Kirk Cousins Breaks Silence on Falcons’ Playoff Hopes—A Shocking Self-Reflection!

As the Atlanta Falcons fight to secure a playoff spot, head coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins agree that the veteran signal-caller must elevate his performance in the season’s final stretch. Following a narrow 15-9 victory over the struggling Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, the pressure on Cousins to deliver has only intensified.

Cousins’ Recent Struggles

Cousins’ performance against the Raiders was far from inspiring. He completed just 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. Over his previous four games, he failed to throw a single touchdown while tossing eight interceptions. His recent slump has raised questions about the Falcons’ offensive capabilities.

“I think I need to play better. I don’t think that’s a mystery,” Cousins admitted. “The last few weeks, I would say I need to play better. Raheem says it, but it’s stating the obvious.”

The numbers back up Cousins’ self-assessment. In 159 career starts, this game marked his third-lowest completion total and fourth-worst passing yardage performance. He currently leads the NFL with a career-high 16 interceptions, a troubling stat for a quarterback expected to guide a playoff-contending team.

Coach Morris’ Call for Accountability

Coach Raheem Morris didn’t sugarcoat the situation, emphasizing the need for improvement from his starting quarterback.

“He’s got to play better,” Morris said after the win. “We’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 get him to play better.”

Morris also acknowledged that evaluating the quarterback position is part of the team’s continuous improvement process. With team owner Arthur Blank present in the post-game press conference, Morris expressed urgency about enhancing the Falcons’ offensive execution.

Areas for Improvement

Cousins identified one primary focus for the coming games: better decision-making.

“I think it’s always just decision-making, so you’re not putting the ball in harm’s way and not trying to be too aggressive,” Cousins explained. “The key is protecting the football.”

This back-to-basics approach could be crucial as the Falcons aim to reclaim the NFC South lead. Cousins’ contract—a four-year, $180 million deal signed earlier this season—adds another layer of pressure for him to perform at an elite level.

Playoff Picture and Rising Competition

The Falcons currently sit one game behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. With only three games left, every performance matters. Adding to the tension is the presence of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., waiting for an opportunity to step in if Cousins continues to struggle.

“We’ve got everybody on our roster for a reason, right?” Morris said when asked about the possibility of a quarterback change. “We’ve got so much to get better at, and those things will always be discussed. That’s just the nature of the beast in football.”

While Morris emphasized the team’s “next-game” mentality, the Falcons’ playoff hopes may hinge on whether Cousins can rediscover his form from earlier in the season. His next few performances will likely determine Atlanta’s postseason fate.