LAS VEGAS — It was not a dazzling affair, but the Atlanta Falcons, desperate for a victory, did enough to end their four-game losing streak.

It was not decided until safety Jessie Bates III came down with an interception in the end zone as time expired on a Las Vegas Raiders’ pass into the end zone.

Behind the running of Bijan Robinson, a safety and three field goals from Younghoe Koo, the Falcons defeated the Raiders and former quarterback Desmond Ridder, 15-9, Monday at Allegiant Stadium.

With the passing attack sputtering, the Falcons leaned on Robinson and Tyler Allgeier and they delivered. Robinson rushed 22 times for 125 yards and Allgeier rushed 12 times for 43 yards.

The Falcons improved to 7-7 on the season. They trail the Bucs (8-6) by one game with three to play in the NFC South. The Raiders dropped to 2-12 on the season.

The Falcons are also in the chase for a wild-card spot in the playoffs. The Falcons have not reached the playoffs since the 2017 season.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins ended his touchdown drought, but also threw another interception.

Ridder, who started for the Raiders, was not a major threat as he also threw an interception and a late touchdown pass. He didn’t get the Raiders into the Falcons’ red zone until under three minutes to play, but because the Falcons couldn’t run out the clock, Ridder had a chance to pull out the victory with 1:50 to play, no timeouts and 80 yards to go. He drove the Raiders to the Falcons’ 35 and had two shots into the end zone to pull out the victory.

With the win, the Falcons matched their win total of the three previous seasons under former coach Arthur Smith.

Behind a strike from Cousins to Drake London and a safety, the Falcons held a 9-3 lead at halftime.

The Raiders opened the game with a false start, but picked up a couple of first downs as they moved out to midfield. But Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss sniffed out the Raiders’ gadget play and sacked wide receiver Jacobi Meyers, who was attempting a double-pass, for a 10-yard loss.

After a stop by rookie defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, Dee Alford forced Las Vegas running back Alexander Mattison to fumble. The ball was recovered by cornerback Kevin King.

The Falcons’ ensuing drive stalled at the Raiders’ 38. The Falcons elected to punt instead of sending out Koo for a 55-yard field goal attempt indoors. He made a 58-yard field goal earlier this season to beat the New Orleans Saints.

After a punt by the Raiders, Cousins tossed a 30-yard touchdown to wide receiver London, who put a double move on Raiders cornerback Jack Jones, and was wide open. Cousins sold the first move with a pump fake.

It was Cousins’ first touchdown pass since third quarter of the Dallas game on Nov. 3.

The Raiders answered with a 52-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson to make it 7-3.

The Falcons next possession stalled at the Raiders’ 38. The Falcons sent out Koo, but they didn’t kick the ball as they bizarrely tried to draw the Raiders’ field goal unit offsides.

After moving back five yards, Bradley Pinion came in to punt. Raiders returner Ameer Abdullah made a fair catch at the 3-yard line.

Falcons defensive tackle Kentavious Street dropped Mattison for a 2-yard loss and on the next play Zach Harrison tackled Mattison in the end zone for a safety.

After the free kick, the Falcons were forced to punt. The Raiders ran out the clock to end the first half.

On the Falcons’ first possession of the second half, Cousins’ pass over the middle intended for tight end Charlie Woerner was interception by Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane. Cousins now leads the league with 16 interceptions.

After the Raiders’ possession stalled, special teams maven KhaDarel Hodge, who’d tipped a punt earlier had a block.

The Falcon had the ball at the Raiders’ 37, but the drive stalled at the 22. Koo came on to make a 40-yard field goal to make it 12-3.

After an exchange of punts, Koo made a 48-yard field goal to make it 15-3 with 13:26 to play.

Koo missed a 42-yard field goal attempt wide right.

Ridder tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Abdullah with 2:54 to play. The extra point attempt was blocked by Antonio Hamilton Sr. to make it 15-9.

The Falcons are set to host the New York Giants (2-12) at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Giants have lost their last nine games.

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