The Atlanta Falcons are on a two-game losing streak but at 6-5, things could certainly be worse. After finishing the last three seasons with a 7-10 record, the team can break its six-year postseason drought with a strong finish over the final six games of 2024.
The biggest difference this year has been the addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Despite the team’s many flaws, Cousins has helped Atlanta win multiple one-score games over the first 11 weeks. The 36-year-old has passed for 2,807 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
From 2021 to 2023, the Falcons used multiple first-round picks on offensive weapons, drafting Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson in consecutive years. Cousins has helped the team utilize these young playmakers in a way that Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder could not.
NFL.com released a new feature highlighting one player for each team to be thankful for entering Week 13. Cousins was considered a “no-brainer” for Atlanta:
Kirk Cousins. This one was a no-brainer. The Falcons gave Cousins $100 million in guaranteed money because they needed a quarterback they could trust to make them a real postseason contender. He’s done exactly that so far, even if Atlanta just suffered two tough losses prior to the Week 12 bye. Cousins has produced solid numbers (17 touchdown passes, nine interceptions), and he’s led the Falcons to a 4-1 record in the NFC South thus far. That puts him light years ahead of what this team was getting from signal-callers like Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke over the previous couple years. — Jeffri Chadiha, NFL.com
Atlanta’s final six games could be tougher than we previously thought. In Week 13, the red-hot Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) will come to town. The Falcons also have games coming up against the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) and Washington Commanders (7-5).
The team has three other, more winnable games left on the schedule, including a potential Week 15 matchup against Desmond Ridder and the Las Vegas Raiders. Check out the team’s remaining schedule, featuring score predictions for each game.
The Falcons host the Chargers this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.