Daniel Matthews
Updated on: October 10, 2024 3:47 pm GMT
Concerns Mount Over Kirk Cousins’s Performance in Falcons’ Season Opener
In the aftermath of an uninspiring start to the 2024 NFL season, Atlanta Falcons fans are left questioning the effectiveness of their team’s offensive strategy, particularly concerning quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is recovering from a torn Achilles. The Falcons fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 18-10 on September 10, 2024, raising questions about the impact of Cousins’s health on the team’s performance and their chosen offensive approach.
The Unexpected Offensive Strategy
Week 1: A Game Unlike Any Other
Typically, NFL teams avoid making sweeping judgments based on the season’s first game, especially when many starters skip preseason action. However, the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive performance during Week 1 was surprising. They employed an offensive strategy unfamiliar to fans, mainly running plays from the pistol or shotgun formations, a drastic shift from their traditional setups. This change left many wondering whether it was a precautionary measure related to Cousins’s recovery.
Kirk Cousins’ Limited Mobility
Despite Coach Raheem Morris’s assurances that Cousins is healthy, observers noted the quarterback was remarkably immobile during the game. The Falcons seemed to adapt their strategy to ensure Cousins faced minimal movement, a significant shift considering his 36-year-old frame and recent surgical history. Critics suggest that this cautious approach might inhibit offensive creativity and effectiveness, particularly without play-action attempts, which the Falcons notably did not utilize.
Predictability Poses Challenges
The game’s statistics reveal the Falcons’ struggle for unpredictability. They executed only two offensive plays not from the shotgun or pistol formations, making it easy for the Steelers to defend against them. Additionally, they avoided any play-actions, which is unusual for an offense that relies on misleading defenses to create openings. This predictability raises concerns about the defensive scouting reports that could be prepared for future matchups.
Coaching Decisions Under Scrutiny
Play-calling Reconsidered
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris indicated that the game plan was tailored specifically for the match against the Steelers. However, many analysts wonder if the decision to restrict Cousins’s movement will serve them in the long term. The team did not showcase their typical offensive schemes during the preseason, leaving observers to speculate whether the new coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, had a broader plan that just wasn’t on display during their preseason games.
Future Adjustments
As attention turns to the Falcons’ upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, the franchise’s direction will likely hinge on how they adjust their offensive strategies. Will Cousins remain under the cautious play-calling, or will they allow him to utilize a broader range of offensive plays that involve movement and creativity? The performance against the Eagles may well dictate the course of the Falcons’ season and Cousins’s tenure with the team.
Looking Towards Week 2
The Falcons face a crucial test on September 18, 2024, with their away game against the Philadelphia Eagles. A lackluster showing could amplify discontent among fans and ESPN analysts, especially if Cousins does not improve. Calls for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. might intensify if the Falcons struggle in their second consecutive game.
Evaluating Fan Expectations and Franchise Decisions
The Falcons invested heavily in Cousins, with a contract valuing approximately $180 million, leading some to feel justified concern about his health and performance ability, given the current state of the offense. Should Cousins’s struggles continue, an inevitable debate over the franchise’s quarterback choices could ensue.
Pressure on Coaches and Players Alike
The following weeks will require adjustments not only from Cousins but the entire coaching staff as they navigate their choices for an offense that remains to find its identity. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if the Falcons can harness Cousins’s experience effectively while ensuring the game plan aligns with his current physical abilities.
Recent Developments in the NFL
Aside from the concerns surrounding the Falcons, the 2024 NFL season has already shown its competitive nature. Teams have started adapting swiftly, particularly as coaching strategies have shifted due to injuries and performance analytics. In particular, other veterans such as Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals have raised questions about their recovery and performance on the field. Burrow’s recent wrist recovery has not silenced concerns about similar issues affecting a quarterback’s mobility, drawing parallels to Cousins’s situation.
Expectation Management Post-Week 1
After an underwhelming opening week, NFL fans are grappling with a wave of mediocrity across multiple teams, from disappointing performances of top-tier quarterbacks to promising rookies struggling to assert themselves on the field. As Week 2 approaches, franchises are focusing on crafting strategies that not only reflect their potential but optimize the talent available. The pressure remains on teams to avoid early-season pitfalls and successfully adjust to their off-season investments
Final Thoughts
The next game will challenge both players and coaches to look closely at how they’re doing and find ways to improve. For the Falcons, it’s really important to play well against the Eagles. If the team struggles again, fans in the stands might start shouting for new strategies or even asking for a different quarterback.
