• WHERE: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
• WHEN: 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes, NFL+

1) Atlanta needs Cousins ​​to get back on track. The Falcons remain in contention for the NFC South crown, but haven’t looked like a division-winning team over the last four weeks – a span in which they lost all four games by a total of 60 points, including the Doubled by the Vikings last week. A large portion of the problems in that span can be attributed to the regression of Kirk Cousins, who had zero touchdown passes and eight interceptions in that span. It marks the first time in his career that he has had a passer rating of less than 80.0 in four consecutive games, with a total of seven such appearances in 13 starts this year. Previously, Cousins ​​had a TD-INT ratio of 17-7, but now he leads the league in picks. The difficulties were so notable that head coach Raheem Morris now had to consider whether to continue starting Cousins ​​after the last two games, choosing to stand behind his quarterback despite the presence of rookie Michael Penix Jr. on the wings . This isn’t the only issue the Falcons have that they need to improve if they want to get back on the win list, let alone overtake the Buccaneers in the race over the last four weeks. But it starts with the play of their veteran quarterback, and this week could be a crucial opportunity with questions already swirling.

2) Vegas’ QB situation is unknown. Injuries have not been good for the Raiders this season, with the latest blow coming in the form of Max CrosbySeason-ending ankle surgery. And there’s another injury story to keep an eye on heading into Monday’s game, as the Raiders may have to give up their third starting quarterback of the season. Aidan O’Connell is the latest quarterback to battle an injury after suffering a bone bruise in his knee in last week’s game. The injury initially appeared to be much more serious, but O’Connell has missed all three training sessions this week and it is questionable whether he will be able to play. O’Connell’s season was up and down and took over thereafter Gardner Minshew‘s sat on the bench, then injured his thumb, then returned to his QB1 role for the last two games, although he maintains a 0-4 record in his starts. It’s looking less and less likely that his injury will allow him to play this week, but if he does, it will give him the chance he needs to lead his team to victory. But if he can’t go, so be it Desmond Ridder at the top, with the QB having a personal history with the Falcons. Ridder played for Atlanta the last two years and started 13 games in 2023. He went 6-7 with 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and was benched several times by then-head coach Arthur Smith. Following Cousins’ signing, he was eventually traded to the Cardinals and then released and signed by Las Vegas before the regular season. Now if O’Connell can’t play, he could get the opportunity to show his skills to his new and old teams. We’ll likely have to wait until just before game time to know whether O’Connell or Ridder will get the start, but both QBs’ performances will be worth paying close attention to.