FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are in search of a definitive offensive identity as they prepare to face the New York Jets this Sunday. With a record of 4-7, the Falcons have recently made a significant shift in their offensive strategy, especially with quarterback Kirk Cousins stepping in for the injured Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins, who is making his second consecutive start for Atlanta, had initially anticipated a smooth transition when Kevin O”Connell became the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. He expected to see a familiar system, reminiscent of Sean McVay”s offense from his time in Washington. “I thought he was going to run Sean McVay”s offense. “Oh, I ran that in 2016, no big deal,”” Cousins said. However, he quickly realized that O”Connell”s approach was markedly different, requiring him to adapt significantly.
This week, as Cousins prepares to lead the Falcons against the Jets (2-9), he reflects on the ongoing evolution of football. “Football is always evolving,” he remarked. “It really is fascinating how much football is changing year to year.”
In last week”s game, Cousins brought a new dynamic to the Falcons” offense. Atlanta”s offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson, noted that Cousins is more comfortable operating under center, a strategy the team employed heavily against the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons ran 30 plays from under center during their 24-10 victory, a stark contrast to the 39 such plays they had run over their previous ten games combined.
Robinson clarified that the formation changes are not purely strategic but are influenced by the quarterbacks” preferences and comfort levels. “We don”t really see a difference there,” Robinson stated regarding Cousins and Penix”s ability to execute plays from different alignments. The Falcons have been leading the NFL in pistol formation snaps this season, with Penix accounting for a significant portion of those plays.
Despite the injury to Penix, who will miss the rest of the season following knee surgery, Robinson remains open to exploring different formations upon his return. Penix has demonstrated effectiveness in the pistol formation, ranking seventh in the league in yards per attempt from that setup.
As the Falcons aim to regain their offensive efficiency, they will look to build on the momentum generated by Cousins” leadership. The Jets” defense offers a challenge, ranking 25th in defensive EPA, but Cousins is aware of the tactical battle ahead. “I have played Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks a bunch of times in my career, and it”s always been a dogfight,” he shared.
With changes in personnel and strategy, the Falcons hope to find the right balance that can lead them back to success on the field.
