Tag: Kirk Cousins

A familiar face could be the Vikings playoff opponent in opening round

As of now, the Vikings are projected to face Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.

It’s not impossible for the Vikings to receive a first-round bye, but with the Detroit Lions extremely hot, Minnesota will need some magic to win the NFC North. If the Vikings can’t beat out the Lions, they would likely get a five—or six-seed in the playoffs.

According to the latest playoff predictor, the Vikings would be the fifth seed and get the chance to play a familiar face in the first round on the road. They would have to go to Atlanta to play the fourth-seed Falcons, who obviously have Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback.

Cousins has had an up-and-down season with Atlanta in his first season away from the Vikings. Cousins was benched this past weekend after the Falcons were down late to the Denver Broncos.

In 2024, Cousins has passed for 2,807 yards and thrown for 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. For Viking fans, beating Cousins in the first round would be a dream scenario.

All 32 NFL QBs (including Kirk Cousins) ranked by passing yards

All 32 NFL quarterbacks (including Falcons QB Kirk Cousins) ranked by total passing yards entering Week 12

The Atlanta Falcons are on a two-game losing streak, but they have a bye week to reset and figure things out before their final six games of the season.

While quarterback Kirk Cousins didn’t have his best game in Week 11, he has led the team to a 6-5 record and has Atlanta in first place in the NFC South. Cousins has passed for 2,807 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions through the first 11 games.

Where does the Falcons QB rank among the top signal-callers in the NFL? Here’s a look at the top 32 quarterbacks ranked by passing yards entering Week 12:

  1. Joe Burrow: 3,028 yards
  2. Lamar Jackson: 2,876 yards
  3. Kirk Cousins: 2,807 yards
  4. Geno Smith: 2,781 yards
  5. C.J. Stroud: 2,628 yards
  6. Brock Purdy: 2,613 yards
  7. Matthew Stafford: 2,557 yards
  8. Josh Allen: 2,543 yards
  9. Baker Mayfield: 2,505 yards
  10. Jared Goff: 2,492 yards
  11. Aaron Rodgers: 2,442 yards
  12. Patrick Mahomes: 2,404 yards
  13. Sam Darnold: 2,387 yards
  14. Jayden Daniels: 2,338 yards
  15. Bo Nix: 2,275 yards
  16. Jalen Hurts: 2,197 yards
  17. Justin Herbert: 2,186 yards
  18. Jordan Love: 2,081 yards
  19. Daniel Jones: 2,070 yards
  20. Kyler Murray: 2,058 yards
  21. Caleb Williams: 2,016 yards
  22. Trevor Lawrence: 2,004 yards
  23. Dak Prescott: 1,978 yards
  24. Gardner Minshew: 1,783 yards
  25. Derek Carr: 1,742 yards
  26. Tua Tagovailoa: 1,443 yards
  27. Drake Maye: 1,236 yards
  28. Anthony Richardson: 1,230 yards
  29. Will Levis: 1,169 yards
  30. Joe Flacco: 1,167 yards
  31. Deshaun Watson: 1,148  yards
  32. Justin Fields: 1,106 yards

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Why it’s still not Michael Penix Jr. time for the Falcons despite 2-game skid

No, the Falcons still aren’t turning to Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons have regressed to the mean in the last two weeks, suffering an unlucky loss to the New Orleans Saints and an absolute pummeling from the Denver Broncos.

This Falcons team was 6-3 until hitting this two-game skid, one that sends the team into its bye week with a 6-5 record, lots of questions to answer and plenty of injuries to mend before a Dec. 1 home stand against the red-hot Los Angeles Chargers.

Two things can be true about the Falcons right now: they are an improved group from the past six years that has promising young talent on both sides of the ball and a clear-cut plan at quarterback, and they’re not Super Bowl contenders right now.

Raheem Morris has done a really good job this season at building a seemingly strong culture and bringing in some impressive wins, and Zac Robinson has been a real find at offensive coordinator. However, this team still has plenty of flaws and probably won’t make it very far in the playoffs even if it gets there. That’s just how it usually goes in the first year of a new regime if you find some instant success.

Winning the NFC South is still very much on the table for the Falcons, as finishing with nine or 10 wins should do the job. Barring an absolute collapse after the bye, Atlanta should still be a feisty contender with plenty of talent on offense to win in shootouts and stifle lesser opponents.

While quarterback Kirk Cousins is basically still the version of himself from the Kevin O’Connell Minnesota Vikings days with even less mobility (some great games, some frustrating ones), don’t expect the Falcons to veer off their quarterback path and start rookie Michael Penix Jr. anytime soon. This was true after the team’s abysmal Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s still true after this two-game losing streak.

Sure, Penix came in to take relief snaps for Cousins in Sunday’s Broncos loss when it looked like the game was out of reach for Atlanta. Cousins didn’t play particularly well for the Falcons this past week, but he’s been very reliable overall for the franchise this season. Cousins also popped up on the injury report last week, hinting he might not have been 100-percent in Denver.

The Falcons have a ton of injuries, particularly on the already struggling defensive side of the ball. The team isn’t going to waltz to the playoffs this season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting wide receiver Mike Evans back eventually and the New Orleans Saints showing signs of life. However, both of those teams have losing records and the Falcons are 4-1 in the division. Tampa Bay and New Orleans both have a lot of ground to make up, particularly since Atlanta should still win games this season.

The Falcons aren’t benching one of the biggest reasons they’re still in first place in the NFC South and might just snap a six-season playoff drought. Penix is the future of this franchise, but two losses in consecutive weeks won’t and shouldn’t send major alarms throughout Flowery Branch. Cousins is still playing at a relatively high level for his age and physical limitations.

Atlanta’s defense is not good and will probably hold it back if it does win the division and host a playoff game. The Falcons don’t have a pass rush, the run defense is poor and the secondary is inconsistent. The offense has weeks of genuine brilliance, but it also struggles when great defensive lines make Cousins uncomfortable and the run game slows down.

Even though this Falcons team has a fairly hard ceiling, its commendable floor is such that they should still be the favorites to win the NFC South. The day will come when the franchise throws Penix the keys, but that day will not come this season. Heck, it might not even come next season at this rate. Cousins is still playing like a franchise quarterback who can help the Falcons contend, and the team will most likely invest in its defense next offseason.

We’re not sure what happens in the future, but Atlanta is still in prime position to add at least one extra game to the 2024 schedule. Cousins gives it the most obvious path to get there.

Don’t overthink this; it’s not Penix time just yet.

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Broncos troll Kirk Cousins, NFC South with funny tweets

The Broncos had a perfect reaction on Twitter after beating Kirk Cousins and sweeping the NFC South.

After a convincing 38-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, the Denver Broncos trolled quarterback Kirk Cousins and the entire NFC South division.

First up: a diamond-plated “W” necklace posted on their official Twitter/X page, a pretty obvious reference to Cousins and his “Kirko Chainz” nickname. Denver’s defense certainly got the best of Cousins on Sunday.

Cousins went 18-of-27 passing for 173 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked three times for losses of 21 yards and Atlanta’s offense only managed to score two field goals on the day.

Another great tweet from the Broncos’ official page featured a WWE meme video of the team taking care of business against the NFC South this fall. Denver went 4-0 against coach Sean Payton’s old division in 2024.

After sweeping the NFC South, the Broncos will now look to get their second AFC West victory of the season when they host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12.

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Are the Commanders worn out and tired?

Are the Commanders’ recent struggles due to them badly needing a bye week?

The Commanders won’t get their bye until December 8.

Two weeks ago, the Commanders were 7-2, 2-0 in the NFC East divisional games. Today, they are 7-4, having led both of the last two games in the second half but lost both games in regulation.

Jayden Daniels looks tired and lacks the same energy. The offense actually only generated ten points until that final possession, when surely every Commanders fan noticed the Eagles were playing with less intensity, simply seeking to keep everything in front of them, chew up more clock, and end the game quicker.

Daniels played so well earlier in the season that we forgot he was a rookie. Thus, he is going through an NFL season for the first time. Thursday, he missed some open throws that he did not miss early in the season. Yet, in the last two games, we have seen him appear much more human.

Suddenly, Kliff Kingsbury’s offense has significantly slowed, scoring less. But then again, the Eagles are very talented defensively. How much of what is happening to the Commanders’ offense might be because there are now 11 games on film that are being watched closely by NFL opposing coaching staffs?

Thursday, the offense did not come easily. It struggled for the entire game. Did you notice that when Washington trailed 12-10, the Eagles’ defense suddenly made the Commanders’ offense look very weak?

  • 2nd-and-1 at the Eagles 25. Brian Robinson carry gets zero yards.
  • 3rd-and-1 at the Eagles 25. Brian Robinson loses one yard.
  • 4th-and-2, the entire play was a mess with the snap, missed blocks, and Daniels, having no place to go, was hit hard.

What now?

Some of this is the last two teams are better than most opponents this season.

Some of this is that Daniels is injured, beat up, and needs rest.

So, keep perspective: Did you forget Washington has not had a winning regular season since Kirk Cousins was starting in the 2015 and 2016 seasons?

 

Broncos vs. Falcons: 5 things to watch for in Week 11

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Here are five storylines to watch for in Week 11.

The Denver Broncos (5-5) are set to host the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) in Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a quick list of five storylines to keep an eye on this week.

1. Justin Simmons returns to Denver: Simmons, of course, spent the first eight years of his career with the Broncos before being cut and joining the Falcons this offseason. He expects to hear some boos when he returns to Empower Field at Mile High, but fans in Denver will likely greet him with a warm welcome instead.

2. Denver’s defense vs. Kirk Cousins and Co.: Vance Joseph’s unit ranks fifth in total yards allowed per game (295.7), third in points allowed (17.7) and second in sacks (35) this season. This week, Denver’s defense will face a Falcons offense that ranks fifth in total yards per game (375.1) and fourth in passing yards (250.4). Atlanta’s 124.7 rushing yards per contest rank 12th as Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier have proven to be a dynamic backfield duo. 

3. Broncos running back rotation: Last week, rookie Audric Estime appeared to take over as the team’s new lead running back. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi downplayed that on Thursday by saying the team was riding the “hot hand.” Denver head coach Sean Payton seems to be a big fan of Estime, though, so we expect him to continue leading the way on carries. Javonte Williams will likely remain the RB in passing situations because he is the best blocking and receiving back on the team, and Jaleel McLaughlin will continue to offer a chance-of-pace option. 

4. Alex Forsyth’s field goal protection: The entire kicking unit will be scrutinized this week after a blocked field goal cost the Broncos a win against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Nobody will be watched more closely than lineman Alex Forsyth, who was culpable for the block in Kansas City. Denver special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica seems confident it won’t happen again.

5. Bo Nix vs. Falcons’ defense: Atlanta has a talented secondary that includes Simmons, but they struggle to get after quarterbacks. The Falcons have a league-low nine sacks this season and they have allowed the ninth-most passing yards per game (223.4) this fall. The stats suggest that Sunday could be a big game for Nix. Coming off a strong performance against the Chiefs, Nix will look to continue making strides against Atlanta. 

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox (view the TV map). Playing at home, the Broncos are considered slight favorites in Week 11.

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Kirk Cousins left with ‘bad taste’ in mouth after Falcons’ loss to Saints

Kirk Cousins on Falcons’ loss to Saints: “‘It leaves a bad taste in your mouth”

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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Why Kirk Cousins’ legs are the key to Atlanta Falcons’ recent success

Kirk Cousins’ mobility has helped the Falcons offense take off in recent weeks

Everything about Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins‘ playing style embodies that of a pocket passer. While this has always been the case for the veteran signal-caller, he appeared to lack any kind of mobility early in the season.

Cousins is roughly a year removed from an Achilles surgery and has started to move better in recent weeks. The team has won five of its last six games since starting 1-2 and Cousins’ legs are a big reason for that.

After making some uncharacteristic scrambles over the last few weeks, head coach Raheem Morris jokingly said Cousins looked like Patrick Mahomes. The Falcons QB talked about how the progression of his Achilles has helped his mobility both in and out of the pocket.

“I think it’s been pretty consistent as of late. I don’t really think too much about the Achilles as I’m playing,” Cousins said. “If anything, it’s just so sturdy that I really trust it and so I feel pretty good.”

There is, of course, a large gap between Cousins and quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson. He certainly should never be expected to even come close to reaching those levels on the ground, but he’ll scramble and improvise a bit.

“I’ve always kind of been a pocket passer, but today, there were a couple of times I wish I had taken off and run,” Cousins said. “I’ve had this conversation with many of you — it’s that you want to go through your progressions. At the same time, you want to take off and run and there were a couple of times today where I thought the better decision.”

Regardless of what side of the spectrum he leans toward in the modern era at the QB position, Cousins’ ability to move around inside the pocket has helped Atlanta’s offense take off.

As crazy as it may sound, Cousins’ recent success has given him a real case to be in the league MVP discussion. This season, he’s completed just under 70 percent of his passes for 2,328 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

That’s good for fifth in the NFL in passing yards, also tied for fourth in the league in passing touchdowns. Morris couldn’t be happier about the investment he made in Cousins and the rewards the team has reaped from it.

“Kirk Cousins is exactly what I thought he was,” Morris said. “He’s poised. He’ll get the ball around, spread it around. He can do all the things we described when we first met going back to the Combine… realistically, getting a quarterback who can absolutely deal to all of the guys we have.”

He’s among the many who are impressed at Cousins’ “wheels”… if they can truly be called that.

“Last week, he showed us he can run a little bit better than we thought, particularly at the beginning of the season,” Morris said. “Each week, he’s able to go out there and get better and better. And I am so proud of him.”

Cousins should be expected to only build upon what he has done so far as the Falcons travel to New Orleans to face the Saints at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday.

Check out the team’s depth chart, injury report and updated 53-man roster heading into Week 10.

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‘A True Falcon’: Bijan Robinson continues to draw praise for versatility

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson continues to draw praise for his versatility and impact on and off the field

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson checks all the boxes of what an NFL rusher is supposed to be in the modern era: a player who can play the traditional role on the ground, block when called upon and catch passes out of the backfield.

Robinson has received praise for all three of these areas since his time at the University of Texas, and this trend has continued in Atlanta. But what the second-year running back stands for transcends beyond what he has accomplished on the field.

“He does everything,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “I can’t say enough positive things about Bijan. Running the football, blocking, protection, catching the ball out of the backfield, scoring touchdowns, cheering for his guys, being locked and loaded, being a positive leader, an inspiration behind everything we do and what he does in our community.”

The culture Morris has instilled in Atlanta has been a huge part of the team’s success this season, and players like Robinson have embodied the standard he wishes to see within his team.

“He is the definition of what is a Falcon,” Morris said. “We talk about going to look for these people and our process of bringing them in here, you can just put a picture up of Bijan [Robinson] and say ‘that is it, at the highest level.'”

And it’s easy to see the comfort level quarterback Kirk Cousins has both in handing the ball off to Robinson and using him in the passing game. Cousins has consistently targeted Robinson out of the backfield and the results have been impressive.

“He’s a big deal,” Cousins said. “I want him to show up in the pass game, I want him to be able to check the ball down to him, I want to be able to put the ball in his hands… I see a running back as a running and I also see them as a receiver. Bijan [Robinson] has a lot of ability catching the football and I love when he shows up in our passing game too.”

Robinson finished Sunday’s 27-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys without a score, but his stat line didn’t tell the full story of just how big a role he played.

He led the team in rushing with 86 yards on 19 carries and finished as the second-leading receiver with 59 receiving yards on seven catches. Robinson recorded a career-high 26 touches in the game, adding to a long list of milestones.

Among the latest of those came in the 31-26 road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he scored his first receiving touchdown of the season and put together three consecutive games in which he had scored at least one touchdown.

Expect Robinson to continue improving upon what he’s done in his second year in Atlanta as the Falcons face an incredibly shaky New Orleans Saints team on the road Sunday.

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Kirk Cousins and Mike Zimmer reunite ahead of Week 9 matchup

The former duo were back in action on Sunday.

Current Dallas’ defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and current Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins were set to face each other this past Sunday in Atlanta. Zimmer was Cousins’ coach from 2018-2021, and they enjoyed a four-year stint together before the team moved on from Zimmer for a young mind like Kevin O’Connell.

The pair was seen talking to one another prior to the game, likely reminiscing about the good times they had in Minnesota.

But Cousins got the better end of Zimmer and Dallas on Sunday. The Falcons took down the Cowboys, 27-21. Dallas moved to 3-5 on the year, while Cousins has Atlanta humming along at 6-3. Zimmer’s former starting quarterback threw for 222 yards and three scores against his Cowboys’ defense.

The Vikings will get a chance to face Cousins on Dec. 8 when Atlanta travels to Minnesota for what will likely be a big contest.