As the Atlanta Falcons brace themselves for the final stretch of the season, the narrative of slumped performances and unmet expectations looms large over the team. Having failed to secure a win in their last four encounters, the Falcons find themselves grappling with an identity crisis on both sides of the ball.
Falcons' Offensive Struggles
The struggles of Atlanta's offense have been well-documented, with a meager average of 14.25 points per game over their recent four-game span. This lackluster display has left many questioning the efficiency and execution of the team. Despite drafting Michael Penix Jr. as the No. 8 overall pick last April, the anticipated boost to the offensive machinery remains largely unfulfilled. As they prepare to take on the Raiders, Giants, Commanders, and Panthers, the onus is on the offense to find its footing and support a defense that has performed admirably in spurts.
Defensive Highlights Amidst Offensive Woes
Although often overshadowed by offensive inefficiencies, Atlanta's defense boasts noteworthy achievements. Between Week 11 and Week 13, the Falcons' defense ranked eighth in Expected Points Added per play during crucial, non-garbage-time situations. This statistic underscores a defense that has managed to hold its ground, offering a silver lining in an otherwise turbulent season.
Kirk Cousins: A Season of Contrasts
On the other side of the field, the performance of Kirk Cousins brings its own set of intrigues and perplexities. The quarterback, acquired with a $100 million fully guaranteed contract in March, has faced his share of tribulations, highlighted by an unsettling streak of eight interceptions and no touchdowns in the last four games. Crucially, this has translated into a concerning 56 passer rating in fourth quarters, alongside a completion rate of 61.2% with 6.20 yards per attempt. The paradox of Cousins' performance is evident as he historically holds a 67% completion rate and 7.8 yards per attempt in Atlanta, figures significantly higher than his recent outputs.
Close Contests and Tight Margins
A frequent feature of the Falcons' games this season has been their persistence in ensuring that contests remain on a knife’s edge heading into the final moments. Nine of Atlanta's 13 games have been within a single score entering the fourth quarter, yet the crucial breakthrough to translate close margins into victories has consistently eluded them.
Despite the absence of breakthrough performances, the Falcons maintain a proximity to the playoff picture, trailing the 7-6 Buccaneers by just one game. This setting puts the upcoming fixtures in sharp focus, offering a glimpse of potential redemption or further introspection.
As the season progresses, the Falcons’ main challenge will be to balance their resilient defensive plays with an aggressive yet efficient offensive reawakening. The backdrop of tight games and close finishes only adds to the anticipation around whether Atlanta can shift their fortunes at this crucial juncture. For Cousins, catching a rhythm reminiscent of his past successes in Atlanta could be the antidote to his recent struggles, potentially providing his team with the edge they've been seeking.