The Atlanta Falcons finally found themselves on the right side of the scoreboard Monday night, breaking their losing streak with a hard-fought 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. This much-needed win marked the Falcons' first taste of triumph since Week 9, a period during which they struggled to find consistent form on the field.
Kirk Cousins, the Falcons' embattled quarterback, delivered a mixed performance, completing 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards. Cousins managed to throw one touchdown but also added another interception to his season tally. His 30-yard touchdown pass to Drake London provided a much-needed spark to an offense that has been searching for rhythm all season.
Despite the victory, Cousins’ statistics over the last five games have raised concerns. With just one touchdown and nine interceptions, Cousins is leading the NFL with a staggering total of 16 interceptions for the season, a feat last achieved by Matt Ryan for the Falcons in 2015. The persistent struggles at quarterback have not gone unnoticed by Falcons coach Raheem Morris. "He's got to play better. We have to find a way to get him to play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position," Morris emphasized post-game, underlining the urgency to improve in that vital position.
The Falcons' offensive statistics further highlighted areas in need of improvement. The team managed to accumulate a total of 261 yards and convert only 4 out of 13 third-down attempts. These numbers point to a need for better execution in crucial game situations if the team hopes to maintain their current momentum and improve their standing in upcoming games.
Amidst the challenges, there are silver linings for the Falcons. The team boasts a promising talent in rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was their No. 8 overall pick in the latest NFL Draft. Penix, who led the FBS in passing yards with an impressive 4,903 last year, could be a key solution to the Falcons' quarterback conundrum if given the opportunity to step up and showcase his skills at the professional level.
With their record now leveling at 7-7, the Falcons are looking to turn the pages of inconsistency and place themselves in a stronger position moving forward. The win against the Raiders represents a step in the right direction, but the real test lies ahead in maintaining this progress and overcoming the hurdles that have hampered their season.