Kirk Cousins takes blame for loss after 4 INTs sink Falcons

ATLANTA — Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins took the blame for Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers after he had one of many worst outings of his 13-year NFL profession on Sunday.

Cousins threw 4 interceptions, probably the most he is had in a single recreation since 2014 and a complete that ties a career-high. He was the sufferer of a 61-yard pick-six by Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Nonetheless and had one other interception in the long run zone by Marcus Maye that harpooned a promising fourth-quarter drive. Three of the ultimate Atlanta drives within the recreation led to a Cousins interception.

In his postgame information convention, Cousins took accountability for the poor efficiency and the defeat.

“I look to myself and say, ‘I’ve bought to play higher,'” Cousins mentioned. “It hurts. If you really feel like your protection performed profitable soccer, really feel like your particular groups made large performs, felt just like the run recreation [did] a strong job, I’ve bought to play higher.”

It was the Falcons’ third straight loss and the workforce is now 6-6 and clinging to first place within the NFC South. Cousins has not thrown a landing in three consecutive video games. He had by no means had back-to-back video games with out throwing a landing go since changing into a full-time starter in 2015.

Coming off a bye week, Atlanta wished to repair its protection — and largely did. The Falcons had a season-high 5 sacks, their highest complete since Week 16 of 2023. They didn’t permit an offensive landing. But, they nonetheless got here away with a loss, which fell on the shoulders of the offense.

The Falcons stay behind Cousins as their quarterback, regardless of 2024 No. 8 total choose Michael Penix Jr. ready within the wings because the QB of the longer term. Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris mentioned he had no considered placing Penix in Sunday and Cousins will stay the starter transferring ahead. Morris mentioned Cousins “has carried us.”

“Kirk was introduced right here to place us in a playoff place,” Morris mentioned. “… Every part continues to be proper in entrance of us. We’re nonetheless sticking with our plan.”

Morris mentioned the principle factor he needs to see from Cousins will not be turning the ball over. He mentioned he has “little question” Cousins will bounce again subsequent week in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings, his former workforce. The Falcons signed Cousins within the offseason to a four-year, $180 million contract.

“He is been nice for us all season and it is exhausting to throw that man below the bus,” Morris mentioned.

Falcons extensive receiver Drake London defended Cousins after the sport.

“Everyone who’s performed soccer and particularly at this stage has had video games like that,” London mentioned. “I really feel like I simply had a recreation like that. So, it isn’t all on Kirk. It will probably by no means be all on Kirk. Now we have to run the proper routes. Now we have to be detailed, and we’ve to execute our performs. In order that query sort of irks me a bit of bit. I actually do not like that. Kirk is greater than an distinctive quarterback.”

Cousins mentioned he is wholesome, although he “would like to inform you that I am combating by means of one thing,” to account for his play. On Morris giving him a vote of confidence, Cousins mentioned “there is no entitlement within the NFL.”

“You simply should go earn it,” Cousins mentioned. “And if it ever was [entitlement,] I would not need it. I must play at a stage that justifies being on the market, and in order that’s the way in which I will all the time view it. And so, I’ve all the time felt by means of my entire 13 years that it ought to by no means be about something however earn the proper to be on the market.”