Kirk Cousins expresses "disappointment" after Falcons season starts with a loss to Steelers

Modified Sep 11, 2024 23:38 GMT

NFL: AUG 09 Preseason Falcons at Dolphins - Source: Getty — Kirk Cousins lost at home in his first game as a Falcon - Source: Getty

Kirk Cousins found himself with very high expectations when he joined the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent during the offseason. Boasting a monstrous offensive core of Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts, he and the team are expected to dominate the NFC South and contend for the Super Bowl.

But in his team debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he got a massive reality check. He was intercepted twice and, at times, could only helplessly watch as Justin Fields repeatedly set up Chris Boswell for field goals despite not scoring himself.

On Wednesday's episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Cousins said:

"Disappointing. ... The results kind of showed if you watch the tape, it just wasn't good enough. You're going to get it handed to you from time to time, or you're going to have a game where you say that wasn't up to our standard, and you have to figure it out quickly, get it fixed. And then another great opponent is showing up next weekend."

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Matt Ryan reacts to Kirk Cousins' Falcons debut

Who else is disappointed in Kirk Cousins' debut besides Kirk Cousins himself?

Most, if not all, fans will subscribe to this notion, but none more so than former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Presently an analyst for CBS, he shared his thoughts on Monday's episode of "Pushing the Pile."

“I thought not only him but the entire offense looked out of sync," Ryan said. "These guys did not play much in the preseason. The problem is going against Pittsburgh’s defense in Week 1. You have a first-time play-caller in Zac Robinson who’s still getting a feel for the talent around him.” [01:48]

He added that the offense would have been better served running the ball, which it did exactly once.

“When they are effectively running the football, they can get into that play-action passing, which they didn’t do much (Sunday). When you are playing against a defensive line like that, and they know you are gonna drop back, you don’t stand a chance. They need to run the football, and I am sure they are in there today looking at the film.”