A month ago, a postseason return for the first time since 2017 looked well on its way for the Atlanta Falcons.
Following a Nov. 3 home win over the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta sat at 6-3 with a two-game lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South race. Fast forward a month, and the Falcons have lost three in a row and are tied with Tampa Bay atop the division standings.
Of the three losses, Sunday’s was arguably the toughest to swallow for Atlanta fans. The Falcons’ much-maligned defensive front, which had mustered an NFL-worst 10 sacks heading into Week 13, brought Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert down five times in the backfield.
However, Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions, including the eventual game-losing pick-6 to Tarheeb Still with 1:39 left in the third quarter. In the Falcons’ 17-13 home defeat, Atlanta outgained Los Angeles 350-187, but couldn’t get out of its own way.
In Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a large group of Falcons fans were calling for the mid-game benching of Cousins, who tied his career high with the four picks. The Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in last year’s NFL draft just a month after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Despite Cousins’ struggles, first-year head coach Raheem Morris plans to stand pat.
“(Sunday) was Kirk’s worst game or second-worst game in his career having a four-pick day,” Morris said in Monday’s press conference. “But I feel good about Kirk, just who he is and the faith that he has in his ability and the faith that he has to come back and lead this football team.
“… (Cousins) is really accountable. When things go wrong and it’s something that he feels he should have done better, he’ll be the first to tell you. This guy has carried us all year and has put us in this position.”
Penix, speaking to reporters Monday, said he will be ready whenever his name is called but added “it’s not up to me” to say he should step in as QB1.
“He’s a vet,” Penix said of Cousins. “He’s been in a lot of different situations, so I have no doubt that he’s going to bounce back from this and he’s going to be great this weekend and for the rest of the season.”
Cousins, who hasn’t thrown a touchdown since the Nov. 3 victory, will try to rebound this Sunday in Minnesota against a Vikings team with whom he spent the 2018-23 seasons.
Atlanta still controls its destiny in the NFC South after sweeping Tampa Bay.
For the Atlanta pass rush that Morris said “showed a glimpse of what you’d like to see every week,” Arnold Ebiketie tallied two sacks, while David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss and Kentavius Street each recorded a solo sack. Looking to help create momentum for the home stretch of the regular season, Morris said he expects rookie defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) to return from the injured reserve.
–Field Level Media