The Atlanta Falcons ended their four-game losing streak with one Monday Night Football Victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, but quarterback Kirk Cousins’ performance remained disappointing.

Cousins ​​started the game strong, completing his first four pass attempts and hitting wide receiver Drake London for a 30-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. After that touchdown, the Falcons offense was unable to do much for the rest of the game.

The Falcons only managed two field goals after the touchdown and another missed field goal attempt, but all three of those kicks came from short fields. Cousins ​​and the offense barely had to move the ball to get into field goal range in those instances and failed to hit the ball into the end zone again.

Instead, the Falcons’ defense and special teams had to lead the team to victory after the first quarter. The defense forced three turnovers from former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, who was filling in due to an injury. The defense forced a punt and safety, giving the team nine of its 15 points on the day.

Cousins ​​finished the game just 11 of 17 for 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception. With hopes of reaching the postseason and winning the division slim at this point in the season, it was a disappointing performance at a pivotal moment for a quarterback the Falcons had signed to a four-year, $180 million contract.

“He’s got to play better,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Cousins ​​after the game. “We have to find a way to make him play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position.”

The Falcons signed Cousins ​​knowing they had a talented roster but needed a quarterback. Instead of Cousins ​​taking Atlanta to the next level, he has held them back, just as previous Falcons quarterbacks have done since the departure of Matt Ryan.

When asked if he would consider trading for rookie Michael Penix Jr. if quarterback play didn’t improve, Morris didn’t directly answer the question.

“Our mentality is to find a way to win the next game,” Morris told reporters.

The Falcons remain in second place in the NFC South. Despite defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this season, Atlanta is not in control of its fate in the division. The 7-7 Falcons will have to expect the 8-6 Buccaneers to lose at least one of their last three games to have a chance at winning the NFC South. Given the Bucs’ winning game plan down the stretch and Cousins’ lack of inspiring play, that possibility seems tenuous as ever.