Tag: Penix

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) prepares for a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Reports: Falcons expect QB Kirk Cousins to be at minicamp

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to attend Atlanta’s mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday, according to multiple reports Monday.

Cousins has expressed a desire to find a starting role elsewhere after finishing last season as the backup to Michael Penix Jr.

However, the Falcons have been reluctant to trade him without getting a significant return. Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed before the 2024 season, then selected Penix with the eighth overall pick in the draft.

The Falcons started last season 6-3, but a nosedive Cousins told NFL Network coincided with a shoulder injury prompted Atlanta coach Raheem Morris to turn the offense over to Penix with three games left in the regular season. Penix went 1-2.

Cousins, who turns 37 in mid-August, attended several of Atlanta’s voluntary organized team activities in late May though he did not practice.

Penix is the team’s No. 1 quarterback entering the new season. The Falcons also have Easton Stick and Emory Jones on their depth chart.

Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a career-high 16 interceptions in 14 starts last season. The four-time Pro Bowl selection was a starter in Washington and Minnesota before joining Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he's Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Falcons owner ready to pay Kirk Cousins millions to ride pine

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With three years remaining on a four-year contract signed 13 months ago, Kirk Cousins is guaranteed nothing in Atlanta in 2025. Well, other than the $27.5 million Falcons owner Arthur Blank owes for the upcoming season under the terms of that pact.

Blank said at the NFL annual meeting in Florida that he understands the situation and peripheral concern around paying a longtime starter more than $2 million per month in 2025 to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. As of his most recent one-on-one meeting with Cousins, Blank maintained that’s precisely what he plans to do.

“I think Kirk will do what he needs to do. He’ll show up when he needs to show up,” Blank said two days after head coach Raheem Morris informally dismissed Cousins from voluntary workouts. “I think he’ll do what his heart and spirit allows him to do. I never see him as being a divisive individual. I don’t think it’s in him to be that way. With certain personalities, you might worry a little bit. I’m not really worried about that.”

Cousins turns 37 in August and, in addition to $100 million in guarantees, the Falcons gave him a no-trade clause to sign who was considered the marquee free agent in the 2024 offseason cycle. But suitors are unlikely to part with assets to pick up Cousins’ albatross contract — unless an injury or unexpected turn of events leads to desperation.

Among the potential landing spots for Cousins are the Minnesota Vikings — as a backup or competitor to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, selected two picks after Penix by the franchise Cousins abandoned in free agency — and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh is changing starting quarterbacks for the third consecutive season, opening the door for Justin Fields (Jets) and Russell Wilson (Giants) to bolt in free agency after both posted winning records for the team last season. The Steelers are on hold for another greybeard free agent, Aaron Rodgers, to decide if he’ll join the team for 2025. Minnesota also kicked the tires on bringing in Rodgers, an option that could be revived.

Blank claims Atlanta’s commitment to Cousins as a No. 2 quarterback, as expensive and rare as the arrangement might be, works for the team for at least another season. He said the Falcons are comfortable paying Cousins a premium rate as insurance behind Penix, who had a significant history of major injuries in college and has only started three games in the NFL.

“When you have a starting quarterback, God forbid, even with all the protection the league affords with rules and equipment, etcetera, players get hurt on occasion. And it could be the quarterback,” Blank said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Kirk Cousins not expected for Falcons’ offseason workouts

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Kirk Cousins wants to be a starting quarterback, which he made clear in one-on-one meetings with Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, owner Arthur Blank and his head coach.

Raheem Morris said Tuesday the Falcons are still comfortable keeping Cousins as the backup to Michael Penix Jr., but after those meetings the likelihood of Cousins playing in Atlanta remains unlikely at best. There’s even less of a chance Cousins will attend offseason voluntary workouts, Morris said.

“I’m not going to be foolish to think that he’s going to show up for voluntary work,” the coach said Tuesday at the NFL’s annual league meeting. “Right now, we’re dealing with a businesslike mode. … We’re dealing with that type of feel. I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms. But I’m not going to be foolish enough to make myself get worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.”

Cousins is not expected to waive his no-trade clause until after the 2025 NFL Draft later this month to avoid finding himself back in the same position he encountered in Atlanta. After signing a four-year, $180 million contract in March 2024, the Falcons surprised the former Washington and Minnesota Vikings starter by drafting Penix with the No. 8 overall pick.

The Falcons started the season 6-3, but a nosedive Cousins told NFL Network coincided with a shoulder injury prompted Morris to turn the offense over to Penix with three games left in the regular season. Penix went 1-2.

That’s the thrust of the conundrum for Cousins — and the Falcons, who are on the hook for $27.5 million guaranteed in 2025 with $10 million more due as a roster bonus in 2026. He turns 37 in mid-August and a team with an opening at the position would need to rewind his 2024 game film to before a dismal five-game stretch in November and December where Cousins had a record of 1-4, was sacked 11 times and threw nine interceptions and one touchdown pass.

Even the most QB-needy teams are not expected to knock on Fontenot’s door and take on Cousins’ deal as comprised. That’s why the GM and Morris have taken a position that they’ll go into the season with Cousins as a backup.

“I do know he would like to try to be a starter at some point,” Morris said. “That’s definitely been clearly communicated with me and whoever else he had an opportunity to talk to. I do know that. The way about that, I’m not sure. But we have to figure those things out. We have to get to that process.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris leaves the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raheem Morris on Falcons’ timeout debacle: Not as simple as it seems

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The biggest game for the Atlanta Falcons since their last playoff appearance in 2017 had it all.

A rookie quarterback making his first career road start in Michael Penix Jr. A 10-point Atlanta halftime lead. A late rally to force overtime. Eventually, it added up to a costly 30-24 road loss to the Washington Commanders on “Sunday Night Football.”

After Penix tied the game with a fourth-and-goal strike to Kyle Pitts, Atlanta (8-8) got the ball back with 40 seconds left with a chance to gain control of the NFC South.

Penix completed a 25-yard pass to Darnell Mooney on first down with 33 seconds left to advance Atlanta to Washington’s 44-yard line. The Falcons then wasted 16 seconds of clock, while head coach Raheem Morris still held two timeouts, before snapping the ball again.

Eventually, Riley Patterson missed a 56-yard field goal as regulation expired, before the Falcons fell in overtime.

The question for Morris on Monday was, “Why not use a timeout to save time on that final drive?”

“Would I like that back? Obviously, because it didn’t work,” Morris said in his press conference on Monday.

“But in hindsight, if we can just hit another route and we get a chance to have the timeouts to use, to utilize the whole field on the next throw, then we have a chance to get in better position and make it an easier field goal to end it there in regulation. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way for me. … As simple as you make it seem, it’s not.”

Penix completed 19 of 35 passes for 223 yards, a touchdown and an interception but was outdueled by Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels (227 passing yards, 127 rushing yards, three TDs, one pick).

Ultimately, Atlanta’s chances of ending its seven-year playoff drought took a major hit.

If the Falcons had held serve on Sunday, they would have just needed to beat the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 18 to clinch the division. Now, Atlanta must win and have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) lose at home against the New Orleans Saints — a game in which Tampa Bay has opened as a two-touchdown favorite.

For Morris and company, everything counts on the rival Saints to pull off a monumental upset.

“At 1 o’clock on Sunday, I don’t think you can (worry about that game),” Morris said of the Tampa Bay-New Orleans matchup. “I think you can only handle what you can handle, control what you can control. So, I think as a professional and what I owe to Arthur Blank and this organization and fan base is to go out there and be completely locked into what we’re doing, trying to win versus the Carolina Panthers.”

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes for a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 17

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With NFL games on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday this week, Week 17’s Sunday slate only features nine games. With several games like Raiders vs. Saints where both teams are bad, putting money on the traditional betting line is challenging. But it is a great week for NFL player props.

The following are our top 10 player prop picks for Sunday’s NFL games. (Odds are from FanDuel unless otherwise indicated.)

Jets vs. Bills

–Breece Hall, O/U 49.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

Hall has gone over this number in six of his last seven games. With rain in the forecast for Buffalo on Sunday, there is a good chance the Jets will focus more on the run. Plus, the more they run, the longer they can keep Josh Allen on the sideline.

Hall ran for a season-high 113 yards on the Bills earlier this year. The Bills have been an average run defense this season, which makes me think Hall will easily surpass 49.5 yards.

Take the OVER.

–James Cook, O/U 77.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards at -114/-114

The Bills have leaned into the run the last couple of weeks, with Cook going for 100-plus in two straight games and three of four. With inclement conditions expected, it would be surprising if they didn’t hand off to Cook early and often this week as well.

He could go over the total just running the ball. But in case he doesn’t break off a long run like he did the last two weeks, he’ll make up the difference with a couple of screen passes.

Take the OVER.

Falcons vs. Commanders

–Bijan Robinson, O/U 83.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113
–Robinson, O/U 18.5 Rushing Attempts at -132/+102

The best thing Atlanta can do to help Michael Penix Jr. is establish the run, which the Falcons should do anyway with a running back like Robinson. He’s gone for 86 or more yards in six of his last seven games (four in a row). He carried the ball 19-plus times in each of them; in the outlier, he only had 12 carries.

Atlanta will make sure Robinson eats against Washington’s lackluster run defense (29th in the NFL).

Take the OVER on both.

–Michael Penix Jr., O/U 207.5 Passing Yards at -114/-114
–Penix, O/U 29.5 Pass Attempts

The Falcons will try to protect their rookie this week, much like they did last week vs. the Giants. Establishing the run will be the focus of the offense, with enough passing to keep the Commanders’ defense (which happens to be one of the best pass defenses in the league) honest.

Penix had 27 pass attempts last week. Teams have been attempting 28.5 per game on the Commanders this season and 32.3 in the last three. If Cousins was still at QB, I’d expect Atlanta to be closer to 32 attempts than 28 — but not Penix.

They’ll play it safe with Penix again. Take the UNDER for both.

Dolphins vs. Browns

–Tyreek Hill, O/U 49.5 Receiving Yards at -114/-114

It hasn’t been the kind of year we’ve come to expect from Hill, but with all the injury issues Miami has dealt with, it’s not surprising. He’s averaging 55.6 yards per game this season and has exceeded 49.5 yards in three of his last six games.

But the Dolphins are still alive for the playoffs and are facing a Browns defense giving up 157.7 yards per game to wide receivers this season. Other pass-happy teams like the Broncos (Week 13) and Bengals (Week 16) saw their wide receivers combine for 200-plus.

Take the OVER.

Giants vs. Colts

–Jonathan Taylor, O/U 102.5 Rushing Yards at -115/-115 (via DraftKings)
–Taylor O/U 22.5 Rushing Attempts at -110/-110 (via DraftKings)

Taylor carried the ball 29 times for 218 yards last week vs. Tennessee, but 135 yards came on two carries. Expecting similar numbers would be unrealistic.

But as long as the Colts decide to abuse the Giants’ 31st-ranked run defense rather than (try to) establish the pass, good things will happen.

Taylor has had at least 21 attempts each time the Colts have won while he was healthy this season. As bad as the Giants’ run defense is, it makes sense to feed Taylor the ball 25 times.

Take the OVER for both.

Cowboys vs. Eagles

–Saquon Barkley, O/U 111.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

With Jalen Hurts out this week, the Eagles will likely focus on establishing the run with Barkley to take pressure off Kenny Pickett. It didn’t result in a win last week against the Commanders, but Washington is a better team than the Cowboys this year.

Dallas has held teams to an average of 89.3 yards over their last three games. But the Eagles are playing at home and have a chance to lock up the division with a win. With Barkley and the defense leading the way, they’ll get the job done.

Take the OVER.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 16

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With 12 games on the schedule for Sunday featuring many of the NFL’s best teams, fans will have hundreds of player props to choose from for their betting pleasure in Week 16.

Rather than take hours of your day to research and figure out which are the best, see if any of our top ten picks inspire you. (These will be in no specific order. Odds are from FanDuel unless otherwise indicated.)

Eagles vs. Commanders

–Jalen Hurts, O/U 191.5 Passing Yards at -113/-113
–Hurts to throw for 200+ yards at +108

Hurts is averaging right around 200 yards per game this season. While he had 290 his last time out against a good Steelers defense, he had less than 180 in his previous three. His numbers against the Steelers have to be taken with a grain of salt since Saquon Barkley missed time with an injury.

Washington controlled the game for three quarters a few weeks ago in Philly, only to lose after Barkley and the Eagles dominated the fourth quarter. I don’t see the passing game working as well as it did last time, but I doubt it will struggle as it did vs. Carolina, Baltimore and the Rams.

The Washington pass defense has held teams to less than 190 yards per game this season, but 209 ypg over the last three. Hurts will probably have a day similar to the one he had in the previous game vs. Washington (18-28 for 221 yards).

Take the OVER on his passing yards.

Giants vs. Falcons

–Michael Penix Jr., O/U 228.5 Passing Yards at -115/-115 (via DraftKings)

The Falcons will want to see their young quarterback spread his wings, but they’ll also want to protect him as much as they can. To that end, they’ll lean hard on the run in this game to draw the Giants’ defense in and then pass when his receivers are in single coverage.

They will not need to throw much against this Giants team and will probably let Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier carry most of the load.

Take the UNDER.

–Tyler Allgeier, O/U 36.5 Rushing Yards at -110/-110 (via bet365)
–Allgeier to rush for 50+ yards +165 (via BetMGM)

The Falcons may let Penix air it out in the first quarter but will otherwise have him throw just enough to keep the Giants’ defense honest. Robinson, of course, will carry the bulk of the load. But Allgeier will see the ball more than he usually does.

He had fewer than 10 carries in 10 of 14 games; look for him to get closer to 15 Sunday. With the Giants’ defense allowing 4.9 yards per carry, Allgeier should easily go over this total.

Take the OVER.

Lions vs. Bears

–Sam LaPorta, O/U 41.5 Receiving Yards at -115/-115 (via BetMGM)

Losing David Montgomery for the immediate future stings, but the Lions do still have Jahmyr Gibbs. But they’ll likely try to find other ways to move the ball to keep from overworking Gibbs. LaPorta has had a quiet season but has seen his target share go up in the last two weeks.

Big, pass-catching tight ends like LaPorta are great for moving the chains, and the Lions will probably use LaPorta more in that capacity going forward.

Take the OVER.

Browns vs. Bengals

–Chase Brown, O/U 74.5 Rushing Yards at -110/-110 (via bet365)
–Brown, O/U 17.5 Rushing Attempts at -130/+100 (via DraftKings)

Cincinnati has been all over the place with Brown’s touches this season. He had 25 last week vs. Tennessee but 12 to 14 in three of the previous four games. But teams have averaged 32 rushing attempts and 119.3 yards against the Browns in the last three weeks.

With the Browns starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, the Bengals will probably want to run a little more often to keep the clock moving. It will be the Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase show in the first half, but Brown will take over in the second.

Take the OVER for both.

–Jerry Jeudy, O/U 62.5 Receiving Yards at -110/-110 (via bet365)
–Jeudy, O/U 5.5 Receptions at +125/-165

Jeudy has gone over this yardage total in his last seven games, but bettors may want to mute expectations with Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. While DTR is a tremendous athlete, he struggles to connect with his receivers. He has completed just 44.1 percent of his passes this season (15-for-34) and 51.4 percent in his career (75-for-146).

As for his receptions total, Jeudy is one of Cleveland’s better playmakers. They’ll eventually settle for short throws to the flats that DTR can complete just to get the ball in Jeudy’s hands. Since those throws will be relatively easy to complete, Jeudy will see the ball enough to go over this total.

Take the UNDER for his yardage but the OVER for his receptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. begins initiation against Giants

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With their playoff hopes fading fast, the Atlanta Falcons benched $180 million quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. ahead of a Sunday meeting with the visiting New York Giants.

Atlanta (7-7) looked to be a shoo-in six weeks ago to appear in the postseason for the first time since 2017. After a Week 9 home win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Falcons, with a 6-3 record, sat atop the NFC South with a two-game lead. With three weeks left, Atlanta is on the outside looking in as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lead the division by a game.

Hoping Cousins would be the answer to the franchise’s playoff drought, Atlanta signed the veteran quarterback to a four-year contract in March, with $100 million guaranteed. The two sides looked to be a match, until Weeks 10-15, when Cousins averaged just 236 yards per game and totaled one touchdown pass and nine interceptions.

Following an ugly 15-9 win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, when Cousins completed 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, a touchdown and a pick, Atlanta coach Raheem Morris announced the team was going in a different direction.

Penix, the eighth overall pick out of Washington, will start for the first time in his professional career on Sunday. The 24-year-old has completed 3 of 5 passes for 38 yards in garbage time during two losses.

“Obviously, we’ve got to play better at that position and we want to play better at that position, so that’s why we made that decision,” Morris said. “Michael’s been the number two, he’s been one snap away all year. He’s been grinding away, learning from Kirk, being around the coaches. … This definitely has some financial implications for us, but we’re always going to make football decisions in order to win football games.”

Cousins, who passed for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions this year, knows that he hasn’t lived up to expectations so far.

“There’s a standard that I have for myself and the team has for me that unfortunately I wasn’t playing up to consistently,” Cousins said. “Now you just support Michael and try to help this team be able to find a way to win these last three and get in the playoffs. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Giants certainly aren’t looking at any playoff scenarios, as they are firmly in the hunt for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. New York (2-12) holds the NFC’s worst record and is tied with the Raiders in the league basement.

Losers of a franchise-tying nine straight games, the Giants also have had their fair share of problems under center.

After releasing Daniel Jones in November, New York has plugged in Tommy DeVito, Tim Boyle and Drew Lock as it limps to the finish line. Lock (heel/elbow) missed the team’s 35-14 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week, but Giants coach Brian Daboll said the Missouri product “should be OK to start this week.”

Daboll, who is 17-30-1 over three years on the job, was asked about the possibility of owner John Mara firing him and general manager Joe Schoen at the conclusion of the season.

“I just focus on things that I can control,” Daboll said. “(John) and I have good conversations every week. We have a number of conversations about a lot of different things that I’ll keep private. … We’re just getting ready here for the Falcons.”

Atlanta placed kicker Younghoe Koo, who was 25-for-34 on field-goal attempts this year, on injured reserve Wednesday due to a hip injury. The club signed Riley Patterson off the Browns’ practice squad to replace him.

Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (ribs), who block a punts and got his hand on another in the Monday win at Las Vegas, was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, as were tight ends Ross Dwelley (ankle) and Charlie Woerner (quad).

For New York, linebackers Brian Burns (ankle/neck), Patrick Johnson (knee) and Bobby Okereke (back) each missed the Wednesday practice. Guard Aaron Stinnie (concussion) and cornerback Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin) were also out.

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Falcons prepare Michael Penix Jr., praise ‘pro’ Kirk Cousins for accepting QB2 role

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Falcons head coach Raheem Morris came to the conclusion rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. gives Atlanta the best chance to beat the New York Giants on Sunday, a victory likely required to remain in the NFC playoff picture.

“I don’t think anything is ever permanent in the National Football League, but right now Michael Penix is our quarterback,” Morris said Wednesday.

The first-year coach made the move to Penix, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, following an objective review of starter Kirk Cousins’ play over the past five weeks. Cousins, signed to a four-year, $140 million contract in March, had one touchdown pass Monday to snap a four-game losing streak at Las Vegas. He leads the NFL with 18 turnovers, 16 interceptions and the Falcons (7-7) did their best to look beyond financial considerations and past season performance in an effort to win the moment.

“I brought Kirk in here with belief we could win a championship with Kirk. For whatever reason, lately it hasn’t looked that way,” Morris said.

“We’ve got to play better at the position.”

Atlanta (7-7) trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) in the NFC South race. The Falcons play the Washington Commanders (9-5) on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17 and playoff position could be on the line if the Falcons beat the Giants and the NFC-East leading Eagles beat the Commanders this week.

While coaches claimed the offense will remain the same, the process of upramping Penix shifted into fast-forward at the Flowery Branch, Ga., facility this week. Morris admitted there’s limited chemistry between the rookie lefty and his top targets in the underachieving offense. One plus Morris called out was Penix bringing more athletic ability and mobility than Cousins.

Morris, who has repeated before and during the season he doesn’t need to be the “smartest person in the building,” said the QB decision was a collaboration that involved owner Arthur Blank and GM Terry Fontenot. He said he’s not worried about Penix staring down the barrel with the playoffs still possible, crediting the 24-year-old with “maturity that goes beyond his years.”

He also credited Cousins for taking the demotion as a professional.

“Any time you take a step down, and demotion, whatever the case may be it’s not going to be met with great appreciation,” Morris said. “But Kirk was a professional. He’s a pro, he’s a man, he’s great human, great father, he’s a great football player. He’s done a lot of great things for us this year. He handled it with class. He’s an absolute professional. I can’t say enough good things about who the man is. Obviously it comes with some disappointment when you lose your job.”

Morris said it’s too early to discuss what the depth chart reset means for Cousins’ future with the Falcons. His 2025 salary of $27.5 is fully guaranteed and Atlanta already paid Cousins a $50 million signing bonus and the majority of his $12.5 million base salary for 2024.

There’s some professional historical precedent to the situation playing out in Atlanta for Morris.

During his head coaching run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011, Morris turned to rookie first-round pick Josh Freeman midway through the 2009 season. Byron Leftwich began 2009 as the starter but was sidelined with an elbow injury.

Freeman won his first start with three TD passes, beating the Packers 38-28 to end an 11-game losing streak dating to 2008. The following season, in 2010, Freeman helped Morris flip the Bucs’ 3-13 record to 10-6.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates running back Bijan Robinson's (7) touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Falcons in Kirk Cousins’ corner, not planning to play Michael Penix Jr.

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Six interceptions in the past two games and zero wins since Nov. 3, quarterback Kirk Cousins is on the hot seat with fans in Atlanta. But he’s still on firm footing as the starter with the only one that matters, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.

Morris remains committed to Cousins and delivered his strongest statement yet on resisting the temptation to install rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. as the starter any time soon.

“I told you right from the beginning, he’s our future,” Morris said of Penix. “… And to be able to have the respect, to be able to have the confidence, to be able to have the wherewithal to support Kirk and all this stuff, too, it’s a great learning lesson for him as well. So, when you go through all that process, you can look at different organizations [that have] pulled the trigger and put guys out there too early and it’s gone terrible, and I don’t want to be that guy.”

Morris said Penix will play “when it’s time” without expounding on his timeline for the rookie, or the organization’s view on when it could consider a switch.

The Falcons were 6-3 after back-to-back wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys when the wheels fell off for Cousins and the Atlanta offense. The Falcons have scored 57 points in the past four games, all losses, since combining for 58 points in those consecutive victories.

Atlanta is on the road this week for a “Monday Night Football” matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder could be on the field for the Raiders if Aidan O’Connell is ruled out with a knee bruise. O’Connell said he’s “hoping to get there” after being carted off the field last week.

Morris said the Falcons are supporting Cousins but did suggest he’s throughly involved in reviewing the performance of all positions.

“So to say benching doesn’t cross your mind, you’ve always got to consider those things if you feel like it’s something that’s … irreparable or whatever the case may be,” Morris said. “But I don’t feel that way. I feel like (Cousins) is going to come out of this thing and he’s going to go on a run here and get us to do the things that we need to do.”

The Buccaneers have won three consecutive games and are in sole possession of first place in the NFC South at 7-6.

Atlanta’s remaining four-game schedule features the Raiders (2-11), New York Giants (2-11), Washington Commanders (8-5) and Carolina Panthers (3-10).

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Raheem Morris, Falcons not overreacting to 3-game slide

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A month ago, a postseason return for the first time since 2017 looked well on its way for the Atlanta Falcons.

Following a Nov. 3 home win over the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta sat at 6-3 with a two-game lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South race. Fast forward a month, and the Falcons have lost three in a row and are tied with Tampa Bay atop the division standings.

Of the three losses, Sunday’s was arguably the toughest to swallow for Atlanta fans. The Falcons’ much-maligned defensive front, which had mustered an NFL-worst 10 sacks heading into Week 13, brought Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert down five times in the backfield.

However, Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions, including the eventual game-losing pick-6 to Tarheeb Still with 1:39 left in the third quarter. In the Falcons’ 17-13 home defeat, Atlanta outgained Los Angeles 350-187, but couldn’t get out of its own way.

In Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a large group of Falcons fans were calling for the mid-game benching of Cousins, who tied his career high with the four picks. The Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in last year’s NFL draft just a month after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.

Despite Cousins’ struggles, first-year head coach Raheem Morris plans to stand pat.

“(Sunday) was Kirk’s worst game or second-worst game in his career having a four-pick day,” Morris said in Monday’s press conference. “But I feel good about Kirk, just who he is and the faith that he has in his ability and the faith that he has to come back and lead this football team.

“… (Cousins) is really accountable. When things go wrong and it’s something that he feels he should have done better, he’ll be the first to tell you. This guy has carried us all year and has put us in this position.”

Penix, speaking to reporters Monday, said he will be ready whenever his name is called but added “it’s not up to me” to say he should step in as QB1.

“He’s a vet,” Penix said of Cousins. “He’s been in a lot of different situations, so I have no doubt that he’s going to bounce back from this and he’s going to be great this weekend and for the rest of the season.”

Cousins, who hasn’t thrown a touchdown since the Nov. 3 victory, will try to rebound this Sunday in Minnesota against a Vikings team with whom he spent the 2018-23 seasons.

Atlanta still controls its destiny in the NFC South after sweeping Tampa Bay.

For the Atlanta pass rush that Morris said “showed a glimpse of what you’d like to see every week,” Arnold Ebiketie tallied two sacks, while David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss and Kentavius Street each recorded a solo sack. Looking to help create momentum for the home stretch of the regular season, Morris said he expects rookie defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) to return from the injured reserve.

–Field Level Media