FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's been exactly one year and five days since Kirk Cousins underwent surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles that abruptly halted one his best statical starts to any season since he joined the league in 2012.
There's never a good time to injure yourself. It doesn't work like that. But for Cousins, there probably couldn't have been a worse time for him to go under the knife than November 1, 2023. He was staring down his 36th birthday, which would come once the next season's training camp began, and his contract with the Minnesota Vikings would officially end when the new league year began in March 2024, only five months removed from that season-ending surgery.
What would the future hold for an aging quarterback? A quarterback who may be one of the most accurate pocket passers in the game at the current moment but didn't have the national reputation as such? Not with first-round pick after first-round pick coming into the league with more mobility and youth on their side to garner all the attention.
Cousins had what they didn't, though: A mind honed by more than a decade of experience in this league. He still had good arm strength a repaired Achilles, and the aforementioned accuracy on his side, too. More than enough for the Falcons to seek him out this offseason.
And we all know why the Falcons wanted someone like Cousins.
Since trading Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts, they'd been riding the quarterback carousel — cycling through Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke over two seasons. Some called it quarterback purgatory, but the simple truth of the matter was the Falcons had a consistency issue at the quarterback position. If they ever wanted to be taken seriously, they needed to rectify that.
Enter Cousins, and the four-year, $180 million contract the Falcons presented him when the new league year began this March. Cousins was their answer. And despite the speculation, the questions and general musings about Cousins' recovery status, overall health and ability to unlock the Falcons' first-round draft picks of the last few years, he's been the answer for the quarterback woes of Falcons' fan base.
He was a gamble, of course. Everything is. But nine games into the season and with the Falcons firmly in the top spot of the NFC South, Cousins has been exactly what the Falcons brought him in to be.
As Mike Sando pointed out in a recent article for The Athletic, the Kirk Cousins Effect™ can be seen most pointedly in the Falcons' jump in offensive EPA (expected points added) per play this season.
With Desmond Ridder as the quarterback and Arthur Smith calling plays for the Falcons' offense in 2023, the team ranked 26th in offensive EPA through nine games. With Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, the Falcons are ranked 7th thus far in 2024.
It should be noted that this is an offense that did return its entire offensive line and four of its most productive offensive weapons (Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Drake London and Kyle Pitts) from 2023 to 2024. The major change from one year to the other can be directly tracked back to Cousins as well as the additions of Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud. There's enough consistency in Atlanta's offensive personnel from last year to clearly identify the changes that have lifted the group.
Sando uncovered a crazy stat in his piece that furthers the importance of Cousins in this offense. The Falcons have already amassed 93% of their total production at wide receiver from the 2023 season. Atlanta's wide receivers need just 115 more yards to tie the overall output from the position with Ridder starting 13 games and Heinicke the others. If Cousins' play in October is any indication, it's very likely this unit will get those 100-plus yards on Sunday in New Orleans.
What's more, the Falcons are the only team in the league who have three receivers (London, Mooney and Pitts) with more than 400-yards receiving and at least three touchdowns scored. Pull back further, and they're the only offense with five players (London, Mooney, Pitts, McCloud, Robinson) who have more than 300 receiving yards and one touchdown catch.
It's Cousins' presence that makes that production possible.
And his comfort in this offense? It's only growing as he gets more and more reps in it. The longer Cousins works in it — and with his new offensive coordinator — the more dangerous and consistent this offense becomes. Cousins' performance under pressure depicts this growth well.
Against the Dallas Cowboys, Cousins completed eight of the 11 passes he threw when under pressure. Those eight receptions amounted to 110 yards and a touchdown. According to Next Gen Stats, Cousins never threw a touchdown when under pressure from Weeks 1-7, but in the last two weeks he's 14 of 19 with 204 yards and three touchdowns when under pressure. This shows a comfort, knowledge and faith in the scheme, as well as the connection he has with his receivers to trust they are where he expects them to be.
Cousins — and in turn, this offense — is evolving.
For the last three offseasons, the Falcons have drafted and signed a supporting cast with enough skill and talent needed to make the offense hum. The problem in those years, though, was that the supporting cast didn't have a quarterback setting them up to shine.
They didn't have a director behind center; someone to make the cast a group of stars known city to city.
They do now with Cousins, and the offensive uptick in production during the last month is evidence that the organization made the right call to unlock what this offense could be.
And you know what should give fans even more hope? This offense hasn't come close to cracking its full potential just yet. It's still in its debut.
Immerse yourself in the subtle drama of the Falcons-Cowboys meetup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with our monochrome snapshots from Week 9, shot on Sony.
Overall view before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes during the Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Kaleigh Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes during the Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Kaleigh Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans #43 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 and Billy Horschel before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks #35 walks out to warm ups before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 walks through the tunnel to warm ups before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Big Boi on the sideline before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 walk out from the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 walks out from the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 warms up before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 and Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 prepare in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 warms up before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during warm ups before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 walks back into the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
The Marines during the national anthem before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during the National Anthem before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Train Horn Puller Big Boi before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Bee Trofort-Wilson/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 carries the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 celebrates a sack during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 makes a sack during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans cheer during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 runs with the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 runs the ball into the end zone during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Sha'Caria Richardson during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Matthew Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Sha'Caria Richardson during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Matthew Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders perform during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Bee Trofort-Wilson/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
The Dirty Birds Nest during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 and defense reacts to fourth down stop during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 in the locker room after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 and Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris in the locker room after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
