The Atlanta Falcons' Recent Struggles
The Atlanta Falcons' journey through the past month has been marred with difficulties as they have yet to notch a victory in their last four engagements. The team's offensive struggles are apparent, underlined by their meager scoring average of 14.25 points per game over this period. This lackluster performance has placed the Falcons in a precarious position as they trail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by just one game in the standings.
While the Falcons' offensive maneuvering has been suspect, their defense tells a different tale. Between Weeks 11 and 13, Atlanta's defense demonstrated a commendable performance, securing the eighth spot in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play during non-garbage-time situations. This statistic hints at the potential within their ranks, yet it has not translated into the crucial victories needed to propel them up the standings.
A bright spot for Atlanta could be the emergence of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was the No. 8 overall pick in last April's draft. Penix is viewed as a key component for the Falcons' future, offering the promise of revitalizing the franchise with his potential.
Kirk Cousins' Quandary
Meanwhile, the performance of Kirk Cousins has been an enigma this season. Acquired in March with a $100 million fully guaranteed contract, Cousins was expected to be a linchpin for steady offensive production. His recent output, however, has been alarming. Over the last four games, Cousins has thrown eight interceptions without a single touchdown to his name, a statistic that has surely raised eyebrows across the NFL landscape.
Fourth quarters have been particularly challenging for Cousins, where he holds a passer rating of just 56, having completed two touchdowns against eight interceptions. His completion rate in these crucial closing moments stands at 61.2%, with an average of 6.20 yards per attempt. These figures starkly contrast with his historical performance in Atlanta, where Cousins has enjoyed a 67% completion rate and achieved 7.8 yards per attempt. Similar stats are noted from his time in Minnesota, where he maintained a 67.8% completion rate with a 7.6-yard average. These numbers reflect a past potential that has been elusive in recent appearances.
Close Calls and Upcoming Challenges
Intriguingly, nine of Atlanta’s 13 games this season have remained within a single score heading into the fourth quarter. This statistic underscores the competitive nature of their matches, even if they haven’t ended in their favor. Looking ahead, the Falcons face a challenging slate with games against the Raiders, Giants, Commanders, and Panthers. Each matchup presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for redemption.
The challenge remains for head coach Arthur Smith to harness the defensive capabilities and translate them into comprehensive performances that yield victories. The burden is heavy, given the demanding nature of the NFL and the high expectations of fans and stakeholders alike.
For Kirk Cousins, the path to redemption is clear: he must improve his decision-making to limit turnovers and re-establish himself as the quarterback capable of leading his team to success. The transformative power of penalties or big plays — hallmarks of competitive NFL play — must be embraced if Cousins is to reverse his fortunes and meet the lofty expectations that accompany his lucrative contract.
In a season full of surprises and setbacks, both the Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins face significant challenges as they strive to rewrite their narratives. With a discerning eye on their next encounters, the onus is on them to forge a path toward triumph in the face of recent adversity.