FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Cousins is no stranger to the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
Cousins has played in 13 games on Monday nights with a 3-10 record. His three wins have come in his last four outings.
Needless to say, he understands how to navigate the national stage through the highs and lows.
"I think if my play was dramatically different on Monday night, I'd go, 'Hey, I got to go look at this.' But when I look at it, I go, '(I'm) not really playing any different,'" Cousins said. "I'm still the same quarterback I am in other days and nights and mornings."
Cousins said he would love to be undefeated on Mondays, but in reality, the competition is often top contenders. It's one of the biggest games of the week for a reason.
In Cousins' last prime-time game he and the Minnesota Vikings took down the eventual Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers at home last season. Cousins recorded 378 passing yards and two touchdowns. The other two wins were at the Chicago Bears' expense on the road in 2021 and 2020.
Take a deeper look at how Cousins has fared on the ESPN game of the week:
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10-23-2023 | San Francisco 49ers | W, 22-17 |
| 9-19-2022 | Philadelphia Eagles | L, 24-7 |
| 12-20-2021 | Chicago Bears | W, 17-9 |
| 11-16-2020 | Chicago Bears | W, 19-13 |
| 12-23-2019 | Green Bay Packers | L, 23-10 |
| 12-2-2019 | Seattle Seahawks | L, 37-30 |
| 12-10-2018 | Seattle Seahawks | L, 21-7 |
| 10-23-2017 | Philadelphia Eagles | L, 34-24 |
| 10-2-2017 | Kansas City Chiefs | L, 29-20 |
| 12-19-2016 | Carolina Panthers | L, 26-15 |
| 9-12-2016 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L, 38-16 |
| 12-7-2015 | Dallas Cowboys | L, 19-16 |
| 10-6-2014 | Seattle Seahawks | L, 27-17 |
While the Falcons quarterback is well acquainted with playing national games, he's also no stranger to criticism. Most of the conversation heading into the second game of the season centered around what went wrong in the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Falcons committed three turnovers, two were interceptions attributed to Cousins and the third was a miscommunication between Cousins and center Drew Dalman resulting in a fumbled snap.
"I'm not blaming anybody — I'm saying myself — I've got to play better. I've got to operate better, and I was probably the center of it not being clean and crisp," Cousins said. "That frustrated me deeply because I place such an importance on that in running the operation clean and crisp. So, that's what has to be better Monday night."
The Falcons understood the microscope Cousins would be under during the season. Safety Jessie Bates III said that was something they discussed back in OTAs. They came to the conclusion that Cousins and head coach Raheem Morris, in his first season, would receive the most scrutiny.
Now, that storyline revealed itself just a game into the season. They didn't expect much less.
"Kirk is someone that is not sensitive to criticism. He's been there before, and I know he's a leader on this team, and I know how he'll respond to it. It's still the same Kirk. One week is not going to define who he is, who we are as a team," Bates said. "I wouldn't put my money on anyone else but Kirk when we're in those types of situations. He's a guy that's handled adversity multiple times throughout his career, and I know he'll respond well."
The rain can't stop the work in Flowery Branch! Check out highlights from the Friday practice ahead of the Atlanta Falcons week two matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. #33 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Rainy scenes during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 and Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Rainy scenes during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 and Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Rainy scenes during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 and Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Friday, September 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Throughout the week, teammates and coaches haven't noticed a change in demeanor from Cousins. He's still the same player joking around in the locker room not riding the "roller coaster" of the season, especially just one game in.
"He's going to bring the urgency. He's going to bring everything he has to do in order to play better to find a way to get that thing to the results that we want," Morris said of Cousins. "I got all the confidence in the world because of who he is."
Several younger teammates, Bijan Robinson and Drake London to name a couple, will be appearing in their first Monday night game. They'll look to Cousins to take the lead because, again, he's been here time and time again.
"I'm sure they'll be excited, ready to go," Cousins said. "How could you not? It's a great environment."
