The Atlanta Falcons managed to halt their four-game losing skid on Monday night, eking out a hard-fought 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Despite the much-needed win, which kept the Falcons’ slim hopes of capturing the NFC South crown alive, questions continue to swirl around the team’s quarterback situation.
Cousins’ Struggles Continue
Kirk Cousins, the Falcons’ prized free-agent acquisition, endured another lackluster performance, completing just 11 of 17 passes for a meager 112 yards. While he did manage to toss one touchdown pass, a 30-yard lob to rookie sensation Drake London in the first quarter, Cousins also threw a costly interception, bringing his total to nine picks over his last five outings.
The veteran signal-caller’s lone touchdown pass snapped a four-game drought, dating back to the Falcons’ Week 9 contest when the team sat atop the division with a promising 6-3 record. Since then, Cousins’ play has been marred by turnovers and inconsistency, leaving many to question whether the $180 million man is the right fit for Atlanta’s offense.
Morris: “He’s Got to Play Better”
Following the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris did not mince words when addressing his quarterback’s performance. “He’s got to play better and obviously you got to go back, you got to get to look at everything,” Morris stated bluntly. “But he wants to play better. He’s got to play better. We’ve got to find a way to get him to play better.”
When pressed on whether he was considering a change at the position, Morris demurred, noting that the team had invested heavily in Cousins during the offseason. The Falcons also used their first-round draft pick on highly-touted quarterback prospect Michael Penix Jr., but it appears the rookie will have to bide his time for now.
Ground Game Takes Center Stage
With Cousins struggling to find his footing, the Falcons leaned heavily on their running back tandem of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The duo combined for 34 carries, as Atlanta made a concerted effort to establish the ground game and take some of the pressure off their embattled quarterback.
In fact, the Falcons’ commitment to the run was so pronounced that Cousins did not attempt a single pass on first down during the entire first half, a first in his 13-year NFL career. The conservative game plan yielded mixed results, as the Falcons converted just 4 of 13 third-down opportunities.
Cousins: “I Need to Play Better”
For his part, Cousins acknowledged that his recent performances have not been up to par. “I don’t think that’s a mystery,” the veteran quarterback admitted when asked about Morris’ comments. “I think the last few weeks I would say I need to play better. Raheem says it, but it’s stating the obvious and every week you kind of go through your process and you plan to go out there and play the very best you can.”
So that you’re not putting the ball in harm’s way and not trying to be too aggressive. And I think that’s really the key. Protect the football.
Kirk Cousins on his decision-making process
Cousins pointed to his decision-making as the primary culprit for his recent struggles, noting that he needs to do a better job of protecting the football and avoiding the temptation to force throws. While he did manage to limit his interceptions to one against the Raiders, it’s clear that the veteran still has plenty of work to do to regain his form.
Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread
Despite the victory, the Falcons’ postseason aspirations remain on life support. At 7-7, Atlanta finds itself in a tight race for the NFC South title, with the surging Carolina Panthers and the inconsistent Tampa Bay Buccaneers still very much in the mix.
If the Falcons hope to make a late-season push and secure a playoff berth, they’ll need Cousins to rediscover the form that made him one of the league’s most sought-after free agents just a few short months ago. With games against the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills on the horizon, time is running out for the veteran signal-caller to right the ship.
Looking Ahead
As the Falcons prepare for the final stretch of the regular season, all eyes will be on Cousins and his ability to lead the offense. While the team’s defense has shown flashes of brilliance, ranking among the league’s best in several key categories, it’s the quarterback position that will ultimately determine Atlanta’s fate.
For Cousins, the path forward is clear: cut down on the turnovers, make better decisions with the football, and find a way to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers. If he can do that, the Falcons may yet have a chance to salvage their season and make some noise in the postseason.
But if the veteran continues to struggle, the calls for change will only grow louder, and the Falcons may be forced to confront some difficult decisions about their future at the game’s most important position. For now, though, the focus remains on the task at hand: finding a way to win games and keep their playoff hopes alive, one week at a time.
The veteran signal-caller’s lone touchdown pass snapped a four-game drought, dating back to the Falcons’ Week 9 contest when the team sat atop the division with a promising 6-3 record. Since then, Cousins’ play has been marred by turnovers and inconsistency, leaving many to question whether the $180 million man is the right fit for Atlanta’s offense.
Morris: “He’s Got to Play Better”
Following the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris did not mince words when addressing his quarterback’s performance. “He’s got to play better and obviously you got to go back, you got to get to look at everything,” Morris stated bluntly. “But he wants to play better. He’s got to play better. We’ve got to find a way to get him to play better.”
When pressed on whether he was considering a change at the position, Morris demurred, noting that the team had invested heavily in Cousins during the offseason. The Falcons also used their first-round draft pick on highly-touted quarterback prospect Michael Penix Jr., but it appears the rookie will have to bide his time for now.
Ground Game Takes Center Stage
With Cousins struggling to find his footing, the Falcons leaned heavily on their running back tandem of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The duo combined for 34 carries, as Atlanta made a concerted effort to establish the ground game and take some of the pressure off their embattled quarterback.
In fact, the Falcons’ commitment to the run was so pronounced that Cousins did not attempt a single pass on first down during the entire first half, a first in his 13-year NFL career. The conservative game plan yielded mixed results, as the Falcons converted just 4 of 13 third-down opportunities.
Cousins: “I Need to Play Better”
For his part, Cousins acknowledged that his recent performances have not been up to par. “I don’t think that’s a mystery,” the veteran quarterback admitted when asked about Morris’ comments. “I think the last few weeks I would say I need to play better. Raheem says it, but it’s stating the obvious and every week you kind of go through your process and you plan to go out there and play the very best you can.”
So that you’re not putting the ball in harm’s way and not trying to be too aggressive. And I think that’s really the key. Protect the football.
Kirk Cousins on his decision-making process
Cousins pointed to his decision-making as the primary culprit for his recent struggles, noting that he needs to do a better job of protecting the football and avoiding the temptation to force throws. While he did manage to limit his interceptions to one against the Raiders, it’s clear that the veteran still has plenty of work to do to regain his form.
Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread
Despite the victory, the Falcons’ postseason aspirations remain on life support. At 7-7, Atlanta finds itself in a tight race for the NFC South title, with the surging Carolina Panthers and the inconsistent Tampa Bay Buccaneers still very much in the mix.
If the Falcons hope to make a late-season push and secure a playoff berth, they’ll need Cousins to rediscover the form that made him one of the league’s most sought-after free agents just a few short months ago. With games against the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills on the horizon, time is running out for the veteran signal-caller to right the ship.
Looking Ahead
As the Falcons prepare for the final stretch of the regular season, all eyes will be on Cousins and his ability to lead the offense. While the team’s defense has shown flashes of brilliance, ranking among the league’s best in several key categories, it’s the quarterback position that will ultimately determine Atlanta’s fate.
For Cousins, the path forward is clear: cut down on the turnovers, make better decisions with the football, and find a way to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers. If he can do that, the Falcons may yet have a chance to salvage their season and make some noise in the postseason.
But if the veteran continues to struggle, the calls for change will only grow louder, and the Falcons may be forced to confront some difficult decisions about their future at the game’s most important position. For now, though, the focus remains on the task at hand: finding a way to win games and keep their playoff hopes alive, one week at a time.
