Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons did not get the result they wanted in the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, falling 20-17 to the New Orleans Saints in a game full of missed opportunities.
While it’s easy point to is the missed field goals by placekicker Younghoe Koo, who is usually rock solid for this team, Cousins and made it clear that wasn’t the only issue on Sunday.
A slow start by the offense and an inability to finish drives also played a huge role in the Falcons coming out on the wrong side of this one.
“It leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” said Cousins, who threw a crucial interception into the hands of Saints defender Tyrann Mathieu in the final minutes.
Cousins had a decent day outside of the pick, completing 23 of 38 pass attempts for 306 yards and one interception, but it wasn’t his best work.
While Koo took a lot of the blame for the team’s fourth loss of the season, Cousins seemed to blame himself for putting Koo in that position by settling for field goals.
For as many yards as the team put up, Atlanta made some critical miscues. The team went 1-for-4 in the red zone, lost the turnover battle and nearly turned it over a second time when Cousins fumbled after taking a sack.
The offense also made some questionable calls in the closing seconds with a chance to send the game to overtime. Poor clock management on the last drive led to a sloppy final play and another wasted chance.
Cousins and Koo will attempt to redeem themselves when the Falcons face the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 17.
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