The Atlanta Falcons offense is balanced and explosive. Playmaker Kirk Cousins ​​- Here’s Why

In the days following his decision to sign a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta Falcons in free agency, cornerback Kirk Cousins entered into a conversation with a retired former signalman.

“Suddenly he said, ‘Kirk, when I was a free agent and looking for somewhere to go, part of what I was thinking about was the city you go to if you win, what’s going to happen in that city?’ – Cousins ​​recalled. “And he said, ‘I look at you in Atlanta and I say it’ll be a lot of fun if you win.’

“This could be a really special place to win. You should be excited about it.”

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Nearly eight months later, Cousins ​​has led the Falcons to five wins in their last six games. Atlanta is 6-3 and in first place in the standings. NFC South by two games.

Twice named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Cousins ​​overcame a slow start to become one of the NFL’s most efficient passers. He ranks seventh in the league with 258.7 passing yards per game. and No. 4 with 17 passing touchdowns on 69.2% attempts.

And by all accounts, that’s exactly how Falcons coach Raheem Morris envisioned Cousins.

“He’s ready,” Morris said. “He is able to move the ball and distribute it. He can do all the things that we described when we first met, going back to the (NFL) Combine, talking about what we were looking for, what we needed to get.” “

When Morris spoke at the Combine in February, he noted that he had a job to do because the Falcons lacked quarterback play. In January, owner Arthur Blank called starters Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke “incomplete.”

Morris said this week that it was not a hit on either player. However, Morris knew the Falcons needed better distribution through the air to get the most out of their trio of first-round weapons at tight end. Kyle Pittsreceiver Drake London and run back Bijan Robinson. Atlanta later added a free agent receiver to its roster. Darnell Mooney to your weapons.

As a result, the Falcons found better balance on offense. They have rushed for at least 100 yards in each of their last four games, and in the Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Morris said Atlanta forced the Dallas defense to aggressively stop the run.

The Cowboys’ secondary opened up. Cousins ​​capitalized, going 19-of-24 for 222 yards and three touchdowns. In years past, Atlanta’s offensive identity was centered on possession. This year, the Falcons feel like they can beat teams in a variety of ways.

“When you expose us to something in the background, it can be jarring,” Morris said. “I like how Kirk can see the whole process, walk through it and put the ball where he needs it.”

How much do the Falcons trust Cousins? Enough to consistently go for it in 4 and manageable situations. Atlanta ranks 10th in the league in fourth down attempts with 15 and has gone 6-for-6 in those situations over the last three games.

Morris said some of those aggressive decisions are driven by Cousins’ presence because the Falcons know what they’re going to get from an execution standpoint.

That sentiment extends to the offensive line, which Morris noted is excellent at creating deep pockets for Cousins.

Against Dallas, Cousins ​​hit wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud for a touchdown on a play in which McCloud was not supposed to be involved in the progression, but due to the time given to Cousins, he made his way to McCloud, who hauled in his first score in the role. Falcon.

Cousins ​​is known as a progressive passer, someone who is able to read and distribute the ball where it was not originally intended.

Without time to scan the defense, Cousins ​​becomes less effective. The Falcons’ offensive line understands this – and rose to the occasion.

“Kirk communicates great with us,” All-Pro right guard Chris Lindstrom said. “We knew our job and we just tried to push ourselves, and we know how good these guys are. So if we can give Kirk and these guys time, they’ll open up and have explosive plays.”

Communication is Cousins’ calling card, both off and on the field. His leadership was often praised and raised any questions about his ability to relate to playmakers of other generations and younger generations.

When the Falcons need someone to pick them up, Cousins, 36, usually shakes things up.

“He makes sure the whole team feels him,” McCloud said. “It’s good, man, that there’s so much stuff around you that you can just pick up and just grind through, because you can’t do it yourself.”

With his accurate passing and experienced leadership, Cousins ​​has propelled the Falcons to a record they haven’t seen since winning the NFC Championship during the 2016 season.

And yet Cousins ​​still shows more.

In the Week 8 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cousins ​​rushed for 13 yards, his longest since New Year’s Day 2023. Morris said his mobility is better than the Falcons thought.

But for the most part, defenders know how to try to stop Cousins: create pressure. The Cowboys sacked Cousins ​​twice and hit him four times, but he still got them out of the pocket.

“He’s very tough,” Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs said. “A veteran of the league, he’s seen all the looks. He’s going to do all the checks. You can’t give him a clean pocket. You have to make sure he’s moving his legs. If his feet are clean, he will leave.” be quite effective.”

Morris believed Cousins ​​had his cleanest game of the season against Tampa Bay. He followed that up with another near-flawless performance against the Cowboys.

Atlanta’s offense subsequently flourished. He ranks eighth in rushing yards (364.8 yards per game) and 12th in scoring (24.6 points per game), while breaking 30 points three times, a mark he failed to reach last season.

The Falcons are now seeking their first playoff appearance in six years. Their receivers, including leading newcomers London Mooney and McCloud, covered 93% of production numbers from last season. Pitts tied his career-high for touchdowns with three. Robinson has 935 yards in nine games. good for fourth in the NFL.

Once filled with unfulfilled promise, Atlanta’s offense is now the driving force behind the franchise’s best season of the 2020s – with Cousins ​​firmly at the helm.

“He’s just a playmaker,” Morris said. “He was able to go out there every week and get better and better. I am more proud of the leadership he was able to demonstrate throughout the entire process. Whether it was in his quarterback room or on the team, I thought it was just amazing.”

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