Kirk Cousins leads a massive turnaround in Atlanta, now he's got to finish strong

ATLANTA (AP) — Shortly after signing a massive free-agent contract with the Falcons, Kirk Cousins was talking with a retired quarterback — he didn't name names — about what he might expect in Atlanta.

Cousins was coming to a franchise in the midst of six straight losing seasons and best known for its historic flop on the NFL's biggest stage, blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl.

But this ex-quarterback provided a more promising vision for Cousins.

“I look at you in Atlanta and I say, that could be really fun if you win," Cousins recalled him saying. "That could be a really special place to win.’”

Nine games into the Cousins era, Atlanta is having a whole lotta fun.

The Falcons (6-3) have a firm grasp on first place in the NFC South, putting them in a strong position to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season.

Cousins is a big reason for the renaissance, showing he was very much worth a four-year, $180 million contract. He ranks among the league leaders with 2,328 yards passing, including a career-high 509-yard effort in an overtime victory over Tampa Bay. He has 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, a far cry from the mediocre quarterback play the Falcons had endured in the post-Matt Ryan era.

To show how much Atlanta has improved at the most important position on the field, just look at what they got a season ago from Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.

Cousins has already passed for as many touchdowns as Ridder and Heinicke combined during the entire 2023 season, while making far fewer momentum-crushing mistakes. Cousins is humming along at nearly 259 yards per game through the air — a significant improvement on the 220-yard average produced by last year's duo.

The Falcons knew they had plenty of offensive playmakers, from running back Bijan Robinson to receiver Drake London to tight end Kyle Pitts.

They just needed a quarterback who could take advantage of it.

“Kirk Cousins is exactly what I thought he was. He’s poised. He’s able to spread the ball around,” said first-year coach Raheem Morris, whose aggressive, upbeat coaching style also has been a big part of Atlanta's turnaround. ”He’s just a playmaker.”

Now, to keep the fun going.

Morris knows that six wins does not make a season.

“This organization deserves more, this team deserves more, and these coaches deserve more,” Morris said. "We are hungry, man. We just want to go out there and keep getting them.”

Robinson and Tyler Allgeier have been an effective 1-2 punch in the running game, opening things up for Cousins through the air.

Robinson has been just the sort of dynamic, all-purpose back the Falcons envisioned when they selected him at No. 8 overall in 2023. He's rushed for 632 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, and caught 38 passes for 303 yards.

“He’s a big deal,” Cousins said. "I see a running back as a running back, and I also see them as a receiver. Bijan has a lot of ability catching the football, and I love when he shows up in our pass game too.”

Despite getting three sacks in a 27-21 victory over Dallas on Sunday, the Falcons still rank at the bottom of the league with just nine quarterback takedowns.

This has been a persistent problem in Atlanta, which hasn't a player with double-figure sacks since Vic Beasley notched 15 1/2 in 2016. Grady Jarrett leads this team with just 2 1/2.

Another of Atlanta's free-agent signees, but one who drew far less attention than Cousins, WR Darnell Mooney has been a revelation in the passing game.

After two disappointing seasons with the Bears, Mooney has teamed with London to give Atlanta a dynamic pair of receivers.

Mooney already has 41 catches for 588 yards, and his five touchdowns are a career high.

The Falcons traded for four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon in hopes of bolstering their sack total, but he's largely just run in circles (sparking humorous memes illustrating his ineffectiveness ) through the first nine games.

The 32-year-old Judon has 1 1/2 sacks and three quarterback hits, a far cry from the 15 1/2 sacks he had just two years ago with the Patriots.

LB Troy Andersen (knee) has missed the past five games and C Drew Dalman (ankle) hasn't played since Week 3, but the Falcons are hopeful they'll be returning to the lineup soon.

Also keep an eye on Jarrett (Achilles strain) and London (hip pointer), who both were injured on Sunday and listed as day to day.

38.8 percent — The rate of third downs the Falcons have converted, a number that Cousins is targeting for improvement. “There’s plenty there to clean up,” he said.

The remaining schedule doesn't look overly imposing, with the last eight opponents combining for a 31-39 record, but five of those games are on the road.

Keep an eye on the Dec. 29 matchup at the first-place Washington Commanders (7-2), who are led by former Falcons coach Dan Quinn and off to their best start since 1996.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ John Bazemore)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) reacts after a defensive stop on fourth down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) carries past Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London celebrates his touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks up from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ John Bazemore)

Kirk Cousins leads a massive turnaround in Atlanta, now he's got to finish strong

Kirk Cousins leads a massive turnaround in Atlanta, now he's got to finish strong

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ John Bazemore)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder won their franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season game, 116-98 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

The Thunder trailed by 16 in the first half before pulling within 52-48 at halftime. Shaking off a cold shooting first half, the Thunder exploded for 42 third-quarter points and an 18-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander also had a game high eight assists for the Thunder, who are 28-5 and have won 17 of their last 18 regular-season games. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Williams scored 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 11 points and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Amir Coffey led the Clippers with 26 points.

After shooting just 31% in the first half, the Thunder wound up at an even 50% for the game and added to their league-leading steal total with 11 takeaways.

Despite the slow start, the Thunder's depth eventually overwhelmed the Clippers, who were without James Harden, a late scratch.

Williams hit a runner at the halftime buzzer to cut the Clippers lead to four, then scored the first six points of the second half to jumpstart a 23-5 run that put the Thunder in control.

Norman Powell came into the game averaging a career high 24.3 points per game. He missed his first nine shots and didn’t get a basket until eight minutes remained, finishing with six points on 1-of-11 shooting including 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

The Thunder continue their homestand Friday night against the Knicks. The Clippers return home to host Atlanta on Saturday with the expected return of Kawhi Leonard.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams, center, looks to pass the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, knocks the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks for an outlet as Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)