Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins enjoyed another big day versus Tampa Bay, completing 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns without throwing a pick. The 36-year-old signal-caller even chipped in 16 yards on three carries. The veteran QB probably wishes he could face the Buccaneers every week, now with 785 yards and an 8:1 TD:INT in two games versus their divisional foe. He'll finish the week as a top-five QB for fantasy, however, the 13-year pro has been fairly pedestrian otherwise, averaging 220 yards per game with a 6:6 TD:INT, those two games versus the Bucs notwithstanding. Cousins will get a somewhat favorable matchup in Week 9 against the Cowboys and figures to be a QB2 with QB1 upside again.
Oct 27, 2024 9:18 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins posted another lackluster performance in Week 7 despite facing an undermanned Seattle defense, finishing as QB23 for the week after throwing more interceptions (2) than touchdown passes (1) for the third time in seven games. Looking ahead to Week 8, the 36-year-old has a chance to get back on track against a Tampa Bay team that he faced in Week 5 and completed 42 of 58 pass attempts for 508 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. The Buccaneers have been vulnerable versus both the pass and the run this season, but are allowing 254.0 net pass YPG (fourth-worst) compared to 132.0 rush YPG (19th), and just yielded five touchdown passes to Lamar Jackson in Week 7. Without their top two receiving options, Tampa Bay could look to the ground game in this one, chewing up clock and limiting offensive opportunities for both teams more than they otherwise would have, so view the veteran quarterback as a volatile high end QB2 with QB1 upside in this matchup.
Oct 25, 2024 9:46 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 24-of-35 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown but turned the ball over three times in a 34-14 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday. Two of the turnovers came via interception and the other was a fumble that turned into a scoop-and-score for the Seahawks. It was the fifth time in seven games that Cousins failed to record two or more touchdown passes and he now has seven picks in as many games. This was supposed to be a favorable matchup with a banged-up Seahawks secondary and Atlanta favored by three points, but instead, it was a lopsided affair that went in Seattle's favor. While it makes Cousins hard to trust as a weekly streaming option, the good news is that the 36-year-old gets the Buccaneers in Week 8, a team he threw for over 500 yards against with four TDs just a few weeks ago, so he'll get an opportunity to bounce back next week.
Oct 21, 2024 11:36 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins came back to Earth in Week 6, completing 19 passes for 225 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions on 30 attempts as the team went with more of a balanced attack. It marked the fourth time in six games that the 36-year-old threw for one TD or fewer, finishing outside the top 20 at the position for the week. Week 7's matchup with the Seahawks has shootout potential with 51 projected total points and the Falcons as only slim favorites on their home turf, which bodes well for the veteran signal caller's chances of putting up solid fantasy numbers, however, we should see more of a balanced attack again with Seattle looking particularly vulnerable against the run in recent weeks. Still, with the positive game script that is expected, the Michigan State product projects as a high-end QB2.
Oct 18, 2024 9:43 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 19 of his 30 pass attempts in Sunday's 38-20 victory over the Panthers. The 36-year-old tallied 225 pass yards and threw just one touchdown pass, as it was the ground game that took over in this one with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combining for 200 yards rushing and three TDs. Outside of his monster Week 5 performance, the veteran QB has been fairly pedestrian for fantasy, with only two multi-touchdown performances in six games, while Sunday marked just the second time this season that he didn't throw an interception. Next week's potentially high-scoring home date with Seattle makes him a viable streaming option though, and assuming the offense keeps progressing he should be at least a high-end QB2 most weeks with upside.
Oct 14, 2024 9:11 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is coming off a career game in Week 5 versus Tampa Bay in which he threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns (also one interception). Before that game, however, the 36-year-old had only one multi-touchdown-pass performance in four games, averaged just 216 yards per game, and threw four picks during that time. It would be unreasonable to expect another game like Week 5, but the Panthers' defense has been very susceptible through the air, allowing a league-high 11 passing TDs and is bottom-third in passing yards allowed. On the flip side, Carolina has been generous against the run as well and with Atlanta being six-point favorites, the Falcons may deploy a more balanced attack, potentially leaning on the run game late. Regardless, Cousins is a viable streaming option with high upside, and for those thinking ahead, he'll face the Buccaneers again in Week 8.
Oct 11, 2024 9:11 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception during Thursday's overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cousins was truly dominant, setting a single-game franchise record for passing yards while leading his team to a come-from-behind victory. The veteran quarterback seems to have adapted quite well ever since a shaky Week 1 showing at home. It was a historic fantasy performance for Cousins, and while we can't count on him to throw for 509 yards and four touchdowns every week, he certainly inspired much-needed confidence in managers. Equally important was his impact on Atlanta's pass-catchers. Drake London had one of the best games of his career, catching 12 of 13 targets for a whopping 154 yards and one touchdown. Kyle Pitts found his groove with seven catches for 88 yards. Darnell Mooney turned 16 targets into nine catches, 105 yards, and two touchdowns, and he would've likely scored a third had he not dropped a pass that hit him in the chest in the final quarter. The Falcons' offense is trending upward with one quarterback, two running backs, three receivers, and a tight end all on the fantasy radar heading into Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers.
Oct 4, 2024 12:12 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will do what he can to improve his play when the Falcons take on the Tampa Buccaneers on Thursday Night. Cousins has a 4:4 TD: INT ratio in 2024, so he's hardly earning the $180 million contract he signed in the offseason. Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth most points to opposing quarterbacks this year. However, the numbers can fool you as they've allowed just one passing touchdown, which is tied for the least amount in the league. The Bucs had to face quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts, and their rushing production accounted for a large portion of those points. Tampa Bay isn't an easy team to pass against, and with Cousins and the entire Falcons pass-catching corps being massively disappointing so far, it might be difficult for them to put together good drives consistently. Cousins isn't worth starting in single-quarterback leagues against the Bucs in Week 5. He has no rushing upside, has mediocre production, and is facing a formidable defense against the pass.
Oct 2, 2024 8:30 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 35 passes for 238 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception during Sunday's Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints. He took just one sack in the contest. Although Cousins didn't register a touchdown and did throw an interception, he still managed to lead four scoring drives en route to a big divisional victory over the Saints. Equally important was the rapport that Cousins seemed to have with Drake London, who has suddenly totaled 18 catches and two touchdowns over the last three games after some initial panic about his lack of involvement back in Week 1. Cousins may no longer have the low-end QB1 appeal he possessed in Minnesota, but he's still a modest QB2 who can support fantasy-relevant performances from the Atlanta playmakers while keeping the Falcons in contention for the NFC South title.
Sep 30, 2024 12:32 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 20-of-29 attempts for 230 yards in Sunday night's 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He tossed one touchdown and interception and lost one yard on his lone rush attempt. Cousins and the Falcons' offense battled throughout the contest to try and make it a game, but they came up just short. Atlanta was down five with just over four minutes left to go in regulation when Cousins targeted tight end Kyle Pitts in the end zone on 3rd-and-5 deep inside Chiefs territory. Pitts had KC safety Bryan Cook draped all over him, and there appeared to be heavy contact on the play, although no flag had been called. Atlanta would turn it over on downs; however, they did have another chance inside the Chiefs' 20-yard-line with under a minute to go but were stuffed for a loss on 4th-and-inches. That would eventually ice the game for the reigning Super Bowl champs. There will be better days ahead for the long-time Viking. He and the Falcons will look to get back in the win column in Week 4 when the team hosts a tough New Orleans Saints squad.
Sep 23, 2024 2:14 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been decent in his first two games with his new team. He had a rough start to the season, throwing for 155 yards, one touchdown, and two picks versus the Steelers. However, the veteran signal-caller turned it around in the Week 2 meeting with the Eagles, tossing for 241 yards and two touchdowns while completing 69.0% of his attempts. Under normal circumstances, Cousins isn't always a lock to considered a starter in fantasy lineups from week to week. But with guys like Justin Herbert (ankle) and Jordan Love (knee) battling injuries, Cousins may be a safer option against a Chiefs defense that has struggled against opposing quarterbacks this season.
Sep 21, 2024 3:22 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins led a thrilling comeback to secure a 22-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Cousins completed 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. While the offense struggled in the first half, Cousins found his rhythm in the third quarter, connecting with receiver Darnell Mooney for a 41-yard touchdown to give the Falcons a 15-10 lead. Although the Eagles briefly retook the lead with a Jalen Hurts touchdown and a late field goal, Cousins orchestrated a decisive drive in the final 1:39. Starting from their own 30-yard line, Cousins completed 4 of 5 passes, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass to Drake London to tie the game. Cousins will look to build on this performance when the Falcons face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. With his current form, Cousins remains a matchup-dependent fringe QB1.
Sep 17, 2024 12:27 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins had an underwhelming debut for his new team in Week 1. He has an equally tough, if not more challenging, matchup this Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's not necessarily due to the Eagles' defense, who allowed 280 yards passing to Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers the week prior, but because of the high expectations and the pressure to perform to a much higher standard than his Week 1 showing. The Falcons could be down early and often, providing value for fantasy managers this week. Still, it is not wise to start Kirk Cousins in any lineups in any 10 or 12-team leagues until we see the camaraderie and potential this team could truly have. Cousins is mainly an option in superflex or 2QB leagues, ranking 21st among all quarterbacks in the latest RotoBaller Week 2 rankings.
Sep 14, 2024 2:43 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) said all offseason and throughout training camp that he didn't have any restrictions coming off an Achilles tear last year. But after Cousins and the Falcons' offense struggled in the Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was hard to tell if Cousins was 100%. Based on conversations, Cousins' leg feels good and doesn't have lingering issues from his surgery. However, there appears to be a rust factor while working with first-time play-caller Zac Robinson. "Just as we afford rookie QBs some leeway, let's extend the same understanding to first-time play callers," a source said. Cousins didn't play in any preseason games and was facing a swarming Steelers defense in Week 1. Fantasy managers that have Cousins rostered as their No. 2 signal-caller will be hoping he can knock off the rust for a Monday night showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sep 14, 2024 12:13 PM EST
Kirk Cousins (Achilles) provided an update on his health following his Week 1 return during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday morning. Cousins expressed satisfaction with his ankle and Achilles, saying, "I felt good honestly. I was really pleased with how my ankle felt, not just the Achilles, but my ankle felt really good." Despite this positive report, Cousins' performance was underwhelming after his return from an Achilles tear. His play was marred by questionable interceptions, including one thrown into double coverage. Additionally, Cousins played mainly from the pistol formation and only went under center twice, limiting his opportunities for play-action, which he typically relies on for success. With the Philadelphia Eagles coming up on Monday night, Cousins remains a risky fantasy option until he demonstrates full recovery and improved performance.
Sep 12, 2024 12:56 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said there wasn't a correlation between quarterback Kirk Cousins' (Achilles) health and his play-calling decisions in the Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8 of last year with the Minnesota Vikings before joining Atlanta in free agency back in March. After Cousins signed, both he and Morris reiterated that he was fine physically. "I feel like Kirk is healthy," Morris said. "He's been healthy since he's been here, since he's been back." The veteran signal-caller went 16-for-26 for 155 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for a QB rating of 59.0, the eight-lowest of his starting career. Questions about Cousins' health won't go away if he struggles again in a Week 2 Monday night showdown in Philadelphia against the Eagles, where Cousins will be on the QB2 radar for fantasy managers in his second start for Atlanta.
Sep 10, 2024 1:24 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled in his first game with his new team, completing 16-of-26 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown with one rushing attempt for no gain in an 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coming off the severe leg injury, it's not a complete shock that Cousins struggled in his first game back from recovery. The newly revamped offensive line was also no help, as he was sacked twice and was under constant pressure throughout the game. It may take some time for Cousins to find that efficiency he had back in Minnesota, especially with a prime-time matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on deck next week on Sunday Night Football.
Sep 9, 2024 3:15 AM EST
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is taking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) as his pick as the biggest-name QB coming off an injury in 2024 to have a bounce-back performance. Cousins is recovering from an Achilles tear from last year, but the fact that he's a pure pocket passer will make his recovery from the injury that much more easier in 2024. The Falcons offense also has three former top-10 picks in receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts, and Cousins is fully expected to help take all of their games to the next level in his first year in Atlanta. Cousins is expected to be ready to go for Week 1 on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Vikings signal-caller isn't on the QB1 radar in fantasy this year while coming off his Achilles injury, but he has the potential to serve as a high-end backup if he stays healthy.
Sep 6, 2024 3:51 PM EST
If the Atlanta Falcons stick to their plan, quarterback Kirk Cousins (leg) will enter the regular season without any game action this year. Cousins did participate in the joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Miami Dolphins, but he's unlikely to suit up during the preseason. Head coach Raheem Morris is fine with where's the signal-caller is at in his recovery from last season's torn Achilles and believes Cousins will be ready for the regular-season opener, which is set for Sep. 8 against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Although Cousins will be 36 years old by the time the season starts and is coming off a serious injury, he was playing at an MVP level before going down last year, throwing for 291.4 yards per game with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts for the Minnesota Vikings. Treat him as a fringe QB1/2 to begin his first season with Atlanta.
Aug 9, 2024 2:54 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) "is read to go" and medically cleared for training camp, but that the team will do some "modifications" for his work this summer. Cousins will not start camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which is great news for all involved in Atlanta's offense heading into the 2024 campaign. The 35-year-old veteran tore his Achilles in late October last year and is now attempting to learn a new offense in his first year with the Falcons. Although he won't be throwing to All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson anymore, Cousins will have plenty of weapons around him in his new home. But with no rushing ability and coming off a serious injury going into his age-36 campaign, Cousins has a limited ceiling and cannot be trusted as anything more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy.
Jul 25, 2024 1:02 PM EST