Atlanta Falcons Seek to Break Losing Streak Amid Offensive Struggles
The Atlanta Falcons are grappling with a challenging phase in their season, as they face a winless streak over their last four games. Unable to secure any victories recently, the Falcons find themselves in a tight spot as they aim to bounce back into contention in the NFC South race.
Offensive Challenges
A significant factor in the Falcons' recent struggles has been their underwhelming offensive production. Over the past four games, Atlanta has averaged a mere 14.25 points per game. This offensive inefficiency places a considerable burden on their defense, which has shown bright spots amidst the team's overall slump.
Defensive Prowess
Despite the team's recent difficulties, Atlanta's defense has performed admirably, ranking eighth in Expected Points Added per play in non-garbage time moments from Week 11 through Week 13. This defensive resilience underscores a potential foundation upon which the Falcons might rebuild their winning ways.
Kirk Cousins' Struggles
Elsewhere in the league, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was acquired with a hefty $100 million fully guaranteed contract in March, has been experiencing a challenging period. Within the past four games, Cousins has thrown eight interceptions while failing to register a single touchdown—an alarming statistic for any starting quarterback.
The struggles extend notably into the fourth quarter, where Cousins' performance has been particularly underwhelming. He's maintained a 56 passer rating in these crucial moments, with just two touchdowns juxtaposed against eight interceptions. Furthermore, his completion rate in these periods stands at 61.2%, coupled with an average of 6.20 yards per attempt. These figures mark a stark departure from his historical performance, where he holds a 67% completion rate and 7.8 yards per attempt playing in Atlanta, and a 67.8% rate with an average of 7.6 yards per attempt recorded in Minnesota.
Close Contests
For the Falcons, close games have been a recurring theme this season. Nine of Atlanta's 13 games have entered the fourth quarter within a single score, highlighting the fine margins that have defined their current campaign. These tight situations punctuate the team's ability to stay competitive, albeit without consistent victorious results.
Looking Forward
As the Falcons gear up for their upcoming matchups against the Raiders, Giants, Commanders, and Panthers, they stand just one game behind the 7-6 Buccaneers in the divisional race. The Falcons will undoubtedly look to their recent draft investment, Michael Penix Jr., selected as the No. 8 overall pick last April, as a potential catalyst for positive change.
Navigating the remainder of the season requires the Falcons to not only tighten their offensive clamps but to capitalize on their defensive strengths. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins needs to overcome his own struggles to fulfill the promise held by his lucrative contract.
For both parties, the remainder of the season presents a crucial time—a proving ground where potential can morph into reality, and where challenges pose as opportunities for resurgence. Amidst the ebb and flow of an NFL season, it's these defining stretches that most acutely write the legacy of players and teams alike.