The Atlanta Falcons finally ended their four-game losing streak and kept their playoff dreams alive with a gritty 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Monday night. However, despite the victory, the Falcons still face a glaring issue that could hold them back from any serious postseason run: their quarterback play.
Kirk Cousins, the veteran quarterback the Falcons are relying on this season, had a mixed performance that left much to be desired. Completing just 11-of-17 passes for 112 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, Cousins' game was overshadowed by a heavy reliance on the running game. The Falcons leaned on their star running backs, Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, who combined for a staggering 34 carries, showing that the ground attack was the primary weapon. In fact, Cousins' lone touchdown pass came in the first quarter on a 30-yard lob to wide receiver Drake London, marking his first touchdown pass since Week 9 when the Falcons were cruising at 6-3 and sitting atop the NFC South.
Despite the win, Cousins' struggles are hard to ignore. He has thrown nine interceptions in his last five games, and during that stretch, he's managed just one touchdown pass. The Falcons’ offensive success seems to hinge more on their rushing game than any passing contributions from Cousins, who just doesn’t seem to be clicking lately. The touchdown to London was a glimmer of hope for the Falcons' passing game, but it's also a reminder that Cousins has struggled to find the end zone consistently.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was frank in his assessment of Cousins’ performance. "He's got to play better, and obviously, you got to go back, you got to look at everything," Morris said. "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." This quote reflects the pressure that is mounting on Cousins, who is expected to deliver but is falling short of expectations. While Morris didn't outright say he was considering a quarterback change, the frustration is palpable, especially when the team drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the April NFL Draft. This move was made just weeks after the Falcons signed Cousins to a massive four-year, $180 million free-agent deal, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
At 7-7, the Falcons' playoff hopes are still alive, but the inconsistency at quarterback is a real concern. Against the Raiders, Cousins didn't throw a pass on first down in the first half—something that's never happened in his 13-year career. This speaks volumes about how much the team was committed to running the ball and limiting the risk in the passing game. Just the previous week, Cousins threw for 344 yards against the Minnesota Vikings, but that came with two interceptions as well. Against the Raiders, though, the big plays were noticeably absent. The Falcons struggled on third down, converting just 4-of-13 attempts, which highlights the continuing issues with Cousins' play.
Cousins’ performance is somewhat of a mixed bag. Morris acknowledged that there was improvement after Cousins’ four-interception disaster against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13. But when asked if Monday's performance was an improvement or a step backward, Cousins admitted that it was "a little of both," pointing to decision-making as the biggest challenge. "So that you're not putting the ball in harm's way and not trying to be too aggressive," Cousins explained. "And I think that's really the key. Protect the football."
While this was the fewest interceptions Cousins has thrown in his last three games, it’s important to note that he's still leading the league in interceptions (16) and fumbles (12, tied with Baker Mayfield). That’s a concerning stat for any team, especially one with playoff aspirations. However, there's a silver lining: Cousins didn't fumble the ball in this game. Small wins, but wins nonetheless.
When asked about his coach’s public remarks about needing to play better, Cousins didn’t mince words. "I don't think that's a mystery," he said. "I think the last few weeks I would say I need to play better." It's clear that Cousins knows the stakes are high, and despite the frustration, he's focused on improving. "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. And so, this week will be no different."
Cousins’ awareness of his shortcomings is important, but the Falcons need him to take it a step further. The playoffs are within reach, but with a quarterback who is struggling to make decisions and produce big plays, Atlanta’s chances are limited. It’s no secret that Cousins’ struggles could ultimately determine the fate of the Falcons’ season. While their running game can carry them to a certain point, they need more from their passing attack to compete against the NFL’s elite teams.
Moving forward, Morris and the Falcons’ coaching staff will need to figure out how to get Cousins back to his peak performance. The team is built around a strong defense and an explosive rushing attack, but to make a real playoff push, they’ll need a more consistent and effective quarterback play. This may involve a deeper dive into Cousins’ decision-making process, perhaps simplifying the offense to give him better options or even altering his approach to limit mistakes.
Ultimately, the Falcons' season hinges on whether Cousins can find a way to protect the football, limit his turnovers, and make more plays in the passing game. The win over the Raiders was a necessary step, but the road ahead will require more than just an average performance from the quarterback. Atlanta fans are hoping that Cousins can regain the form that made him one of the most sought-after free agents earlier in the year, but time is running out.
As the Falcons aim to get back on track and make a run at the NFC South title, one thing is clear: they need their quarterback to step up. If Cousins can elevate his play, the Falcons could be dangerous in the postseason. But if the struggles continue, it might be a long road ahead for Atlanta, and even a division title may not be enough to overcome the glaring weakness at quarterback.
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