It was only the Panthers, but last weekend's game gave another sign that Kirk Cousins really is stepping in and taking control of the offense. The first big clue came in the previous game, against Tampa. It was actually a fairly insignificant play, but Cousins himself said later that it was a pretty big moment. In the second quarter of that game, he threw an 8-yard pass to Kyle Pitts in the flat. No big deal... except that he said that up until then, he had always been a little tentative with his new teammates, pausing just a bit to see which way the receivers were going. On that pass, he just cut it loose and threw it, trusting that he and Pitts would be on the same page. From that point through the rest of the game, Cousins just let it fly, putting up over 500 passing yards when it was all over. And this week? At halftime, OC Zac Robinson asked him what he was seeing and what he liked. Cousins told Robinson he liked the running game, that running the ball against Carolina's defense looked like the strongest way to go. Not counting Cousins taking a knee three times to end the game, the team ran the ball 20 times in the second half vs only 13 throws. So Cousins didn't get the gaudy passing numbers like he had the week before, but he saw the weak point in the Panthers defense and told his OC to exploit it. This is his team now.
One thing about Cousins I have seen and learned... not only is he talented, but he has a real control in the locker-room and can really rally a team when he sees it needed. "feel" for whats happening is a trait that is rare, and he does have it in my opinion. As time and experience accrue, they should only get better.
It does seem to me like the offense is much better now than it was in the first three weeks. This last game was only the Panthers, so I don't want to read too much into it. But the two teams traded 3-and-outs in their first possessions, and Atlanta's third possession ended in a turnover when Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled the ball after the catch. But after that, only two other Atlanta possessions did not result in scores - the ones where Cousins took a knee to end the half and end the game. The second half was methodical pounding, like the Steelers offense when it is at its best.
There were of course big changes to that offense from last year, as much as a fanbase would love for an offseason's work to be enough, its to be expected that it might take a few weeks of the season to get going. After maybe an uneven start they look pretty great the last few weeks, must be averaging like 30ppg, that will work! Being a div rival you'll prob remember something similar happening to the Saints last season. They had some big changes on offense and it was several weeks into the season before they even got to 21 points! But the offense started to gel more and by the end of the season Carr finished 10th in the league in passer rating. If the Saints can do that last season the Falcons can def do it this season. Carr is solidly ahead of Cousins for passer rating right now, but its to be expected this early. I expect them to have traded places by season's end.
Sorry Torgo............I picked the Falcons to win this game today easily.....Seahawks had lost 3 in a row. But I have to give credit to Seattle they played well on both sides of the Ball.....better luck in week # 8 vs the Buccs
Falcons are the first team in the NFL this season with two WRs reaching 500 yards. Drake London (525) and Darnell Mooney (506) lead the way. Slot receiver Ray-Ray McCloud has 277 yards. Outside of the WR group, TE Kyle Pitts is third on the team with 419 while RB Bijan Robinson has 238 receiving yards to this point. Kinda scary to think the #3 target is already over 400 yards for the season.
I'm pretty sure no Bears receiver is even that close to 400yards yet. Crazy to think the Falcons already have 3 players over it.
