In June, it's all about optimism. Every team is at the top of their game, every player with a question mark has all the answers. There's no room for doubt, there are only good vibes. The signing of Cousins comes with the promise of instant success. A promise to the end of a six-year playoff skid that Atlanta Falcons fans haven't felt since the dawn of the '90s. As Atlanta navigates this off-season, armed with the easiest schedule in the NFL, they are primed to rule the NFC South and take the NFL by storm.
Despite that easier path, there does not mean there aren't places in the season where Cousins and this offense couldn't falter. Today, we list out five possible games where Cousins could struggle in the 2024 season.
1) @ Minnesota Vikings - Week 14 - December 8th, 2024
The lead-up to this game will be about one thing and one thing only: Cousins' return to the Twin Cities. With this much emotion surrounding one game, this much hype and this much talk around one aspect of it, it can get exhausting. Cousins is the ultimate professional and will handle these distractions like any player should.
But the mental toll on this game will be a lot to overcome, not to mention having to deal with the likes of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. His exotic fronts and aggressive nature could be a massive thorn in Cousins' side as he navigates his return to USA Bank Stadium.
2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - Week 1 - September 8th, 2024
When the rumors swirled around the Pittsburgh game being the opening game for Atlanta, worry immediately started to set in. Not because of Cousins' 3-6 record in opening week games or the amount of storylines that could possibly fill the news shows leading up to the game.
What worries me wears number 90 on one side of the line (T.J. Watt), number 56 on the other side (Alex Highsmith) and number 97 in the middle (Cam Heyward). Last season, Pittsburgh tied for 11th in total sacks and was 11th in pressure percentage, one of the reasons why they were sixth in points allowed last season. Their physical style of play is the last thing a quarterback coming off a major injury wants to see in his first game back, and pose a massive test early for the Falcons and their offensive line in a brand new system.
3) vs. Kansas City Chiefs - Week 3 - September 22nd, 2024
There will be a lot of speculation that this game will be on here because it's not a game that is played on Sunday before 7 o'clock p.m. EST. However, I saw how Cousins dismantled the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football last season, so I'm hoping that narrative can be put on layaway for the time being.
Instead, the Chiefs come into this year after fielding the second-best defense in points allowed and sixth in EPA/play allowed. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense was a driving force behind Kansas City's Super Bowl run and, despite the loss of La'Jarius Sneed, will look to have a similar effect as they look for the three-peat.
4) vs. Dallas Cowboys - Week 9 - November 3rd, 2024
For Dallas, I'm just not a fan of the matchup. Premier pass-rushers seem to always have a day against Atlanta, mostly due to them targeting right tackle Kaleb McGary whenever they can. They lost defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and with it, maybe a touch of their aggression as well. But, this is still a talented roster with a sticky secondary that could cause a lot of turnovers.
5) @ Washington Commanders - Week 17 - TBD
You know that itch that continues to bug you to no end? For the Falcons, that itch is in the shape of a huge "W." Atlanta has had trouble for the past three years beating the aggressive play of the Commanders and their dangerous front seven. Last season, the Commanders got to Desmond Ridder three times and they look to be just as dangerous in the front seven with new head coach and familiar face to Falcons fans, Dan Quinn coming to town.
