Ever since that fateful day on February 5, 2017, the Falcons have found new ways to lose, but that has changed under Raheem Morris and Kirk Cousins.
The end of the Dan Quinn era and the entire Arthur Smith era brought Falcons fans nothing but disappointment. Through five games, Morris and Cousins have already changed the culture in Atlanta.
Just last year, when the Falcons were trailing in the fourth quarter, they were 2-10 in those instances. Already this year, the Falcons are 3-2 in those same situations. It’s not like the Falcons are just winning games they should, either. They’re winning games they “should” be losing.
Do you remember all those fun probability charts where the Falcons had a 97.5% chance of winning? Then the graph takes a sharp turn, and you find some obscure statistics, such as “teams in such and such situations are 55-1,” and the Falcons are the one team that loses. Well, Raheem Morris and Kirk Cousins have flipped the script.
“The new Atlanta Falcons”
The new Atlanta Falcons pic.twitter.com/L0rsdn8vc1
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) October 4, 2024
Against the Eagles, Kirk Cousins took over with 1:39 left and drove Atlanta’s offense 70 yards down the field, completing 5-of-6 passes, including the game-winner to Drake London.
Against the Saints, the club trailed 24-23 after allowing a touchdown with one minute remaining, but a pass interference set up a Younghoe Koo game-winning field goal from 58 yards.
Then, last night, Cousins threw an interception, setting up the Buccaneers with a first-and-10 on the Atlanta 28-yard line with less than two minutes to go. The Falcons defense stood on its head, something they hadn’t done all game. The good guys got some help from the refs, and the Tampa offense finished the drive losing 14 yards. Baker Mayfield wouldn’t touch the ball again.
Typically, they would’ve lost all of those games, but this isn’t your memaw’s Atlanta Falcons. This is a different team, one the entire city is beginning to pay attention to.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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