Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 199 yards and a pair of touchdowns (one interception, too) last week in his second start of the season and first since Week 8. The veteran was able to put that solid fantasy performance together despite completing just 16 passes (23 attempts). It could be tough sledding in Week 13 in a road matchup against the Jets, a defense that has yielded the tenth-fewest pass yards per game (194.6) on the season and eighth-fewest over the past three weeks (181.3). Not only that, the 37-year-old will be without the team's top receiving option, Drake London (knee), for the second straight week. Fold in a low implied total of 39.5 for this game (21 for Atlanta) and the fact that the Falcons may lean more heavily on Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, it leaves Cousins as a low-end QB2 in Week 13.
Nov 29, 2025 2:31 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins did enough to help his team win on Sunday, leading them to a 24-10 victory over the Saints. He completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 199 yards and two touchdowns along with one interception, adding two rushes for five yards. It's probably the best fantasy managers could have hoped for without top receiving option, Drake London (knee), and with the running backs tallying 26 carries. With Michael Penix Jr. (knee) out for the rest of the season, Cousins will get a handful more opportunities in the coming weeks, including a favorable matchup Week 13 against the Jets, a team that has yielded the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year. Despite the decent matchup, it will be on the road in the cold, possibly without London again, and the 37-year-old will likely be a low-end QB2 option for that contest.
Nov 25, 2025 1:08 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will make his second start of the season on the road in Week 12 against the Saints, with the team losing Michael Penix Jr. (knee) to injury for the rest of the year. The 37-year-old started the team's Week 8 contest against the Dolphins, but unsurprisingly looked rusty, completing 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards and no scores (and zero interceptions). Expectations should not be high for managers considering the veteran as a streaming option, as he lost his job to Penix last year and was unable to wrest it back to begin 2025. Also, the Saints have been solid on defense, limiting opposing quarterbacks to the 17th-most fantasy points in the league, and they get the benefit of this game being played in New Orleans. With a low implied point total for Atlanta in this one (19), there isn't expected to be a lot of scoring, and if there is, it could come from the one-two punch of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier on the ground, especially given that top wide receiver Drake London (knee) will be out. As such, Cousins projects as a low-end QB2 in this matchup.
Nov 22, 2025 4:44 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. had a quiet Week 11 with three targets and two catches for 38 yards, but could be in line for more work in Week 12 against the Saints. Averaging over six targets, four catches, and 43 yards per game in 2025, the 25-year-old could see a couple more looks with teammate Drake London (knee) ruled out. In Week 8, when London was also absent due to injury, the 6-foot-6 tight end garnered a team-leading nine targets, catching all nine for 59 yards. Kirk Cousins was under center for that game, and will be again in Week 12 with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) out for the rest of the season. Pitts was very volatile last season with Cousins as the signal caller, recording one catch or fewer in five contests. The Saints rank near the middle in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, so it's not an overly tough matchup, but there is some uncertainty with how this offense will look with Cousins at quarterback, so the fifth-year pro projects as a low-end TE1 this week.
Nov 22, 2025 2:44 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins took over the starting job this week with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) on injured reserve. The veteran has struggled since signing with Atlanta, but he could get back onto the fantasy radar with high passing volume and the benefit of throwing to a star receiver in Drake London. London has 60 catches, 810 yards, and six touchdowns this year, and his emergence as a top receiver in the NFL should bode well for Cousins' fantasy value. He'll also have decent targets in Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson at his disposal. Cousins is a gunslinger who should rack up passing yardage and touchdowns, so the biggest concern is whether he can limit turnovers. He has not yet thrown an interception through three games (one start) in 2025, and he'll be eased into action with a soft matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. He's a solid low-end QB2 who can be started in superflex leagues.
Nov 19, 2025 11:38 PM EST
When asked if the offense will look different with quarterback Kirk Cousins taking over as the starter, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said, "It's fair to say it'll look different." Michael Penix Jr. (knee) aggravated a bone bruise and knee sprain and also suffered ligament damage to the ACL in his left knee in Sunday's overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, and the 25-year-old second-year signal-caller potentially will miss the rest of the year. He will at least miss the next four games after being put on Injured Reserve on Monday. We'd expect the Falcons to lean more on running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier now that Cousins is starting again. The 37-year-old completed only 61.5% of his passes for 250 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in three games (one start) this year. The four-time Pro Bowl may get into more of a groove after he gets settled in, but fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to see much passing volume.
Nov 17, 2025 6:18 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has been the most expensive backup QB in the NFL this year, could be forced into starting duties under center for the rest of the year after Michael Penix Jr. (knee) suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in Sunday's overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Penix is seeking a second opinion, but the initial diagnosis is not encouraging. At the very least, the 37-year-old Cousins will likely make his second start of 2025 in Week 12 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. His fantasy stock is obviously going to jump drastically if Penix misses the rest of the year, but at least in the short term, fantasy managers might want to temper expectations, especially with top receiver Drake London (knee) also expected to miss time with a PCL sprain he suffered on Sunday. In Cousins' lone start against Miami in a 34-10 loss on Oct. 26, he did not look good, going 21-for-31 passing for 173 yards, no touchdowns, and no picks.
Nov 17, 2025 12:06 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) exited during the third quarter of Sunday's Week 11 contest against the Carolina Panthers. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also rushed for nine yards. With Penix currently sidelined, Kirk Cousins has entered the game at quarterback. The veteran signal-caller will be tasked with preserving Atlanta's marginal lead in a tight divisional battle at home. The Falcons face the Saints next Sunday, so if Penix can't return today, he'll have seven days to rest and recover before his next game.
Nov 16, 2025 3:26 PM EST
The Athletic's Josh Kendall reports that the Atlanta Falcons have yet to have "any serious trade discussions with another team," regarding quarterback Kirk Cousins ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline. Cousins has been the speculation of quarterback-needy teams, although his recent performance in a blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins likely didn't help his case. As it stands, Atlanta is likely to hold both the veteran and second-year pro Michael Penix Jr. (knee). However, Kendall notes that doesn't mean Cousins is a long-term fit for the team. He figures to resume backup duties behind Penix Jr. once the latter is fully recovered from his knee injury. That's likely to change following the 2025 season.
Oct 31, 2025 11:35 AM EST
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will get the start in Sunday's meeting with the Dolphins. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was limited during the week because of a bone bruise. Although it appears he's moving in the right direction, potentially returning in Week 9 versus the New England Patriots, he won't be out there in Week 8. As far as Cousins is concerned, he's not getting any younger. However, there's no denying he's had a productive career in the National Football League. The 37-year-old has appeared in 165 regular-season contests, throwing for 43,008 yards, 288 touchdowns, and 126 interceptions while completing 66.9% of his throws. He's also found the end zone 19 times on the run. Cousins has a favorable matchup against a Dolphins defense that hasn't looked the best. While he's still not the safest or trustworthy fantasy option, desperate managers can look his way for streaming purposes, considering the number of injured quarterbacks along with six teams getting the week off for their bye.
Oct 26, 2025 1:41 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is "highly likely" to start Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Michael Penix (knee) is still recovering from a bone bruise and ceded first-team reps to Cousins at practice this week. The veteran will make his first start since last season, when he completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions before being benched. Turnovers are a real concern with Cousins as he gets ready to lead Atlanta's offense. Fortunately for him, though, Miami has struggled to defend the pass, recording just one interception while allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Oct 25, 2025 9:04 AM EST
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Atlanta Falcons have no plans on trading quarterback Kirk Cousins, at least "for now." There are several factors to consider regarding a potential deal involving the signal-caller. He has a no-trade clause. In addition, his hefty contract is something most teams aren't willing (or able) to take on. After Michael Penix Jr. played poorly in the Week 3 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers, some believed Cousins would reclaim his spot as the team's starting quarterback. However, that's not the case, with Penix in line to remain under center. Of course, anything could change. With that said, as long as Cousins isn't starting, he's not worth rostering in any format. On the other hand, his fantasy stock could climb significantly if he gets shipped elsewhere and gets a chance to start. Cousins briefly saw some action in Week 3, throwing for 29 yards off 5-for-7 passing.
Sep 27, 2025 7:46 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that the team still has full confidence in quarterback Michael Penix Jr. despite his rough performance in the 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, according to Terrin Waack of AtlantaFalcons.com. The Falcons will not consider veteran backup Kirk Cousins for the starting job. "We're not even close to that with Mike. He had a bad day. We had a bad day. Mike is our quarterback. We got a lot of confidence in Mike. We're moving forward with Mike. Mike's the guy," Morris said. Cousins entered late in the blowout loss on Sunday and went 5-for-7 for 29 yards. The Falcons could quickly change their tune if Penix continues to struggle, but for now, Atlanta will keep Cousins in the backup role going into a Week 4 matchup against the Washington Commanders. It's possible Cousins will be traded, but through three weeks, his trade market has been quiet.
Sep 24, 2025 12:08 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed just 18 of his 36 pass attempts for 172 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions during Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons were held scoreless in their ugly divisional loss, prompting the team's coaching staff to replace Penix with veteran Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter. Cousins completed five of seven passes for 29 yards during his limited action. The quarterback change was likely due to the blowout and not indicative of the Falcons' depth chart moving forward. Still, managers should stay tuned to upcoming depth chart news from Atlanta nonetheless.
Sep 21, 2025 4:06 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is surprisingly not drawing much interest from around the league. The Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, and San Francisco 49ers are all starting backup quarterbacks, but still no calls for Cousins. Possibly, the Falcons are asking for too much in exchange for Cousins. The 37-year-old does carry a hefty salary, which could be problematic in trade discussions. Regardless, it doesn't sound like anyone has real interest in Cousins right now. That could change if these backup quarterbacks struggle, but for now there's no reason to roster Cousins in fantasy leagues.
Sep 21, 2025 9:35 AM EST
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that "it does not seem" like anyone is trying to call the Atlanta Falcons to try and trade for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins after the first two weeks of the season. The Cincinnati Bengals just lost Joe Burrow (toe) for at least three months, but they have not called anyone and seem content to roll with Jake Browning under center for the time being. Cousins is a proven starting QB in the NFL and has a fully guaranteed $27.5 million salary for the 2025 season. If another team becomes interested in Cousins this year, they will have to pay some of his hefty salary and will have to give up a real draft pick in return. The Falcons are holding all the chips right now and are going to "drive a hard bargain" for any team that comes asking about Cousins. It's possible the Bengals become interested in Cousins if Browning falls flat over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.
Sep 18, 2025 7:27 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins will not play in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Neither of the team's top two signal-callers has played at all in preseason action. Easton Stick has been Atlanta's most-used quarterback through the team's first two preseason games and figures to get most of the reps against Dallas. With fourth-stringer Emory Jones (head) in concussion protocol, Schefter reports that the team has signed quarterback Ben DiNucci.
Aug 18, 2025 11:41 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is not playing in the team's preseason game on Friday night against the Tennessee Titans, but he is finally healthy again and has been impressive during training camp, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It remains to be seen if Cousins will ever play for the Falcons again, as Michael Penix Jr. is their starter under center moving forward, and Cousins has made it clear that he wants to play in 2025. The Falcons received some calls on the veteran signal-caller in the spring, but nothing worked out. Pelissero says it's possible he could be traded before the Nov. 4 deadline, possibly to a team like the Los Angeles Rams if Matthew Stafford's back issues linger. For now, though, Cousins is the QB2 in Atlanta and will be off the fantasy radar while on the bench. He's making $27.5 million guaranteed in 2025, making him easily the highest-paid backup in the league.
Aug 15, 2025 7:14 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons will not play quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins in the team's first preseason game on Friday against the Detroit Lions, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Easton Stick and Emory Jones are the quarterbacks on Atlanta's depth chart behind their top two guys, so they will presumably split snaps against Detroit. Penix Jr. is expected to enter the season as the starter for Atlanta after taking over for Cousins in Week 16 of 2024. The veteran Cousins had been the subject of some trade speculation during the offseason, but it appears Atlanta is planning to keep him in place as the backup. In 14 games last year, the 36-year-old completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards, throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. There's not much that Cousins needs to prove in preseason action at this point in his career.
Aug 4, 2025 9:24 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said in an episode of the Netflix series "Quarterback" that he felt "a little bit misled" when the Falcons took Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. It came just after Atlanta signed Cousins to a contract worth at least $100 million guaranteed to be their starter in 2024 and beyond. "I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high," Cousins said. The 36-year-old led the team to a 6-3 start before injuring his right shoulder. After that, the Falcons lost four straight games, with Cousins throwing eight interceptions and no touchdowns in that stretch. He was eventually benched in Week 16 for Penix, who heads into 2025 as the unquestioned starter, with Cousins backing him up. Cousins could get traded during training camp, but for now he's useless in fantasy as a backup.
Jul 10, 2025 1:51 PM EST
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
