While the Atlanta Falcons have long been removed from the playoff conversation, there is one interesting story remaining in the season. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been put back into the starting lineup in the second half of the season after the franchise lost Michael Penix Jr. to the third serious knee injury of his career. Already, Cousins has gone a long way in repairing his image, winning back-to-back games, putting up respectable numbers while helping engineer a breakout end-of-season run for Kyle Pitts.
The veteran still has flashed his age, fading away from hits or not putting quite enough on the ball; however, there is no denying the numbers Cousins has put up. Over the last two games of the season, the veteran has 570 passing yards and five touchdowns to only one interception. These are the numbers of a starter in this league, which is where many fans are going to be quick to point out the quality of teams that the Falcons have played.
Neither the Tampa Bay Buccaneers nor the Arizona Cardinals has played sound defensively over the final weeks of the season, lessening the impact of Kirk's great stretch. Something that is destined to change with Atlanta taking on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football's season finale. Atlanta will be taking on the 6th-ranked scoring defense, which is allowing less than 20 per game this season.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Set up for Statement Game Despite Atlanta's Standing
Cousins is putting up great numbers against the Rams and giving the Falcons a chance to beat the Rams all of a sudden; the comeback is too glaring to ignore. With Penix's future completely uncertain, the Falcons no longer have a clear starting option, and a third straight game against a far superior opponent leaves Cousins as a viable 2026 starting option.
As frustrating as this might be for Atlanta fans tired of mismanagement, it is simply the reality of the situation the Falcons have put themselves in. Penix was always an injury risk, and signing Cousins in the same offseason was intended as an insurance policy. Now, it is on the shoulders of the quarterback to finish the season strong and prove that he is a viable option for the 2026 season.
Cousins putting together 250-300 passing yards against this strong Los Angeles defense and protecting the football takes this from a conversation to the likely path the Falcons will walk. The biggest question is whether or not the coaching staff of Raheem Morris will remain in place or if owner Arthur Blank will make a change. Regardless, there is no question that a lot is riding on Monday's game for the future of a player who is one great game from rejuvenating his career as a QB in this league.