ATLANTA – Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins accepted full responsibility for the team’s disappointing 17-13 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, in what marked one of the most challenging performances of his 13-year NFL career. Cousins threw four interceptions, tying a career-high and marking the first time he has done so since 2014. Among his struggles, he was notably intercepted by Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still, who returned the pick for a 61-yard touchdown, and he faced another interception in the end zone from Marcus Maye during a critical fourth-quarter drive.
During his postgame press conference, Cousins openly reflected on his performance, stating, “I look to myself and say, ‘I’ve got to play better.’ It hurts. When you feel like your defense played winning football, feel like your special teams made big plays, felt like the run game did a solid job, I’ve got to play better.”
This loss marks the Falcons’ third in a row, bringing their record to 6-6 as they precariously maintain their position at the top of the NFC South. Compounding the issue, Cousins hasn’t thrown a touchdown in the last three games, a streak that is notably rare since he has never gone two consecutive games without a touchdown since becoming a full-time starter in 2015.
While Atlanta had hoped to improve their defensive performance after a bye week, they wound up with a season-high five sacks and did not allow an offensive touchdown. Nonetheless, the offensive struggles overshadowed these defensive achievements.
Despite Cousins’ recent performance, the Falcons continue to support him as their starting quarterback. Coach Raheem Morris reiterated his confidence in Cousins, emphasizing the importance of his role in leading the team. “Kirk was brought here to put us in a playoff position. Everything is still right in front of us, and we’re sticking with our plan,” Morris said, indicating that the coaching staff remains optimistic about Cousins’ future contributions.
Morris acknowledged that the primary area of focus for Cousins should be minimizing turnovers, expressing confidence that he will rebound when they face the Minnesota Vikings next week, a team with which Cousins is intimately familiar after his time there. Morris added, “He’s been great for us all season, and it’s hard to throw that guy under the bus.”
Support for Cousins also came from Falcons wide receiver Drake London, who defended him post-game. “Everybody who’s played football, especially at this level, has had games like that,” he commented, urging the team to take collective responsibility for their performance. “Kirk is more than an exceptional quarterback.”
Cousins affirmed that he is healthy and downplayed any factors that may explain his recent struggles, reiterating that he values proving his worth week in and week out in the league. “If it ever was entitlement, I wouldn’t want it. I need to play at a level that justifies being out there,” he stated.
Despite the setback, the Falcons have ample opportunities ahead to salvage their season as they strive for a playoff spot. The team’s unified support for Cousins suggests they believe in his ability to bounce back, fostering hope that they can break their losing streak and reclaim momentum.
In summary, although Kirk Cousins faced significant challenges during the game against the Chargers, both he and the Falcons organization express optimism about his future performance. With a supportive team and a coach committed to his development, there remains a hopeful outlook for the remainder of the season.