Deion Jones returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown, Matt Ryan threw a pair of short scoring passes, and the Atlanta Falcons thoroughly dominated Derek Carr and the bumbling Las Vegas Raiders 43-6 on Sunday.
The Raiders (6-5) lost their second in a row and looked very much like a pretender in the AFC playoff race, producing a listless, mistake-filled performance against an Atlanta team that's playing out the season under an interim coach.
Click to Gallery
Deion Jones returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown, Matt Ryan threw a pair of short scoring passes, and the Atlanta Falcons thoroughly dominated Derek Carr and the bumbling Las Vegas Raiders 43-6 on Sunday.
Nathan Peterman finished out at quarterback for the Raiders, who took their worst loss of Jon Gruden's most recent three seasons as coach.
Gambling on fourth-and-3 at the Raiders 4, Ryan double-pumped to buy just enough time to find Calvin Ridley alone in the back of the end zone for the game's first touchdown with 2:17 left in a tedious first half that took nearly two hours to complete.
Atlanta led 16-3 at halftime, and Jones sealed the game early in the third quarter.
Carr's first two fumbles were both recovered by Atlanta's Jacob Tuioti-Mariners. The backup defensive end showed exceptional athleticism on the second one, knocking it away from Carr and then scrambling to fall on the loose ball.
Koo connected from 38, 39, 30, 29 and 54 yards, stretching his field-goal streak to 21 straight.
Raiders: CB Damon Arnette was evaluated for a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit with one of his teammates on the first play of the game. ... CB Trayvon Mullen left with an abdominal injury in the first half but was able to return.
Raiders: Play their second straight game on the East Coast when they face the winless New York Jets next Sunday.
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs against Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris watches play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) hits Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) for a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons recovered the ball. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) celebrates a fumble recovery with Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means (55) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Carr had a miserable day, fumbling the ball away three times in addition to delivering the pick that the Falcons linebacker returned for his fifth career TD.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) celebrates a touchdown after an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Nathan Peterman finished out at quarterback for the Raiders, who took their worst loss of Jon Gruden's most recent three seasons as coach.
Las Vegas had a season-worst five turnovers in all and was flagged 11 times for 141 yards, with one penalty wiping out an interception and another allowing the Falcons (4-7) to keep the ball after a missed field goal.
Atlanta wound up scoring a touchdown after Dallin Leavitt rolled into Younghoe Kim's legs, taking him out for a roughing-the-kicker personal foul.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) works in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Gambling on fourth-and-3 at the Raiders 4, Ryan double-pumped to buy just enough time to find Calvin Ridley alone in the back of the end zone for the game's first touchdown with 2:17 left in a tedious first half that took nearly two hours to complete.
Ryan, who was 22 of 39 for 185 yards, added another 4-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, this one to Brandon Powell.
Ito Smith tacked on an 8-yard TD run after another Carr turnover, this one when Steven Means shoved left tackle Kolton Miller into his own quarterback, causing the ball to slip out of Carr's hand just before his arm went forward for a throw.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) hits Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Atlanta led 16-3 at halftime, and Jones sealed the game early in the third quarter.
Carr was swarmed by the pass rush and threw behind running back Devontae Booker on a short pass over the middle. The ball went right to Jones, who streaked all the way to the end zone with no one even close.
Carr saw the play unfolding while on his knees, slapping the turf in disgust when Jones made the pick.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Ridley under pressure from Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis ComptonAtlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Carr's first two fumbles were both recovered by Atlanta's Jacob Tuioti-Mariners. The backup defensive end showed exceptional athleticism on the second one, knocking it away from Carr and then scrambling to fall on the loose ball.
The Raiders cost themselves an interception when Nevin Lawson's facemask penalty negated a pick by Nick Kwiatkoski.
For good measure, Atlanta was able to close the first half with the third of Koo's five field goals, a 30-yarder helped along by Maliek Collins slamming into Ryan for another 15-yard roughing penalty.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) scores a touchdown against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Koo connected from 38, 39, 30, 29 and 54 yards, stretching his field-goal streak to 21 straight.
The Raiders were held to a pair of field goals from Daniel Carlson. Las Vegas managed 243 yards and 13 first downs.
INJURY REPORT
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) celebrates his touchdown with Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson (33) against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Raiders: CB Damon Arnette was evaluated for a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit with one of his teammates on the first play of the game. ... CB Trayvon Mullen left with an abdominal injury in the first half but was able to return.
Falcons: Already playing without star Julio Jones because of a hamstring injury, Atlanta's receiving corps took another blow when Olamide Zaccheaus went down in the first half with a toe injury. ... OG James Carpenter was carted off the field with a groin injury in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) is hit by the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Raiders: Play their second straight game on the East Coast when they face the winless New York Jets next Sunday.
Falcons: Take on first-place New Orleans for the second time in three weeks, hosting their NFC South rival next Sunday. The Saints won the first meeting 24-9.
Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 and find his work at https://apnews.com/search/paulnewberry
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker (43) hits Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. Carr through an interception on the play. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Ridley and is leveled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis ComptonAtlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs against Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris watches play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) hits Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) for a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons recovered the ball. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) celebrates a fumble recovery with Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means (55) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBrynn Anderson)