ATLANTA — Just a week after Kirk Cousins set both a personal and team record by throwing for 509 yards and four touchdowns in a dramatic 36-30 overtime victory against Tampa Bay, the Atlanta Falcons showcased their ability to dominate on the ground.
This dual-threat offense raises confidence for the Falcons in their quest to break their six-year playoff drought.
In their latest game, the Falcons finished their initial stretch against NFC South teams with an impressive 38-20 triumph over Carolina, where Bijan Robinson ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns while Tyler Allgeier contributed with 105 yards and another score.
Atlanta’s record stands at 4-2, allowing them to keep pace with Tampa Bay at the top of their division after securing their third straight win over an NFC South rival.
While Cousins’ record-setting performance may be hard for first-year head coach Raheem Morris and his revamped Falcons to match, the strong performance from the rushing attack highlighted the team’s versatility on offense.
Morris opted to honor the entire offensive line with the game ball instead of singling out a specific running back. This decision was fitting, as Cousins enjoyed a clean pocket, throwing for 225 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Robinson averaged an impressive 6.3 yards per carry, while Allgeier maintained a solid 5.8 yards per attempt.
“Last week they gave us the pass, and we took advantage of that,” Morris remarked. “This week we established the run, utilizing both Tyler and Bijan effectively. The offensive line took pride in that accomplishment.”
On the defensive side, Atlanta’s secondary notched two turnovers with interceptions from A.J. Terrell and Clark Phillips III. The latter was able to avoid a touchdown by choosing to slide down on his interception, allowing the Falcons to run out the game clock. Terrell’s interception marked his first since the final week of the 2021 season against Buffalo.
Despite registering four tackles for loss, including two from defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, the Falcons’ defense again failed to tally a sack, continuing to place them at the bottom of the league with just five sacks overall.
In brighter news, tight end Kyle Pitts enjoyed a productive day, catching three passes for 70 yards, marking his first stretch of consecutive games with over 55 yards since his rookie season. One of his standout plays against the Panthers was a memorable 52-yard reception, showcasing his capability even on a day that featured a less significant focus on the passing game.
Cousins faced challenges, struggling with rhythm early in the game, which may have been detrimental against a stronger opponent. He started poorly, completing only two of his first seven passes, including two misfires intended for Drake London. Furthermore, there appeared to be some miscommunication during a critical moment when Pitts seemed to abandon a route in the end zone. Overall, Cousins connected on 19 of 30 attempts, which would generally be solid but seemed disappointing compared to his recent outstanding performance.
Injury concerns are also looming for the Falcons, as safety Micah Abernathy suffered a knee injury early in the first quarter, leading to his exit from the game. Additionally, Justin Simmons left in the fourth quarter due to a hamstring issue.
A key statistic to note is that Younghoe Koo has successfully completed 65 consecutive field goals from 40 yards or less, hitting from 21, 31, and 35 yards against the Panthers. Throughout his career, he has converted 100 of 102 attempts from distances not exceeding 40 yards.
Looking ahead, the Falcons will return home to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, who are currently struggling with three consecutive losses, aiming to continue their winning momentum.