Kirk Cousins’ Struggles Lead to Mid-Rank Position on NFL QB Index
Kirk Cousins, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, is facing instability in his performances, placing him in the middle tier of NFL.com’s weekly QB rankings. After an impressive Week 5, where he set records with 734 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and just 1 turnover over two weeks, the 36-year-old QB now shows signs of inconsistency.
Turnovers Lead to Decline in QB Rankings
In last Sunday’s 20-point loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Cousins committed 3 costly turnovers, causing him to fall two spots on NFL.com’s QB index. Analyst Nick Shook highlighted Cousins’ inconsistent performance in 2024, noting that while he connected beautifully with Kyle Pitts and secured a third-quarter touchdown to Drake London, he later faltered under pressure.
Defensive Pressure and Critical Errors
Facing relentless pressure from Seattle’s defense, Cousins was stripped by Boye Mafe, leading to a defensive touchdown for Seattle. Rather than bouncing back, he continued to make errors, including two interceptions in quick succession. While one interception was due to a slip by London, the second was a serious error that led to another turnover.
Missed Opportunities and Atlanta’s Struggles
Perhaps Cousins’ most painful missed opportunity came in the second half, targeting Ray-Ray McCloud on a critical third-down play. The incomplete pass kept the Falcons out of the red zone, leading to a missed field goal by Younghoe Koo. The Seahawks capitalized, extending their lead to 10-0, forcing the Falcons to chase points for the remainder of the game.
Upcoming Week 8 Opportunity
Cousins has a chance to rebound in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Notably, in a previous matchup, he set a Falcons franchise record with 509 passing yards and 4 touchdowns against the Buccaneers’ defense, offering hope for a stronger performance and a potential turnaround.
