Who's the Guy?
Multi-faceted playmaker Bijan Robinson can produce explosive plays as a runner or receiver on the perimeter. With 1,378 scrimmage yards on 268 touches in 13 games, Robinson will have plenty of opportunities to impact the game. As the Raiders build a defensive gameplan to slow down the Falcons, stopping No. 7 must be the top priority.
Know His Name
Drake London is the Falcons' designated chain mover on the perimeter. The super-sized pass catcher is a "post-up" specialist with a knack for creating space for defenders with his ultra-physical approach. If the Falcons need a play, the ball is going to London, and they will dare opponents to stop it.
Don't Sleep On…
Tyler Allgeier lurks in the shadows of the Falcons' lead runner, but the third-year pro is a dangerous playmaker as a change-of-pace back. The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder specializes in picking up the tough yards between the tackles, displaying a rugged style that makes him a challenge to contain late in games. As the Falcons look to impose their will on the Raiders while protecting their struggling quarterback, Allgeier could be the X-factor in a must-win contest for the Dirty Birds.
Under Pressure
Kirk Cousins' days are numbered if turnover struggles continue. With the veteran's errant throws and poor decisions costing the Falcons games, I see the clock ticking on the Cousins era in Atlanta.
Matchup to Watch
Jesse Bates III and Justin Simmons vs. Brock Bowers
The Falcons' Pro Bowl safety tandem will attempt to limit the rookie tight end's touches on the perimeter. Utilizing various coverage tactics, including brackets and double teams, Bates and Simmons will try to close the windows available to Bowers and force the quarterback to target another pass catcher on crucial downs.
Offensive Strategy
The Falcons can potentially torment opponents with a balanced offensive approach that deftly mixes runs and passes to keep defensive play-callers guessing in crucial moments. With a two-headed monster in the backfield and a dynamic collection of pass catchers on the perimeter, the Falcons are a challenge to defend if their quarterback follows the script and plays winning football by limiting his miscues.
Defensive Strategy
Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake want to eliminate big plays from the opponents while attacking the ball at every turn. The Falcons lack a disruptive pass rush, but their post-snap tactics challenge the quarterback's awareness, instincts and awareness. Moreover, the Falcons' "hustle hard" approach will test the Raiders' discipline and competitive stamina over 60 minutes.
As the Raiders prepare for their Week 15 matchup, take a look back at past matchups between the Silver and Black and the Atlanta Falcons.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Horace Jones (82) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta Stadium, Sunday, December 5, 1971, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Monte Johnson (58) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 30, 1975, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Clarence Hawkins (26) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, October 14, 1979, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Clarence Hawkins (26) rushes during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, October 14, 1979, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Willie Jones (90) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 14, 1979, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Ted Hendricks (83) and defensive end Willie Jones (90) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 14, 1979, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Derrick Jensen (31) and fullback Mark van Eeghen (30) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 30, 1979, in Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Matt Millen (55) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 19, 1982, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Malcolm Barnwell (80) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 19, 1982, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32), guard Curt Marsh (60), running back Frank Hawkins (27), and tight end Todd Christensen (46) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 19, 1982, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive tackle Archie Reese (74) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 19, 1982, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive tackle Archie Reese (74) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 19, 1982, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Kenny King (33) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, December 1, 1985, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Dokie Williams (85) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, December 1, 1985, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, December 1, 1985, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, December 1, 1985, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, December 1, 1985, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders tight end Trey Junkin (87) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 20, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders punter Jeff Gossett (6) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 20, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 20, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Wilson (40) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 22, 1991, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Wilson (40) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 22, 1991, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders cornerback Lionel Washington (48) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 22, 1991, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders tight end Ethan Horton (88) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 22, 1991, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Wilson (40) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 22, 1991, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Mervyn Fernandez (86) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Sunday, September 22, 1991, in Atlanta, Ga.
Los Angeles Raiders guard Kevin Gogan (66) and center Don Mosebar (72) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 23, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders tackle Greg Skrepenak (78) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 23, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles raiders wide receiver Raghib Ismail (86) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 23, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Anthony Smith (94) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 23, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 23, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Harvey Williams (22) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 23, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Harvey Williams (22) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 23, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rob Fredrickson (53) and defensive end Anthony Smith (94) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, September 14, 1997, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Desmond Howard (80) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, September 14, 1997, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Anthony Smith (94) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, September 14, 1997, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff George (3) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, September 14, 1997, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins (63) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders full back Zack Crockett (32) rushes during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Grady Jackson (90) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Tony Bryant (94) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders safety Anthony Dorsett (33) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders safety Stuart Schweigert (30) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at The Georgia Dome, Sunday, December 12, 2004, in Atlanta, Ga.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at The Georgia Dome, Sunday, December 12, 2004, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Bobby Hamilton (98) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at The Georgia Dome, Sunday, December 12, 2004, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders running back J.R. Redmond (27) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at The Georgia Dome, Sunday, December 12, 2004, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Phillip Buchanon (31) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at The Georgia Dome, Sunday, December 12, 2004, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders safety Gibril Wilson (28) and linebacker Thomas Howard (53) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 2, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Greg Spires (94) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 2, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Trevor Scott (91) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 2, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (21) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 2, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard (53) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 2, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Justin Fargas (25) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 2, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush (29) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 2, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive back Joselio Hanson (23) runs after making an interception during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders punter Shane Lechler (9) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders running back Mike Goodson (25) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore (17) makes a 25-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome, Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Stacy McGee (92) during the regular reason home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Ben Henney (50) during the regular reason home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders safety Reggie Nelson (27) during the regular reason home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during the regular reason home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tight end Clive Walford (88) makes a catch for a 31-yard touchdown during the regular reason home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, November 29, 2020, in Atlanta, Ga.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) eyes the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, November 29, 2020, in Atlanta, Ga.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, November 29, 2020, in Atlanta, Ga.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) blocks during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, November 29, 2020, in Atlanta, Ga.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, November 29, 2020, in Atlanta, Ga.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, November 29, 2020, in Atlanta, Ga.
