ATLANTA — After a disappointing 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins took full responsibility for his subpar performance. He endured one of the most challenging outings in his 13-year NFL career, throwing four interceptions—his highest total in a game since 2014.
Among the key moments were a 61-yard pick-six thrown to Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still and a crucial interception in the end zone by Marcus Maye, which dashed a promising drive in the fourth quarter. Atlanta’s offense struggled as three of their final drives ended in interceptions thrown by Cousins.
In the postgame press conference, Cousins expressed his disappointment and commitment to improving, saying, “I look to myself and say, ‘I’ve got to play better.’ It hurts when you feel like your defense played winning football.” This loss marks the Falcons’ third consecutive defeat, leaving them at 6-6, hanging onto first place in the NFC South. In a surprising turn, Cousins has not thrown a touchdown pass in three consecutive games, a trend he had never experienced since becoming a full-time starter in 2015.
Despite a strong showing from the Falcons’ defense, which managed a season-high five sacks and did not allow an offensive touchdown, the outcome ultimately reflected the struggles of the offense. Head coach Raheem Morris reaffirmed his support for Cousins as the starting quarterback, highlighting his contributions to the team. He emphasized, “Everything is still right in front of us. We’re still sticking with our plan.”
Morris stated that the primary area of focus for Cousins is to minimize turnovers and expressed confidence in his ability to rebound in the upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings, one of his former teams. The Falcons had signed Cousins during the offseason for a substantial four-year, $180 million contract, illustrating their investment in him as a cornerstone player.
Wide receiver Drake London also defended Cousins, stating, “It’s not all on Kirk. We have to run the right routes… Kirk is more than an exceptional quarterback.” In addressing his struggles, Cousins maintained that he is healthy and emphasized the importance of earning his place as a starter.
As the Falcons face their next challenge, there is hope within the organization that Cousins will rise to the occasion and showcase the quality of play that led to his significant signing. With the future quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., waiting on the sidelines, Cousins has the opportunity to reaffirm his position and lead the Falcons towards a successful conclusion to the season.
In summary, while the loss was a tough pill to swallow, the Falcons are maintaining a positive outlook and confidence in their quarterback’s abilities. This moment could serve as a necessary wake-up call for Cousins, hopefully paving the way for improved performances ahead.