The Atlanta Falcons’ disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers has sparked widespread conversation among fans, with the health of quarterback Kirk Cousins at the center of the discussion. While head coach Raheem Morris assured the media that Cousins is healthy, the eye test and stats tell a different story.
Cousins, known for his mobility in the pocket, seemed unusually stagnant during the game. As ESPN’s Ben Solak pointed out, “Cousins moved an average of 3.1 yards per dropback in this game, which is the least dropback movement he has had in a single game of his career by more than a full yard.” That statistic is troubling for a quarterback who thrived on mobility and play-action schemes during his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings.
Adding to the puzzle, Cousins took 96% of the Falcons’ offensive snaps from either the shotgun or pistol formation, a drastic shift from his days with the Vikings, where play-action was a cornerstone of his success. Even more puzzling, there were no play-action attempts in the game, a tactic that had previously been a staple of Cousins’ repertoire.
The lack of movement and play-action raises questions about Cousins’ true health status. Is he fully recovered from his Achilles injury, or is there something more to his apparent limitations? Falcons fans aren’t the only ones asking these questions.
When asked if his play-calling was influenced by concerns over Cousins’ health, first-time offensive coordinator Zac Robinson denied it. “Absolutely not,” Robinson told the Atlanta media. “It just went with the flow of the game.” However, the flow of the game seemed alarmingly predictable.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson on whether any play-calling decisions last Sunday were based on quarterback Kirk Cousins' mobility: "No. Absolutely not. It just went with the flow of the game."
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) September 12, 2024
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Atlanta ran the ball 81% of the time (21 of 26 snaps) when operating out of the pistol, but had zero designed runs on 22 snaps from the shotgun. This predictability is surprising for a team led by an offensive mind as highly regarded as Robinson. His debut performance as a play-caller was underwhelming, to say the least.
Granted, this was Robinson’s first game as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator, and it was also Cousins’ first game with the team. Some growing pains were expected. But the basic, overly predictable game plan is cause for concern. Is the lack of creativity on offense due to Robinson’s inexperience, or is it a sign that Cousins is still hampered by his Achilles?
Only time will tell, but if the Falcons don’t adjust quickly, both Robinson and Cousins may face even tougher scrutiny as the season progresses.
