Kirk Cousins Acknowledges Need for Improvement as Falcons Chase Playoffs
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The pressure is mounting for the Atlanta Falcons as they aim to secure a playoff position in the final stretch of the season. Head coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins both recognize the necessity for improved performance, especially from the seasoned quarterback, as they look ahead to their upcoming games.
“He’s got to play better,” Morris stated after the Falcons achieved a hard-fought 15-9 victory on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. “Obviously, you’ve got to go back and look at everything. But he wants to play better, he’s got to play better, and we’ve got to find a way to facilitate that improvement.”
Cousins’ performance was underwhelming, completing just 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. This disappointing outing follows a challenging stretch where he recorded no touchdown passes and eight interceptions across his last four starts.
In his 159 career starts, Cousins recorded his third-lowest completions and fourth-lowest passing yards, raising eyebrows concerning his contribution during crucial moments of the game.
“I think I need to play better. I don’t think that’s a mystery,” Cousins acknowledged, noting that he currently leads the NFL with a career-high 16 interceptions. “I think the last few weeks, I would say I need to play better. Raheem says it, but it’s stating the obvious.”
The key focus for Cousins moving forward will be making better decisions to protect the football. “I think it’s always just decision-making so that you’re not putting the ball in harm’s way and not trying to be too aggressive,” he explained. Given his lucrative four-year, $180 million contract, expectations are understandably high.
As Atlanta sits just one game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South, Morris noted that all options remain on the table regarding improving performance. “We’ve got everybody on our roster for a reason, right? We’ve got a lot of areas to improve on, and those discussions will be ongoing. Our immediate goal is to find a way to win the next game—nothing short of that.”
With rookie Michael Penix Jr. waiting in the wings, the urgency for Cousins to elevate his gameplay is palpable. The coming weeks will be critical both for his career trajectory and for the Falcons’ playoff ambitions.
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