The Falcons, Kirk Cousins, and a Match Made in Heck: A Deep Dive
The Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins: a story that's gone from "happily ever after" to a full-blown rom-com disaster faster than you can say "fumbled snap." Let's rewind a bit. Remember when they signed Cousins with a bum Achilles? Yeah, not the best omen. Then, there was the whole "drafting another quarterback in the top 10" shocker. As if that wasn't enough drama for one season, Cousins sputtered out of the gate, and now he's in the throes of a slump so deep it makes the Mariana Trench look like a puddle.
This whole thing is a whirlwind, isn't it? Cousins signed that big free-agent contract just weeks before Atlanta used the eighth overall pick on Michael Penix Jr., leaving everyone scratching their heads. Here's the kicker: Cousins, the seasoned vet with a hefty $62.5 million price tag (including that signing bonus), hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since early November. Yikes. Sure, there was a bye week in there, but let's be real, that stat is brutal.
Back then, it seemed like Cousins was finding his groove, both physically and figuratively (remember those ankle and Achilles issues?). But since then, the Falcons' offense has been a total trainwreck. We're talking a measly 36 points in 31 drives – one of the worst stretches in the entire NFL. Cousins himself? He's thrown zero touchdowns and a whopping six interceptions in those games, earning him a passer rating that makes even your high school QB blush.
Whispers are swirling around the league. Experts are questioning his ankle, his fit in Atlanta's scheme, and even his ability to bounce back. This Sunday, he faces a homecoming of sorts – a trip back to Minnesota, his stomping grounds for six seasons. Some folks are betting Penix could be taking snaps by Week 15. After all, the Falcons have lost three straight, their lead in the NFC South has vanished, and their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.
"Swapping quarterbacks mid-season is a big deal," confided a rival general manager who's been there, done that. "It's more than just changing a player; it sends a message to the locker room. Especially after all that money they threw at Cousins. They might not be there yet, but if he throws another game like last week, they won't have a choice."
Last week? Let's just say it was a forgettable performance. Four interceptions against a banged-up Chargers team? It was a game the Falcons could have easily won, but Cousins kept handing it right back to Jim Harbaugh's defense. That included a truly boneheaded jump ball interception in the end zone, basically sealing the deal on a 17-13 loss. With that, Atlanta slumped to 6-6, tied with Tampa Bay for the division lead (thank goodness for that early-season sweep!).
Speaking of losses, Cousins and the Falcons are a measly 2-5 outside the weak NFC South. To top it all off, his fourth-quarter interception count is a staggering seven, making him the undisputed "king" of a category no quarterback wants to lead. His fourth-quarter passer rating? Abysmal. He ranks dead last (except for poor Will Levis in Tennessee) among qualified passers. Remember, nine of the Falcons' games have been decided by a single score – that fourth-quarter slump hurts even more.
"There's no sugarcoating it, he was awful on Sunday," said a veteran NFL evaluator with years of Cousins under his belt. "That was probably his worst game in eight years. The previous two games weren't much better, but this was a disaster. Some of those throws were just inexcusable, like the late, easy pick in the flat. Rookie mistakes, man. And the end zone pick? Even worse. No excuses."
Here's the thing: Cousins did have some bright spots early on. He tossed eight touchdowns in those wild wins over Tampa Bay. But outside of those games? He's thrown nine touchdowns compared to a whopping 12 interceptions against the rest of the league. He's in a three-game touchdown drought, averaging a measly 7.0 yards per attempt. Yikes.
Outside the division, he hasn't cracked 245 passing yards in a single game all season. His passer rating in those games? A weak 81.0. Did we mention he leads the league in interceptions and has the worst interception rate of his entire starting career?
"He just doesn't look right," said a scout who's watched Cousins this season. "There's no zip on his throws. Everything
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