A Game Decided by Inches
Football is often called a game of inches, and this contest was no exception. The game boiled down to one last-minute drive, and Cousins took full advantage of the opportunity. With just 34 seconds remaining, he hit wide receiver Drake London for a 7-yard touchdown that sent the Falcons soaring ahead. The Eagles had led 21-15 after Jalen Hurts scored on a 1-yard tush-push with just under seven minutes left. But it wasn’t enough to hold off Cousins, who, with calm precision, engineered a comeback for the ages.
“We saved just enough time for those guys to go down and march down and get that game-winning touchdown,” said Falcons coach Raheem Morris. “That’s what you want out of your quarterback in the biggest moments.”
Cousins, who completed 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns, certainly rose to the occasion. His performance in the final drive was flawless, going 5 of 6 for 70 yards, showcasing why the Falcons took a gamble on him after his Achilles injury last October. It was the type of performance that not only secured the win but also signaled to the rest of the league that Cousins is still a force to be reckoned with.
The Drive That Sealed the Deal
The game’s climax was undoubtedly Cousins’ final drive. After a field goal by the Eagles gave them a six-point lead with 1:39 left on the clock, it looked like Philadelphia might escape with a win. But Cousins, showing the poise of a seasoned veteran, wasn’t about to let that happen.
Taking advantage of a soft Eagles defense and a lackluster pass rush, Cousins connected with Darnell Mooney for two crucial plays—one for 21 yards and another for 26. Those two completions were pivotal in setting up the Falcons for their final push. Then, with the pressure mounting, Cousins found London for the game-tying touchdown, burning Eagles cornerback Darius Slay in the process.
To make things even more intense, Younghoe Koo’s extra-point attempt came from 48 yards after London was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. But Koo, ever reliable, drilled the kick to give Atlanta the lead.
Mistakes and Missed Opportunities for Philadelphia
For the Eagles, it was a game of what-ifs. A couple of key plays could have changed the outcome. Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ newly acquired star running back, had a decent game with 95 yards on 22 carries. However, it was his drop late in the fourth quarter that gave the Falcons hope. Instead of securing a game-sealing first down, Barkley’s missed catch forced Philadelphia to settle for a field goal, leaving the door wide open for Cousins’ heroics.
The Eagles had their chances but couldn’t capitalize in critical moments. In the first quarter, head coach Nick Sirianni made a questionable decision to go for it on fourth-and-4 instead of taking a chip-shot field goal. Hurts’ pass fell incomplete, and the Eagles missed out on easy points.
“They made a couple more plays than we did down the stretch,” Sirianni said after the game. “We made some plays; they made more. And that’s on all of us. That starts with coaching and goes to the players. We are all responsible for the loss.”
Hurts Shows Flashes, But It’s Not Enough
Jalen Hurts had his moments in this game, especially during a second-quarter drive where he looked like the 2022 version of himself. He ran with authority, gaining significant yardage and even spiking the ball in a rare show of emotion after a 23-yard run. Despite a delay-of-game penalty following that spike, Hurts shrugged it off and continued to lead the Eagles down the field, eventually connecting with DeVonta Smith for a 7-yard touchdown.
Hurts finished the game completing 23 of 30 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown. With A.J. Brown out due to a hamstring injury, Smith stepped up, leading the Eagles with seven catches for 76 yards and that crucial score. However, it wasn’t enough to fend off Atlanta's late surge.
Hurts’ final pass of the game was intercepted by Falcons safety Jessie Bates III, sealing the win for Atlanta and triggering a wild celebration on the sideline. For all his efforts, Hurts just couldn’t deliver in the same clutch manner that Cousins did.
Bijan Robinson Continues to Impress
While Cousins stole the spotlight, rookie running back Bijan Robinson quietly had another impressive game for Atlanta. The explosive back ran for 97 yards, keeping the Eagles' defense on their toes throughout the night. He was stuffed late on a fourth-and-1 attempt, but his overall performance showed why the Falcons are so high on him. With Robinson in the backfield and Cousins under center, Atlanta’s offense is shaping up to be a dangerous unit this season.
What’s Next for the Falcons and Eagles?
For the Falcons, this win could be a major turning point in their season. At 1-1, they’ll head back home to face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, a true test of their mettle. Cousins will need to maintain his clutch performances if Atlanta is to stand a chance against Patrick Mahomes and company.
As for the Eagles, they’ll look to bounce back next Sunday when they travel to New Orleans to face the Saints. With a 1-1 record, they’ll need to iron out some of their mistakes if they want to avoid falling behind in the NFC standings.
Foles Gets His Moment
One of the more sentimental moments of the night came before the game, as former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who led Philadelphia to its only Super Bowl title, was honored. Foles served as an honorary captain and led the crowd in a spirited rendition of “Fly, Eagles, Fly.” For a few moments, Eagles fans could reminisce about their Super Bowl glory, but that celebration quickly turned to frustration as Cousins and the Falcons spoiled the party.
Injuries
The Falcons were without linebacker Nate Landman, who missed the game due to calf and quad injuries. His absence was felt, but Atlanta’s defense managed to hold on when it counted.
This game was the perfect example of why football is so unpredictable and why Kirk Cousins is far from done in this league.
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