Kirk Cousins’ performances are spiraling downward, and so are the Atlanta Falcons’ playoff hopes.
The Falcons badly want a bounce-back effort from the veteran quarterback on Monday night time once they discuss with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Atlanta (6-7) has misplaced 4 instantly video games to fall into 2d position within the NFC South at the back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6).
Cousins has been a significant component within the skid, throwing 8 interceptions with no landing. Six of the alternatives have come previously two video games.
Falcons trainer Raheem Morris mentioned Thursday he has religion within the 36-year-old quarterback.
“You have to consider and you have got to have the unravel so as to stick and keep steady-handed through a man that you just consider in,” Morris mentioned. “I do not need to be like some organizations who make harsh selections or crucial selections for your crucial resolution makers once they fail you or they make errors. I simply really feel adore it’s our process and my process to again (Cousins) on the easiest degree.”
Cousins was once intercepted seven occasions within the first 9 video games this season ahead of the new stoop. He threw 4 landing passes on two events and tossed 3 once more because the Falcons ran out to a 6-3 get started.
Then the caliber of his play dropped; Atlanta is averaging simply 14.3 issues all the way through the four-game shedding streak.
That has ended in requires the Falcons to show to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 total selection on this 12 months’s draft.
It is also inflicting Cousins to check the entirety to peer what he can do in a different way as he appears to steer Atlanta to its 6th instantly head-to-head victory over the Raiders.
“You for sure have a procedure that is labored and has enabled you to play neatly, so that you believe it,” Cousins mentioned. “I believe it would be silly, even though, to simply blindly keep on with one thing even if there may be obviously a basic you wish to have to give a boost to on.”
In the meantime, the Raiders (2-11) are hoping quarterback Aidan O’Connell will make a swift restoration to play towards Atlanta.
O’Connell left Las Vegas’ 28-13 highway loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remaining week and was once identified with a bone bruise in his left knee.
He was once certainly one of 4 Raiders to leave out apply on Thursday, however he was once taking an positive method about enjoying Monday night time.
“Yeah, I hope to get there,” O’Connell mentioned Thursday. “Clearly, we have were given an extended week this week, which is helping, and so simply in point of fact taking it day-to-day. Clearly, no longer one thing I have been via with this actual harm.”
O’Connell was once involved when he was once injured and simply as bummed out about having to be carted off the sphere.
“Yeah, simply no longer an ideal amusing revel in total, and want it did not come to that, want it did not occur that approach,” O’Connell mentioned. “It without a doubt harm at the box, after all. After which my knee wasn’t responding how the medical doctors was hoping it will. And so, yeah, you without a doubt concern the worst.”
Las Vegas has misplaced 9 instantly video games since remaining profitable on Sept. 29. The Raiders don’t have anything to play for as a workforce, however that isn’t the case for O’Connell, who want to display the franchise he can also be the long-term resolution at quarterback.
If O’Connell can not play, Desmond Ridder would get started. Ridder, a third-round draft pick out through Atlanta in 2022, went 6-7 as a starter for the Falcons remaining season, 2-2 the prior 12 months.
“Whether or not it is towards the Falcons or the Titans, it’s not relevant who it is towards, any alternative I am getting to head in the market and exhibit my abilities is an exhilarating time,” Ridder mentioned.
Superstar defensive finish Maxx Crosby (ankle), defensive take on Adam Butler (concussion) and cornerback Sam Webb (again) additionally ignored apply for the Raiders on Thursday.
Within linebacker Troy Andersen (knee) and receiver Casey Washington (concussion) sat out apply for the Falcons on Thursday.
–Box Degree Media
