ATLANTA — In a matchup that saw the Los Angeles Chargers defeat the Atlanta Falcons 17-13, rookie Tarheen Still made headlines with a remarkable performance. Still not only returned an interception for a 61-yard touchdown but also secured a second interception, contributing to an overall disappointing outing for Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who threw four interceptions in total. The loss marked the Falcons’ third consecutive defeat, placing their record at 6-6 and raising concerns about their quarterback situation.
The Chargers, improving their record to 8-4, faced a challenging game characterized by several setbacks, including five sacks and a mishandled fake punt. Nonetheless, they persevered against a listless offensive performance that produced minimal yardage. Cousins, who at 36 years of age, struggled in crucial moments, particularly on a fourth-and-5 pass at the Los Angeles 40 late in the third quarter. Still anticipated the play perfectly, intercepting a pass intended for Darnell Mooney and racing down the sideline for a touchdown that ultimately secured the victory for the Chargers.
Earlier in the game, Still also intercepted Cousins on the first play of the second quarter, giving a glimpse of the difficulties ahead for the veteran quarterback. This performance is likely to intensify discussions regarding a potential change at quarterback for the Falcons, particularly in light of the presence of first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. Cousins’ final two possessions culminated in interceptions, both occurring at pivotal moments when scoring was essential to salvage the game. This marked just the second time in Cousins’ career that he had thrown four interceptions in a single game, the previous instance occurring back in 2014.
One notable interception came on a poor decision by Cousins, delivering a throw towards the back of the end zone that was intercepted by Marcus Maye, a recent addition to the Chargers. The veteran quarterback showed visible frustration, putting his hands on his helmet in disbelief. In the final moments, while attempting to orchestrate a last-minute drive, Cousins was again intercepted, this time by Derwin James Jr. at the Los Angeles 24-yard line.
Despite the win, the Chargers’ offensive struggle was evident as they managed only two first downs in the second half and were outgained by the Falcons, racking up just 350 total yards compared to Atlanta’s 187. Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ quarterback, threw for a mere 147 yards, while the running game was ineffective, missing top back J.K. Dobbins. Cameron Dicker secured all Chargers points with three field goals.
Cousins concluded the game with a stat line of 24 completions on 39 attempts totaling 245 yards. Fellow kicker Younghoe Koo contributed with two successful field goals but also missed a 35-yard attempt after dealing with hip issues during practice earlier in the week.
Injury updates reflected the Chargers’ challenges: Dobbins, dealing with a knee sprain, was placed on injured reserve, forcing the team to adapt their running strategy. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey exited the game due to a knee injury after a solid performance of nine receptions for 117 yards. For the Falcons, they signed kicker Riley Patterson as a precaution but ultimately did not require his services.
Looking ahead, the Chargers are set to continue their road trip as they face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday, while the Falcons will travel to Minnesota the same day to take on the Vikings.
