Struggles and Hopes: Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins Face Critical Moments
The Atlanta Falcons are navigating a rocky path this season, marked by a four-game winless streak and offensive struggles that need addressing to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Despite showing resilience, the Falcons are averaging only 14.25 points per game in their last four contests, underscoring the urgent need for offensive dynamism.
Spotlight on the Falcons' Defense
Amidst offensive challenges, the Falcons' defense has been a beacon of hope. Between Week 11 and Week 13, Atlanta's defense has made significant strides, ranking eighth in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play during non-garbage-time. This metric highlights their defensive proficiency in preventing opposing teams from scoring effectively. The defense's ability to suppress rival offenses is a critical asset as they prepare for upcoming games against the Raiders, Giants, Commanders, and Panthers.
Kirk Cousins: A Struggling Quarterback
On the opposite spectrum, Kirk Cousins is experiencing a tumultuous period, following the acquisition of a staggering $100 million fully guaranteed contract in March. Cousins' recent performances have failed to justify this hefty investment, throwing eight interceptions and failing to score a single touchdown in his last four games. His fourth-quarter struggles are particularly concerning, with a passer rating of just 56 in these pivotal moments, coupled with eight interceptions against only two touchdowns.
His fourth-quarter completion rate of 61.2% with 6.20 yards per attempt indicates a need for improvement as games progress to the crucial final moments. Historically, Cousins has maintained a 67% completion rate and averaged 7.8 yards per attempt in Atlanta, statistics that starkly contrast with his recent declines.
Games Down to the Wire
The Falcons find themselves in nail-biting scenarios more often than not, with nine out of their 13 games being within a single score entering the fourth quarter. This statistic underscores the competitive nature of their matches and the team's ability to remain in contention until the last whistle, despite offensive shortcomings.
Future Prospects
Adding to their arsenal, the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. as the No. 8 overall pick last April, providing a potential boost to their offensive capabilities. As the team gears up for their critical matchups against league rivals, every point becomes pivotal, especially given that they trail the 7-6 Buccaneers by just one game. Maintaining their focus and leveraging defensive strengths, Atlanta aims to break their winless streak and reignite their playoff hopes.
For Kirk Cousins, the challenge remains to recalibrate and defy recent struggles. With his historical performance in Atlanta as a benchmark, there remains room for retrieval. As both the Falcons and Cousins confront pivotal junctures, their performances will be scrutinized under the watchful eyes of fans and critics alike. The forthcoming games will serve as a barometer for their respective futures in the ongoing saga of this NFL season.