When the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins during the offseason, many NFL analysts felt the veteran quarterback would be the missing piece to end the team’s six-year playoff drought.
After the first four weeks of the season, the Falcons are 2-2 with a chance to move into first place in the NFC South if they can defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5. Considering the team’s early schedule, having a .500 record isn’t terrible.
However, Cousins hasn’t exactly been the difference-maker many expected him to be. Thus far, the 36-year-old has passed for 864 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. So where does Cousins rank among the league’s quarterbacks after the first quarter of the season?
The 33rd Team’s Dan Pizzuta dropped Cousins out of the top 20 in his latest batch of QB power rankings. The Falcons signal-caller fell from No. 16 to No. 21 entering Week 5:
But often, he fired a little late in contested windows, and he doesn’t have the arm to take defenders out of the play. New Orleans had seven passes defensed in the game. That’s a thin line to walk, but it’s where Cousins is at physically. — Dan Pizzuta, The 33rd Team
Even without top-level production, the Falcons probably wouldn’t be 2-2 without Cousins. In Week 2, his late touchdown drive helped Atlanta stun the Philadelphia Eagles in prime time. Still, Cousins hasn’t quite looked comfortable in the pocket this season and his lack of mobility has forced him into some questionable decisions.
Overall, he hasn’t been as efficient as we’ve seen in previous years, but Cousins has a track record of success. Since the team has managed to win games without the QB playing his best, Atlanta could be truly dangerous once Cousins finds his footing.
The Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night football. The game starts at 8:15 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Check out our four bold predictions for tonight’s NFC South showdown.
