Cousins finds his mojo
New life for Falcons after upset win in Philly
With a year of high hopes on the cusp of a 0-2 start, Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons suddenly found their mojo.
The result was a game-winning drive that gave this season a whole new perspective.
Cousins completed five of six passes for 70 yards, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to Drake London with 34 seconds remaining that gave the Falcons an improbable 22-21 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
“It was really, really important for us to be able to come in here and get a win,” Cousins said. “We had to do it any way we could. As so many NFL games do, it really came down to the final drive.”
If Atlanta goes on to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season, a possession that took a little over a minute might be remembered as an early turning point.
It was as if a light went on for Cousins, who looked extremely rusty in an 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener.
There was plenty of speculation that he wasn't fully recovered from a torn Achilles tendon that cut short his final season with the Minnesota Vikings and led to the Falcons sitting him for the entire preseason.
But everything clicked after the Eagles squandered a chance to put the game away when Saquon Barkley dropped an open pass that should've been, at worst, a clinching first down and perhaps even a touchdown.
For sure, the Falcons were extremely fortunate just to get an opportunity to win the game.
Still, they had to capitalize on it. That they did, making it look easy while leaving Lincoln Financial Field in stunned silence.
“I'm proud of the way we played, proud of the way we found a way to win, and we can build on that,” Cousins said. “I think it will build some character and some resolve in our group. I'm really looking forward to building on that up ahead.”
TUA GOES ON IR
The Miami Dolphins placed Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve Tuesday after the quarterback was diagnosed with his third concussion in two years.
Tagovailoa will be sidelined for at least four games. He will be eligible to return in Week 8 when the Dolphins host Arizona, but has to complete a series of tests and assessments required by the NFL'S concussion protocol before he can return to the field.
Tagovailoa was hurt last Thursday night when he collided with Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin. He ran for a first down and then initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding.
Players from both teams immediately motioned that Tagovailoa was hurt, and as he lay on the turf the quarterback exhibited some signs typically associated with a traumatic brain injury. He remained down on the field for a couple of minutes, got to his feet and walked to the sideline. The Dolphins diagnosed him with a concussion a few minutes later. Coach Mike Mcdaniel has since cautioned against speculation on the quarterback's future, stressing that he's more focused on Tagovailoa getting healthy than what this latest concussion means for the team or for his career. Tagovailoa this week began the process of consulting neurologists about his health amid reports that he has no plans to retire.
Others around the NFL have offered their opinions on Tagovailoa's future, including Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who suggested he should retire.
“As far as Tua's career is concerned, I think it's an utmost priority of mine for Tua to speak on Tua's career,” Mcdaniel said Monday. “Reports are reports. As far as I'm concerned, I'm just worried about the human being and where that's at day to day. I'll let Tua be the champion of his own career.”
LLOYD INJURED
Green Bay Packers rookie running back Marshawn Lloyd has been placed on injured reserve after hurting his ankle Sunday in a 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
The Packers announced Tuesday they had put Lloyd on injured reserve. He will miss at least the next four games. The Packers also signed running back Chris Brooks to the active roster from their practice squad.