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| On Monday night, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins orchestrated a surprising comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images |
When Kirk Cousins stepped onto the field with 1:39 left in Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris had complete confidence in his quarterback, without even needing to glance at or communicate with him.
Morris was well acquainted with the determined look in Cousins’ eyes.
“I’ve seen that confidence in practice, in our daily interactions, and in his consistent effort to improve,” Morris remarked after the game. “I didn’t need to check on him during that drive.”
In the ensuing 65 seconds, Cousins transformed that focused demeanor into a memorable six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, leading the Falcons to a dramatic 22-21 victory over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
As Cousins prepared for the crucial drive, he analyzed the Eagles’ defensive setup. Noting that the defense would concede yards as long as nothing was allowed over the top, Cousins began executing his strategy.
The drive began with an 11-yard completion to tight end Kyle Pitts, followed by throws of 21 and 26 yards to receiver Darnell Mooney. In just three plays, the Falcons had advanced 58 yards. With Atlanta now in the red zone, the Cousins anticipated tighter coverage from the Eagles.
This made effective route running crucial. At the game’s critical moment, Falcons’ top receiver Drake London stepped up, delivering precisely what was needed.
A five-yard reception by London moved the Falcons inside the Eagles’ 10-yard line. On the subsequent play, with the clock no longer a concern, London excelled again. He caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in the end zone’s front right corner, sealing one of Atlanta’s most impressive drives in recent history.
“I was really proud of Drake for his route running, how he created separation and made things easier for me,” Cousins said after the game.
However, London’s actions made things a bit more challenging for kicker Younghoe Koo. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed the extra point attempt from 33 yards to 48. Koo remained unshaken, making the kick and giving Atlanta a lead they maintained for the final 34 seconds.
For 36-year-old Cousins, who faced scrutiny about his health and performance after a tough Week 1, this game was a strong affirmation of the Falcons’ investment in him with a four-year, $180 million contract signed in the spring.
“It was really what you expected,” Morris said. “There’s a process in this league — sometimes you don’t play your best, but today, he stepped up in crucial moments and delivered when it mattered.”
The Cousins ended the game with 20 completions on 29 attempts for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. His performance was especially notable in the second half, where he completed 13 of 16 passes for 166 yards and both touchdowns, taking just one sack.
Postgame, London praised Cousins for his composure amid the nearly 70,000-strong crowd and the pressure of a potential 0–2 start.
In many ways, that composure is what the Falcons hoped for when they signed Cousins, though he claimed not to feel added pressure due to his contract.
“I’m just focused on playing football, helping my team win, and enjoying the game,” Cousins explained. “It’s about embracing the challenge and the opportunity to perform.”
Cousins has honed his skills over 12 years in the league, mastering his reads, footwork, and the mental fortitude required for late-game heroics.
For the Falcons, who have grappled with quarterback issues over the past two years, having a confident and capable quarterback like Cousins is a significant boost.
When Morris joined the Falcons in January, he knew the quarterback position needed an upgrade. Cousins proved to be a valuable addition, delivering a strong performance on Monday.
However, Morris believes the true measure of value will come in January.
“Those key moments come in the playoffs,” Morris noted. “We’re far from that yet. We need to keep striving to be in those crucial situations to prove ourselves.”
The Falcons also demonstrated an improved offensive performance compared to their season-opening 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With five scoring drives (two touchdowns, three field goals) and 385 net yards, Cousins complemented his passing with 154 rushing yards from running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
Cousins spread the ball around effectively, connecting with six different receivers, five of whom had at least three catches. London led with six receptions for 54 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Mooney added three catches for a team-high 88 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown.
Slot receiver Ray-Ray McCloud caught three passes for 42 yards, Pitts had three grabs for 20 yards, and Robinson added four receptions for 25 yards.
Cousins emphasized that the Falcons have a wealth of playmakers. The challenge, he said, is optimizing their positions and executing, a task for first-year offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Robinson, who had a challenging Week 1, made significant strides in Week 2, particularly during the final drive.
“Kirk made some key throws, and Zac closed it out,” Morris said. “Robinson called it an excellent game. Despite some missed opportunities, he delivered when it mattered most.”
Cousins acknowledged the need for improvement but was grateful for the game’s outcome. He was cautious about declaring a turning point but recognized the importance of such victories.
As the Falcons head home and prepare for their next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, they do so with newfound confidence and a crucial win under their belts.
Morris believes the Falcons always had confidence, but now they have tangible proof.
For Cousins, the victory and the experiences it brought serve as a reminder of his journey and the value of perseverance.
“That’s NFL football,” Cousins said. “We need to get comfortable with these moments. The more we face these challenges, the better prepared we’ll be for the future.”
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