their own worst enemy.

Kirk Cousins ​​threw four interceptions in a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Tarheeb Still, who was set to start playing for the Georgia lottery, grabbed two picks, including a return for a 61-yard touchdown.

For Atlanta, the game was another setback in an ugly November and December full of such events. Los Angeles, on the other hand, hasn’t really played well enough to win, but when the other team seems to be actively trying to lose, just standing still is enough.

The Chargers are already one of the most improved teams in the league under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. But they have the misfortune of playing in the AFC West, home of the 11-1 Chiefs, meaning Los Angeles (now 8-4) is playing for a wild-card spot at best.

Atlanta moved the ball well early in the game and took advantage of a Charger fumble to put the first points on the board with a touchdown from Bijan Robinson. But that was next to nothing for Atlanta.

Cousins ​​began the second quarter with a throw into triple coverage, and Still came away with the interception. Seven plays later, the Chargers turned that turnover into one of their three first-half field goals. The half ended with Los Angeles leading 9-7. Neither team looked particularly inspired or dangerous.

Still stepped it up in the third quarter, hitting a smooth pick-6 off a smooth Cousins ​​flare for a 61-yard touchdown and a 17-10 lead. The frustration was clearly palpable in the understaffed Mercedes-Benz Stadium as boos could be heard from the stands.

Atlanta’s Ray-Ray McCloud made Cousins ​​look very good on the next drive, turning a pass that could have been another pick 6 into a 60-yard reception that took Atlanta all the way to the Los Angeles 10. But Cousins ​​was once again erratic in the red zone, and Atlanta had to settle for a field goal to cut the Chargers’ lead to 17-13. The next time the Falcons pushed deep into Charger territory, Cousins ​​threw another interception, ending another promising Atlanta drive.

Atlanta’s defense, which kept the Chargers out of the end zone all game, did its job, containing Justin Herbert and forcing the Chargers into three punts and a turnover on downs in the second half. But the Falcons couldn’t mount sustained, successful attacks. The Falcons’ last, desperate attack ended like three others – with the ball in Los Angeles’ hands.

Cousins ​​finished the day completing 24 of 39 passes for 245 yards, no touchdowns and those four devastating interceptions. Herbert only threw for 147 yards, but at least all of his catches went to his own teammates.

Atlanta has now lost three straight and continues to leave Tampa Bay in the NFC South race. The Chargers, on the other hand, have cemented their spot in the AFC wild card, but will need to be even more effective than they were on Sunday if they want to advance past the first weekend of the playoffs. They can’t rely on getting gifts like that from any other team they compete against.