In his first week with the Atlanta Falcons, Kirk Cousins struggled, throwing for only 155 yards along with a touchdown and two interceptions. His cautious approach and a game plan that didn’t seem to suit him led to early concerns among fans.
However, the call for patience proved valuable as Cousins began to improve. Despite a shaky performance in Week 2, he ended strong with a total of 241 yards and two touchdowns. In the following Weeks 3 and 4, he accumulated 468 yards alongside a touchdown and two interceptions. While the statistical progress was modest, Cousins started to look more comfortable and agile in the system.
This patience culminated in a remarkable outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Channeling his vintage form, Cousins delivered an impressive performance, throwing the football 58 times amidst a struggling ground game to help his team recover. He set a franchise record with 509 passing yards and four touchdowns, despite a fourth and long interception and a few misplaced throws. His overall display was noteworthy.
Consequently, Cousins has been named this week’s Falcons MVP. During a game where the Falcons conceded 24 points in the first half, his performance was vital to keeping their hopes alive. He handled pressure well, absorbed sacks, and despite some dropped passes from Darnell Mooney, he remained focused, frequently connecting with Drake London and spreading the ball effectively. His efforts were essential in leading the Falcons to victory, highlighting that patience was indeed key.
After every game this season, I expressed optimism about Cousins returning to form, although I didn’t anticipate it happening so quickly or so impressively. While he may not keep up the 500-yard pace every week, if he maintains this level of sharpness and accuracy, the Falcons could become a formidable team.