This is the Kirk Cousins the Falcons Need

Down six with 1:39 left in the game, the Falcons needed a touchdown drive to avoid starting the season 0-2.

Cousins hit big throw after big throw and threw a touchdown to Drake London with 34 seconds left in the game.

The Falcons almost scored too fast, and the game had to be sealed by a Jessie Bates interception. On the road in a hostile environment, a win is a win.

Last week many people, including me, ripped Kirk Cousins for not making big plays when it mattered. He threw bad interceptions and looked immobile.

Last night, Cousins seemed a new man. He took snaps under center, engineered play action passes, and even ran it once or twice.

Cousins has thrived on play action passes in years past, and the lack thereof was a key reason why he seemed to struggle last week.

The Falcons needed this win. The Chiefs are next before the Falcons start division play and the Buccaneers and Saints look good early.

This is the Kirk Cousins that Atlanta broke the bank for this offseason. With Desmond Ridder, the Falcons are not getting that game winning drive.

Cousins wasn’t always perfect tonight, he missed a big play to Ray Ray McCloud for example, but it was a huge improvement to last week.

Cousins needs to string more performances like this together. I think it will get better as the season goes on.

If this is what we’re going to see from Cousins going forward, it’s going to be an exciting year for the Falcons.