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 .