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There are 100 million fully guaranteed reasons this may not happen, but the Falcons need to send Kirk Cousins to the sideline and start Michael Penix Jr.
Let’s start, naturally, with the numbers as justification. Over the last four games, all Atlanta losses, Cousins has thrown eight interceptions without a touchdown, with a 7.57 yards-per-attempt average, and led an offense that is averaging 14.25 points per contest. Brutal.
The abysmal quarterback play coincided with a three-game surge for Atlanta’s defense. From Week 11 to Week 13, the Falcons defense was eighth in Expected Points Added per play in non-garbage-time situations. They weren’t able to play anywhere close to that level on the road against Sam Darnold and Co. in Minnesota, however, and the result was getting doubled up by the Vikings, 42-21.
In fourth quarters alone, Cousins has a 56 rating, which stems from two touchdowns to eight interceptions at 61.2% completion and 6.20 yards per attempt. Nine of Atlanta’s 13 games to date have been within one score entering the fourth.
This isn’t a schematic problem, nor are fluky plays the culprit here.
Cousins has regressed from a dependable, high-efficiency pocket passer with limited upside to an immobile quarterback whose weak arm and poor decision-making have become clear liabilities.
As the kids say, Cousins is cooked.
If completion percentage and yards per attempt are checked, it’d appear Cousins is operating on-brand. During his six-year stint in Minnesota, he completed 67.8% of his throws at 7.6 yards per attempt. This year in Atlanta, his completion rate is 67%, and his yards-per-attempt average is 7.8.
But the film tells a completely different story.
Check these interceptions against the Vikings.
And don’t forget, three of his four interceptions in the 17-13 loss in front of the home crowd to the Chargers in Week 13 were of the brutal variety.
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/why-falcons-should-bench-kirk-cousins-for-rookie-michael-penix-jr-after-another-poor-performance-vs-vikings/
Author : Chris Trapasso
Publish date : 2024-12-09 17:20:00
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