ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 23: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to an NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Once known as the worst clutch quarterback in the NFL, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins quieted his critics Monday night with a come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, 22-21, including a game-winning touchdown pass to Drake London with 34 seconds remaining.
In his first game with the Falcons last weekend, Cousins looked like a signal-caller still feeling the effects of a torn Achilles he suffered last season with the Minnesota Vikings as he threw two interceptions and just 155 passing yards in an upset defeat at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Monday, he struggled in the first half again versus a stingy Eagles defense before turning it on in the second. Cousins went 13/16 with 166 passing yards and two touchdowns, leading the Falcons to their first victory of the season and giving Raheem Morris his first win as head coach in Atlanta. After the game, Cousins credited his teammates for how they handled themselves.
“It’s really, really important for us to be able to come in here and get a win. We had to do it any way we could and, as so many NFL games do really, it came down to the final drive. Just proud of the way we kept playing, kept fighting.”
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The Falcons created off-season drama when they signed Cousins to a four-year $180 million contract after significant surgery and drafted Heisman finalist Michael Penix with the eighth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the move seems to be paying off, as the veteran gives his team the best chance to win in the present while the rookie gets to learn behind a true professional like Cousins.
Atlanta needed the win on Monday to keep pace in a surprisingly competitive NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints were each 2-0 and recorded impressive victories over the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys on the road in week two, respectively. If not for their primetime win against the Eagles, the Falcons looked to be headed towards 0-3 with a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend.
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