The Atlanta Falcons seem to have hit a rough patch, having failed to notch a single win in their last four outings. Amid this challenging stretch, the Falcons' offensive woes are starkly highlighted by their paltry average of just 14.25 points per game. As they navigate a demanding schedule against teams like the Raiders, Giants, Commanders, and Panthers, the Falcons must grapple with significant performance issues while trailing the 7-6 Buccaneers by one game.
An Underperforming Offense
The limitations of the Falcons’ offense pose an urgent problem. In a league where explosive offenses often dominate, averaging merely 14.25 points over several weeks casts doubts on their ability to compete at a high level consistently. The Atlanta squad has struggled to find the end zone, and this scoring drought is a principal contributor to their recent lackluster results. Key adjustments and strategic innovations will be essential if the Falcons hope to stay competitive in their upcoming matchups.
Defense Showing Promise
In stark contrast to their offensive struggles, the Falcons' defense has shown a different trajectory. Ranking eighth in Expected Points Added per play during critical non-garbage-time instances between Weeks 11 and 13, their defensive unit demonstrates significant competence. This metric underscores their ability to apply pressure and make plays, especially in pivotal moments of the game. Such solid defensive performances provide a foundation they must leverage more effectively to support their underachieving offense.
Kirk Cousins: A Million-Dollar Question
Meanwhile, the spotlight also shines brightly on Kirk Cousins, whose $100 million fully guaranteed contract, signed in March, brought soaring expectations. Unfortunately, his performances have recently fallen short. Over the past four games, Cousins has thrown eight interceptions without recording any touchdowns, a dismal trend that undermines his typically reliable play.
His performance in critical fourth quarters raises further concerns. With a passer rating of just 56, complemented by two touchdowns against eight interceptions, Cousins is yet to find the rhythm needed to close games effectively. Additionally, his completion rate in these decisive moments, at 61.2% with an average of 6.20 yards per attempt, reflects an urgent need for recalibration in high-pressure scenarios.
History Offers Glimpses of Hope
Historically, Cousins’ performance against Atlanta conveys a more reassuring narrative. He holds a 67% completion rate with an impressive 7.8 yards per attempt when playing against the Falcons, statistics that demonstrate his capability under better circumstances. His time in Minnesota also yielded a solid 67.8% completion rate, adding depth to his track record as a competent passer.
These figures paint a complex portrait of a quarterback with proven talent under scrutiny from recent underperformance. Whether Cousins can regain his form remains a question of great interest, particularly as his team heads into crucial faceoffs that could determine their postseason trajectory.
Falcons' Fourth-Quarter Frustrations
In nine out of their 13 games, Atlanta has found themselves within a single score entering the fourth quarter. Such tight contests underscore the importance of execution during these final stretches. Yet, closing out these games has been an elusive goal. The Falcons must discover new strategies and drive to convert these opportunities into wins if they are to pivot their season in a positive direction.
The upcoming clash against familiar divisional rivals and formidable opponents offers the Falcons a chance to rectify their course. With weeks of the regular season remaining, the narrative for Atlanta and Cousins is still unwritten. As both face their respective challenges head-on, resolve and resilience will be essential to reversing their fortunes.