As the Atlanta Falcons continue their NFL journey, the recent stretch has been a strenuous one, with the team failing to secure a victory in their last four outings. The Falcons' offense has managed to scrape together an average of just 14.25 points per game during this period—a stat that underscores some of the hurdles they’ve been facing on the offensive side of the ball.
Falcons’ Offensive Struggles
The faltering offense highlights the challenges that lie ahead for Atlanta. Despite striving to sharpen their playbook, the Falcons find themselves struggling to translate potential into points with an ever-present gap in execution when it counts. If Atlanta desires to turn their season around, there's no question they’ll need to substantially boost their scoring efforts.
However, there's a glimmer of hope based on their defensive statistics. Between Week 11 and Week 13, the Falcons’ defense ranked an impressive eighth in Expected Points Added per play during non-garbage-time moments. This suggests a potential foundation upon which the Falcons could build a more balanced attack.
Kirk Cousins: An Investment Under Fire
Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins, who was signed on with a hefty $100 million fully guaranteed contract in March, finds himself in the harsh glare of the spotlight. In the past four games, Cousins has thrown eight interceptions and has notably not registered a single touchdown. Such performance metrics have cast doubts over the returns on this significant investment in the veteran quarterback.
His fourth-quarter performances have been particularly concerning, recording a 56 passer rating with two touchdowns juxtaposed against eight interceptions. Moreover, Cousins has managed just a 61.2% completion rate with 6.20 yards per attempt in the final frames—a stretch universally recognized as critical for shaping the outcome of games.
Atlanta's Close Calls
There’s little to separate Atlanta from many of their competitors, with nine out of their 13 games being within a single score entering the fourth quarter. This statistic reveals both the competitiveness of the Falcons and their difficulty closing out games when the pressure mounts. It's a narrative that could pivot to success with a few key adjustments on both sides of the ball.
In the backdrop of these performances, Cousins’ long-term numbers in Atlanta paint a slightly brighter picture. Historically, he's achieved a 67% completion rate and 7.8 yards per attempt on the Falcons' turf, alongside a comparable 67.8% completion with a 7.6-yard average during his tenure in Minnesota. It's a ray of hope that suggests Cousins is capable of producing at a high level, though synergy on the field remains paramount for his success.
The Road Ahead
Drafting Michael Penix Jr. as the No. 8 overall pick last April adds another layer to Atlanta's strategy, indicating an eye on the future with the possibility of reinvigorating their options at quarterback. As the Falcons gear up for upcoming matchups against the Raiders, Giants, Commanders, and Panthers, they sit just a game behind the 7-6 Buccaneers. The games ahead present an opportunity for Atlanta to recalibrate and rally.
In a league where margins are razor-thin and the stakes ever so high, the Falcons’ journey remains a compelling storyline to watch. Whether it's harnessing untapped potential in their talent or fine-tuning their strategic approach, Atlanta's ability to convert close encounters into triumphs may well shape their season's destiny.