LAS VEGAS — The Atlanta Falcons snapped their four-game dropping streak and stored their hopes of profitable the NFC South alive Monday night time after their 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. But the group nonetheless has a evident situation: its quarterback play.
Kirk Cousins was 11-of-17 for 112 yards with one landing and one interception in a sport the Falcons leaned closely on their speeding assault. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier mixed for 34 carries.
Cousins has 9 interceptions in his previous 5 video games with only a single landing go throughout that span. His first-quarter, 30-yard lob to huge receiver Drake London was his first landing go since Week 9 — when the Falcons have been 6-3 and answerable for their division.
“He’s acquired to play higher and clearly, you bought to return, you bought to get to have a look at all the pieces,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris mentioned. “But he needs to play higher. He’s acquired to play higher. We’ve acquired to discover a solution to get him to play higher.”
Morris didn’t say he was able to make a swap at quarterback. The Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth total choose within the NFL draft in April, a couple of weeks after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract.
Atlanta (7-7) centered so closely on the operating sport that Cousins didn’t throw on first down within the first half. It was the primary time that has occurred in his 13-year profession.
Cousins threw two interceptions in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings final week, however had 344 yards by means of the air. Those huge performs weren’t there in opposition to the Raiders and the Falcons went 4-of-13 on third down.
Morris mentioned Cousins confirmed enchancment in opposition to the Vikings, coming off a four-interception efficiency in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13. When requested if Monday was an enchancment or regression for him, Cousins mentioned it was “slightly of each” and the most important situation for him proper now’s “decision-making.”
“So that you just’re not placing the ball in hurt’s manner and never attempting to be too aggressive,” Cousins mentioned. “And I feel that is actually the important thing. Protect the soccer.”
It was the fewest variety of interceptions he has thrown in three video games and Cousins had no fumbles. He leads the league in each classes — 16 and 12 (tied with Baker Mayfield), respectively. But actually, the outing was lower than his requirements, both.
When Cousins was requested about Morris’ remarks that he wanted to play higher, the quarterback mentioned: “I do not suppose that is a thriller.”
“I feel the previous few weeks I might say I have to play higher,” Cousins mentioned. “Raheem says it, however it’s stating the apparent, and each week you sort of undergo your course of and you intend to go on the market and play the perfect you’ll be able to. And so, this week shall be no totally different.”
