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)

NEW YORK (AP) — Reactions to the death of Quincy Jones, who died Sunday at age 91:

— "My beloved Q. The world’s beloved Q. The one and only Quincy Jones “discovered” me for “The Color Purple” movie in 1985. My life changed forever for the better after meeting him. I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who’s heart was so filled with love. He walked around with his heart wide open, and he treated everybody as if they were the most important person he’d ever met. He was the Light. No shadows. He was love lived out loud in human form and he was the first person I ever loved unconditionally. That’s how we signed all our notes to each other, “Unconditionally…” Oprah Winfrey on Instagram.

— “He was supremely talented, and I felt privileged to have known him for many years. He was friends with George Martin, the Beatles’ producer and, between the two of them, produced some very fine music. Quincy or ‘Quince’ or ‘Q’, as he was known, always had a twinkle in his eye and had a very positive, loving spirit which infected everyone who knew him. His work with Michael Jackson is, of course, legendary and he had so many other strings to his musical bow,” Paul McCartney on Instagram.

— "Quincy is the reason why I decided to become a record producer. His records were my go-to when I started engineering. All of the time that I spent hanging out with him was priceless and I love how open he was- the advice he gave me, the conversations we had have helped me in my life and career. Forever inspired by the incomparable Quincy Jones,” Dr. Dre, on Instagram.

— “I was honored to call Quincy a friend. I will always remember his generosity of spirit, his selfless support, and his deep kindness. Our world has lost a giant. But in his melodies, and in the lives he touched, Quincy’s legacy will live on forever,” Vice President Kamala Harris, in a statement Monday.

— “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly,” - Will Smith on Instagram.

— “I am speechless at the moment. What this man means to me goes extremely deep. What a life. What an expression of authenticity. What a teacher. I am humbled that I was given the gift of your openness and friendship. I am still processing,” Lenny Kravitz on X.

— “My fans know how important Quincy was to the fabric of my music. I was given the opportunity to write a foreword to his book and tried to capture what he meant to me as a human. Let’s celebrate his life today,” Abel Tesfaye/The Weeknd on X.

— “I woke up today to the Terrible news that we lost Quincy Jones.. Genius is a description loosely used but Rarely deserved. Point blank, Quincy was the MAN. I won my 1st Grammy with Quincy and I live with his Wisdom daily,” Ice-T on X.

— “My Celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world. He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him,” Michael Caine on X (Both Caine and Jones were born March 14, 1933).

— “Quincy Jones was a musical genius who transformed the soul of America – one beat, one rhythm, and one rhyme at a time. ... He was a great unifier, who believed deeply in the healing power of music to restore hope and uplift those suffering from hunger, poverty, and violence, in America and the continent of Africa,” President Joe Biden in a statement Monday.

— “His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age. And by building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business,” former President Barack Obama on X.

— “Today, we say goodbye to the legendary Quincy Jones—a musical giant whose genius reshaped our world and left an enduring legacy. Rest well, Quincy. #legend,” Morgan Freeman on X.

— “R.I.P to my mentor #QuincyJones, you’re the reason I became a composer at 16… Long live the musical king,” Wyclef Jean on X

— “He asked, where are you from? Philly I replied, his eyes twinkled and he talked about the Uptown Theater. I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King. Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound,” Colman Domingo on X.

— “A masterful musician, composer, and orchestrator, who left his mark on the American musical culture. A man of soulfulness and swing. 'If music be the food of love , play on,'” Wendell Pierce on X.

— “We’ve lost a pure unadulterated genius. 20th century music carries his imprint,” playwright Lynn Nottage on X.

— “Quincy Jones was so much more than just a musical genius. He was a raconteur, film artist, and a good man. We were very lucky to have had him,” Lee Grant on X.

— “My hero. truly one of the greatest minds the music world has ever known. he was so kind to me, so wonderful, such an influence. his legacy and his music will live forever. thank you for everything, Q. you were the dude,” Harry Connick Jr. on Instagram.

Ice-T, Michael Caine pay tribute to Quincy Jones

FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2014 file photo, Producer Quincy Jones, of the documentary film "Keep On Keepin' On," poses for a portrait, in New York, Sept. 23, 2014. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP, File)

Ice-T, Michael Caine pay tribute to Quincy Jones