ATLANTA — After securing a significant free-agent deal with the Falcons, Kirk Cousins connected with a retired quarterback for insights about his upcoming journey in Atlanta. The quarterback, who preferred to remain unnamed, provided a fresh perspective on the struggles associated with a franchise that has endured six consecutive losing seasons and is infamously remembered for squandering a 28-3 lead during the Super Bowl.
The conversation highlighted a more optimistic outlook. Cousins recalled, “I look at you in Atlanta, and I say that could be really fun if you win. That could be a really special place to win.” Fast forward to nine games into Cousins’ tenure, and the Falcons are indeed enjoying a thrilling season.
Holding a solid first-place position in the NFC South with a record of 6-3, the Falcons are on track for their first playoff appearance since the 2017 season. Cousins has substantially contributed to this revival, justifying the four-year, $180 million contract he received. With a remarkable 2,328 passing yards— including a standout 509-yard performance in an overtime win against Tampa Bay—Cousins stands among the league’s leaders. His statistics reflect 17 touchdown passes against seven interceptions, a significant upgrade over the quarterback performances the Falcons had seen since Matt Ryan’s departure.
Comparing the current situation to last season’s quarterbacking, Cousins has already matched the total touchdown count of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke combined while committing far fewer errors. Currently averaging nearly 259 yards per game, Cousins’ performance speaks volumes against the 220-yard average of last year’s quarterbacks.
Atlanta’s offensive line has benefitted from an array of weapons including running back Bijan Robinson, receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts. Coach Raheem Morris expressed his belief in Cousins, noting, “Kirk Cousins is exactly what I thought he was. He’s poised. He’s able to spread the ball around. He’s just a playmaker.” This confidence, combined with Morris’s enthusiastic coaching style, has fueled Atlanta’s resurgence.
Despite the positive strides, Morris recognizes that six victories are just a stepping stone. He stated, “This organization deserves more, this team deserves more, and these coaches deserve more. We are hungry, man. We just want to go out there and keep getting them.”
In terms of gameplay, the running combination of Robinson and Tyler Allgeier has proven effective, allowing Cousins ample opportunities to showcase his skills in the passing game. Robinson, selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2023 draft, has shone with 632 rushing yards and 38 receptions for 303 yards. “He’s a big deal,” Cousins emphasized, praising Robinson’s dual-threat capabilities.
However, not all aspects have gone smoothly. Even after securing three sacks in a recent win against Dallas, Atlanta ranks low in the league with only nine quarterback sacks this season. This issue has plagued the franchise, as they have not had a player reach double-digit sacks since Vic Beasley in 2016. Leading the current team is Grady Jarrett, with a modest 2.5 sacks.
Another noteworthy addition has been wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who has emerged as a significant contributor after moving from the Bears. He pairs effectively with London, boasting 41 receptions for 588 yards along with five touchdowns this season—a personal best.
On the downside, the trade for veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon has not yielded the expected results. Judon has managed just 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits thus far this season, far below his impressive 15.5 sacks from two years ago while with the Patriots.
Injury concerns linger over linebacker Troy Andersen, who has been sidelined for five games, and center Drew Dalman, who hasn’t played since Week 3, though there’s optimism regarding their return. Additionally, both Jarrett and London are dealing with minor injuries, listed as day-to-day.
As for ongoing efforts, the Falcons have a third-down conversion rate of 38.8 percent, which Cousins aims to enhance. “There’s plenty there to clean up,” he remarked.
Looking at the road ahead, Atlanta’s upcoming schedule is manageable, featuring opponents with a collective record of 31-39. However, five of their matches will take place away from home. A significant challenge lies ahead in a December 29 matchup against the Washington Commanders, who currently hold an impressive 7-2 record and are coached by former Falcons coach Dan Quinn.