Falcons' Week 14 Collapse in Seattle Highlights Deeper Issues Than Just Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons didn’t just lose in Week 14-they unraveled. A 37-9 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks was more than just a bad day at the office. It was a sobering reminder that this team has fundamental issues, and at the center of it all, quarterback Kirk Cousins had a game to forget.
Cousins, in his return from a torn Achilles and still searching for rhythm in this offense, delivered what might go down as his worst performance of the season. He completed just 15 of his 30 passes for 162 yards, no touchdowns, and two costly interceptions. The lone flash of hope-a 25-yard touchdown to Darnell Mooney-was wiped off the board after officials ruled Mooney hadn’t re-established himself inbounds after being forced out.
Outside of that moment? Not much to hang your hat on.
Cousins finished with a 50% completion rate, and the offense looked out of sync from start to finish. But while the veteran quarterback shoulders his share of the blame, this performance was far from a solo act.
Let’s break down the biggest takeaways from a brutal afternoon in Seattle.
1. The Coaching Staff Isn’t Helping the Situation
Let’s be clear: Cousins didn’t play well. But the Falcons’ coaching staff didn’t exactly put him in position to succeed, either.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and head coach Raheem Morris are under increasing scrutiny-and for good reason. The absence of top receiver Drake London continues to loom large, as Cousins and London still haven’t shared the field this season. But the problems go deeper than injuries.
The handling of the wide receiver rotation has been puzzling, to say the least. The Falcons are cycling through names like Deven Thompkins, Dylan Drummond, Casey Washington, KhaDarel Hodge, and K.J.
Osborn without any real continuity or chemistry. That lack of stability is tough on any quarterback, let alone one trying to regain his form after a major injury.
And then there’s the second half. Atlanta was outscored 31-3 after halftime, a collapse that points squarely at coaching adjustments-or the lack thereof.
Morris’ decision-making, especially when it comes to personnel, is raising eyebrows. Washington being a healthy scratch while Osborn sits on the practice squad?
That’s not helping Cousins-or the offense-find any rhythm.
2. Kirk Cousins Looks Like a Quarterback on the Decline
This isn’t easy to say about a player who’s had a strong career, but it’s becoming harder to ignore: Kirk Cousins no longer looks like a starting-caliber quarterback.
At 37, and coming off a major Achilles injury, the physical limitations are starting to show. The Falcons gave him a four-year, $180 million deal in the offseason, banking on his experience and leadership to bridge the gap to the future. But that gamble is looking riskier by the week.
Cousins was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2022, but the regression has been steep. Last season’s 16 interceptions were a warning sign, and while he still flashed moments of competence, the ceiling is clearly lower now. He’s not elevating the talent around him, and in today’s NFL, that’s a must for a veteran QB on a big contract.
The Falcons had a chance to move him last offseason and chose not to. Now, that decision looms large. With Michael Penix Jr. waiting in the wings, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Atlanta will explore the out in Cousins’ contract this offseason to free up cap space and pivot to their young quarterback.
3. Kyle Pitts Is Playing Himself Into Atlanta’s Future Plans
If there was a bright spot in Sunday’s loss, it was Kyle Pitts.
The fourth-year tight end turned in his best performance of the season, catching six passes for 90 yards. With London sidelined and the wide receiver corps in flux, Pitts stepped up as Cousins’ most reliable target. He took advantage of a Seattle defense that’s struggled to contain tight ends, using his size and athleticism to create mismatches all over the field.
This is the version of Pitts the Falcons envisioned when they drafted him in the top five. And with free agency on the horizon, he’s making a strong case to stick around. While his role in the offense has fluctuated over the past couple of seasons, his performance in Week 14 was a reminder of what he can do when featured properly.
In a game where little else worked, Pitts-and Bijan Robinson, to a lesser extent-were the only offensive players who consistently made plays. That should matter as Atlanta evaluates its long-term core.
Final Thoughts
The Falcons are now 4-9, and any playoff hopes have long since faded. But what’s more concerning than the record is the lack of direction. The quarterback situation is murky, the coaching staff is under fire, and the offense is in disarray.
Kirk Cousins may have been the face of Sunday’s loss, but the problems run deeper. From questionable coaching decisions to inconsistent personnel usage, this team has a lot to figure out-and fast. The offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one in Atlanta, and how the front office handles it could define the next several years for the franchise.