Kirk Cousins has called on the Las Vegas Raiders to find ways to close out games after their 33-30 defeat to the Buffalo Bills extended their losing streak to three matches.
The Raiders pushed Buffalo all the way but were unable to secure a result despite a late fightback.
Cousins finished with 313 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception from 23 completions on 41 attempts.
Las Vegas have now lost three consecutive games and out of those two were while remaining in contention late in the game, leaving the veteran quarterback demanding greater execution in crucial moments.
Kirk Cousins explains what the Las Vegas Raiders must improve after Buffalo Bills defeat
Speaking after the loss, Cousins stressed the importance of maintaining the team’s preparation while addressing the mistakes that have contributed to their recent results.
“All I know to do is go back to work, to have candid conversations on Monday that make us better as a football team, to have your process, the habits that get you ready to play well, and then to go through that process to not change anything when you’re winning, to not change too much when you’re losing,” Cousins told reporters.
The quarterback also acknowledged that the team must identify specific areas for improvement rather than overhaul its approach.
The Raiders’ passing game offered some encouragement, with Tre Tucker, Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers all recording at least 70 receiving yards. Tucker caught five passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
However, Cousins admitted that missed opportunities in the red zone and costly turnovers had made the difference.
“There’s no doubt that that’s what it is,” Cousins said when discussing the team’s difficulty closing out games. “We have to find ways to close.”
He pointed to several key mistakes, including an interception that gave Buffalo a short field and an inability to convert scoring opportunities into touchdowns.
The Raiders also had a chance to respond late in the fourth quarter. After Buffalo extended its lead to 33-23 with a field goal, Cousins connected with Tucker for a 44-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to three points.
Las Vegas could not complete the comeback, leaving Cousins with a clear message for his teammates. “We have to make plays, be smart, and manage the game well,” he said.
The Raiders will need to turn that message into results if they are to stop their losing streak and start converting close contests into victories.
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