The Falcons QB throws four interceptions

Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons entered Week 13 with hopes of ending a two-game losing streak and re-establishing themselves as the team to beat in the NFC South.

Instead, the Falcons lost their third straight game, opening the door for other NFC South teams to catch them in the division race.

The Falcons had numerous scoring opportunities during their 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a likely AFC playoff team. However, Atlanta was undone by missed opportunities and turnovers, largely attributable to Cousins.

Here’s what you need to know about the low points of the 13-year veteran’s worst day in his career.

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Kirk Cousins stats today

Cousins had one of the worst performances of his career in the Falcons’ 17-13 loss to the Chargers. He tied a career high with four interceptions, a mark he had only reached once in his NFL career in 2014. He also failed to score a passing touchdown for just the 16th time in 161 career games.

Below is a look at his full stats against the Chargers:

Completion Rate: 24 out of 39 (61.5%)
Farms passing by: 245
Passing TDs: 0
INTs: 4
Yards per attempt: 6.3
Passerby rating: 40.0

Cousins’ 40.0 passer rating is the fourth-worst he has ever achieved in his 157 starts. The veteran quarterback’s teams are currently 0-13 in contests in which he has a passer rating below 60.

Interception by Kirk Cousins

Cousins’ interceptions were the biggest detriment to his stats. He had trouble reading the Chargers’ defense throughout the game. He threw two balls in the direction of Tarheeb Still and one that left many wondering what exactly he was trying to accomplish with the play.

Perhaps the worst thing for Cousins was his second interception of the day. It came when he stared down Darnell Mooney and threw an ill-advised touch pass his way. Still was able to beat the route with ease and galloped into the end zone unscathed.

Later in the game, Cousins almost fell for the same trick – where the cornerback gave the receiver a soft pass but broke him on the route. It showed its shaky field reading ability on Sunday afternoon.

Cousins’ third interception was perhaps more egregious. It came down to a third-and-goal from the 13-yard line, where the veteran quarterback simply threw the ball into traffic in the end zone. The result was an easy choice for new Chargers safety Marcus Maye.

That interception denied the Falcons the chance for a seemingly easy field goal attempt. That became crucial late in Atlanta’s four-point loss, as the team could have kicked a field goal on its final possession that would have put it ahead.

Instead, Cousins and Co. had to play for a touchdown. The 38-year-old had to make a desperate attack on fourth-and-12 late in the quarter, and that ended up being his last pick of the day.

Cousins’ four-pick game increased his interception total for the season to 13, putting him on track to surpass his career-high mark of 14 starting in 2022 – assuming the Falcons continue to trust him as the starting quarterback.

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Will the Falcons replace Kirk Cousins with Michael Penix?

Due to Cousins’ poor performance, some fans called for the team to turn to rookie Michael Penix Jr., who was selected by Atlanta with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Falcons have given no indication that they plan to bench Cousins for Penix. They signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason, making it unlikely that Atlanta will bench Cousins after just twelve games of his time with the team.

Falcons playoff picture: NFC South rankings

The only thing that could force the Falcons to fold would be if Cousins’ recent struggles caused them to fall out of the playoffs.

When Atlanta was 6-3, it appeared to have a stranglehold on the NFC South. After the Falcons’ three-game losing streak, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are within striking distance of first place in the division.

Below is a look at the NFC South standings following the Falcons’ loss and the results of the Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints games are still pending.

NFC South standings

Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
New Orleans Saints (4-7)
Carolina Panthers (3-8)

The Falcons have beaten the Buccaneers twice, giving Atlanta a two-team tiebreaker against Tampa Bay. Still, the Falcons have a lot less breathing room than they did when they had a two-game lead over the Bucs.

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The Falcons QB throws four interceptions

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