ATLANTA—The Atlanta Falcons should have already clinched the NFC South, but the Falcons continue to prove they are their own worst enemy. Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions on Sunday in a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Tarheeb Still, who should start playing in the Georgia Lottery, had two picks, including one returned for a 61-yard touchdown.
For Atlanta, the game was another setback in an ugly November and December full of them. Meanwhile, Los Angeles didn’t play well enough to win, but when the other team seems to be actively trying to lose, standing still is enough.
The Chargers are already one of the most improved teams in the league under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh. But they have the misfortune of playing in the AFC West, the territory of the still undefeated Chiefs, which means Los Angeles 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 via a Bijan Robinson touchdown. But that was as good as it could get for Atlanta.
Cousins started the second quarter by throwing in triple coverage and Still got 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 up 9-7, but neither team looked particularly inspired or dangerous.
He still stepped up again in the third quarter, cherry-picking a soft flash from Cousins for a 61-yard touchdown and a 17-10 lead. Frustration was evident at the reduced-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium as boos began to rise from the stands.
Atlanta’s Ray-Ray McCloud made Cousins look very good on the next series, turning a pass that could have been another pick-six into a 60-yard reception that took Atlanta to the Los Angeles 10-yard line. But Cousins was again erratic. in the red zone, and Atlanta had to settle for a field goal to cut the Charger lead to 17-13. The next time the Falcons drove deep into Chargers territory, Cousins threw another interception, ending another promising Atlanta drive.
Atlanta’s defense, which kept the Chargers out of the end zone the entire game, did its job, containing Justin Herbert and forcing the Chargers into three punts and a turnover in the second half. But the Falcon offense was unable to mount sustained and successful drives. The Falcons’ last desperate drive ended like three others: with the ball in Los Angeles’ hands.
Cousins finished the day 24-of-39 for 245 yards, no interceptions and those four crushing interceptions. Herbert only threw for 147 yards, but at least all of his receptions went to his own teammates.
Atlanta has now lost three in a row and continues to allow Tampa Bay to climb back into the NFC South race. The Chargers, on the other hand, have solidified their position in the AFC wild card, but they will have to perform more effectively than they did on Sunday if they want to advance beyond the first weekend of the playoffs. They cannot count on receiving these types of gifts from any other team they face.