PROGRESSING THROUGH THE PROCESS — Before we talk about the Falcons' win against the Buccaneers this Sunday, let's first rewind back to February, when Raheem Morris held his introductory press conference as the team's newest head coach.
In said presser, he was asked what traits he values most in a quarterback. At the time, the Falcons were in the market for one.
Morris was straightforward in his answer, claiming he wanted an "elite processor" to lead the offense in 2024. We should have known then that his (and general manager Terry Fontenot's) vision was actually Kirk Cousins in a Falcons' uniform.
We talked a lot about Cousins' performance against the Buccaneers in 2024 after the Falcons' Sunday win. On the field, he is putting up top-10 marks in passing yards per game (4th), completions per game (7th) and completion percentage in tight-window throws per game (4th). The Falcons' offense has the lowest three-and-out rate in the league, and they are just outside the top 10 in scoring average. Players like Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts are on track for career years with Cousins as their quarterback. Off the field, Cousins has been the leader in the clubhouse players are rallying behind.
All of this was on display in the Falcons' second meeting against. But something that I found to be the most interesting was seeing the way Cousins was clicking within the scheme itself. That can be seen through the four touchdowns he threw Sunday in the win; three of which were explosive gains of 30-plus yards.
Back in training camp, Cousins used the term "explosive" to describe this offense's potential. Against the Bucs Sunday, they were exactly that, taking some chunk plays that put up big scores. We're going over those plays in this Monday's notebook, highlighting what we can glean about not only Cousins' comfort and knowledge of the scheme but the offensive line's overlooked work in these plays, too.
Touchdown No. 1
The situation: 4th-and-3 from the Tampa Bay 36-yard line (Q1: 12:59)
The outcome: This is an easy example of Cousins just reading the safeties in real time. The Falcons start the play with a bunch set to the right with Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Ray-Ray McCloud lined up just beyond the right hash. London motions to line up alongside Darnell Mooney to the left, when he does you can clock the safeties dropping left (their right) to follow him. When the ball is snapped, the two safeties immediately turn and crash towards both Mooney and London. Knowing those two options are being doubled, Cousins then peels off of those first reads and clocks Pitts. Cousins knows — based on the eyes and body positioning of the safeties — that if Pitts beats his man, it's an easy lob for a touchdown. That's exactly what happens, and the Falcons put up six on the 36-yard touchdown play.
Cousins' commentary: "On the touchdown, (Todd Bowles) was doubling Drake and Mooney. It was a pretty good scheme, good look at how they were doing it. They drove the safeties over there and I got shutout. Basically, I didn't feel like I had anything over there. So, I worked back and then Kyle was able to win against his defender. I just put some air on it and said go run underneath it."
Touchdown No. 2
The situation: 2nd-and-10 from the Tampa Bay 49-yard line (Q2, 7:27)
The outcome: Unlike the play before when Pitts was likely the third read for Cousins, this next touchdown had Pitts' name written on it from go if you watch Cousins. The Falcons aligned two receivers to each side, putting their "bigs" of Pitts and London to the right. As soon as Pitts gets to the top of his route at the 40-yard line, Cousins is already well through his throwing motion. He places the ball perfectly between the dropping linebackers, right into the soft middle of the field. From there, Pitts does what has the talent to do: He outpaces everyone else on the field to scurry to the goal line.
Cousins' commentary: "What he does so well once he catches it is his ability to pull away, which he then did again on his second touchdown," Cousins said of Pitts in this moment. "His ability to pull away is pretty elite."
Touchdown No. 3
The situation: 3rd-and-6 from the Tampa Bay 30-yard line (Q2, 2:14)
The outcome: In a very similar alignment to the first touchdown play, the Falcons again deploy a bunch set to the right with the same grouping as before. However, instead of motioning London towards Mooney on the opposite side, they keep him right. When they do, the safety breaks towards the group (probably feeling a little PTSD from the last two plays Pitts had made to this point). When he does, it leaves Mooney with one man to beat. After getting inside positioning, and without safety help in the middle of the field, it was an easy play for Cousins and Mooney to make for the third explosive touchdown on the day.
Cousins' commentary: "The touchdown to Mooney was just a great route by him, getting the separation from the corner and then just wanted to make sure we can layer it over the safety, which we were able to do."
Touchdown No. 4
The situation: 2nd-and-6 from the Tampa Bay 6-yard line (Q3, 0:20)
The outcome: Unlike the other three touchdowns in this article, this one is not an explosive. But don't let the lack of distance take away from how important this moment was to the game. According to Cousins, Bijan Robinson was actually his fifth read on the play. When the play gets underway, though, Cousins' options are covered up. Well, except for Robinson, rolling out to the left, completely uncovered. It resulted in an easy catch-and-throw from quarterback to running back.
Cousins' commentary: "The touchdown to Bijan (Robinson), he's really my fifth option in the progression – just having the time in the pocket to be able to tick across makes such a difference for me as a progression passer."
Insights
There are a few things happening simultaneously to make all four of these plays work in the Falcons' favor.
For starters, the offensive line holds up quite well on all three plays (to Cousins' point in his commentary above). On all four plays, the Bucs only rushed four, dropping their linebackers to help in the secondary. Based on how much Cousins' tore this secondary apart in the first meeting, I can't say I blame them. However, what this did was make it easier on the Falcons' offensive line to keep the pocket clean for Cousins. It not only presented an opportunity for Cousins to track through his progressions, but it also allowed time for those deep routes to reach their pinnacle.
"When you have a pocket like on the first touchdown to Kyle," Cousins explained, "being able to progress and get backside and having a pocket to do that, it makes such a difference to me."
That, and Cousins and the Falcons' receivers just beat their opponent mentally and physically at an individual level.
Mooney's touchdown saw the receiver just outpace the corner. Pitts' first touchdown saw the tight end just out-physical his man in a one-on-one push to get by. But there is also something to be said about the mental part of it, too. This coming from Cousins' side. He's reading the secondary well in all of these moments, and he's trusting his players to be where they are supposed to, like in Pitts' second touchdown in which Cousins throws him a tight-window ball before Pitts has ever even turned around.
Cousins' feel for the scheme, the defense and his weapons was on full display in Tampa Bay, which should bode well for this offense moving forward.
Immerse yourself in the subtle drama of the Falcons-Buccaneers meetup at Raymond James Stadium with our monochrome snapshots from Week 8, shot on Sony.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks #35 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
View of the flyover during the Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Demone Harris #91 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 team huddle prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 rushes the quarterback during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson #71 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs after a catch during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs for a touchdown after a catch during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 intercepts a pass during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 makes a tackle during the second half of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 makes a tackle during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 intercepts a pass during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 looks to pass during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 celebrates after an interception during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 hands off to running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 celebrates after a fumble recovery during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs after a catch during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 lines up during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 prepares to lead the team onto the field prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of fans during the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Team huddle in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Players take the field prior to during the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs after a catch during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 game ball in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 arrives to travel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 arrives to travel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32, Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20, and Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 arrive to travel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
