ATLANTA — Obviously, the Falcons need Kirk Cousins to play well in his first start since Week 15. A loss to the 1-6 Dolphins would be disastrous for Atlanta, but there’s also a danger in Cousins playing too well.
Regular starter Michael Penix Jr., who is out today due to a bone bruise in his left knee, has been inconsistent so far this season. He is 27th in the league in EPA per dropback (minus-.02) and completion percentage (61 percent) this season. Cousins was 7-7 as the Falcons’ starter last year and finished 18th in the league in EPA per dropback (.05).
If Cousins plays well for a team that overall has had too much inconsistency this season, there will be a segment of the fan base that wants him to hold onto the job. The 13-year veteran signed the NFL’s largest total potential value free agency deal in history last offseason but was benched after Week 15 due to a disastrous stretch that featured nine interceptions and one touchdown pass.
He looked sharp throughout training camp in Atlanta, often showing greater accuracy than Penix during 11-on-11 work.
David Sills V has played four seasons in the NFL. His career game came in Carolina in 2022 when he had three catches for 37 yards. It will be shocking if he doesn’t top that today against Miami.
Sills signed with Atlanta this offseason and only has one catch this season but all signs are pointing to a big game today. The two biggest signs: Atlanta’s leading wide receiver Drake London is out with a hip injury, and Kirk Cousins is starting at quarterback.
Cousins and Sills quickly developed a friendship when Sills joined the team and Sills was Cousins’ favorite target throughout training camp. Cousins swapped lockers at the team’s practice facility this offseason. His new spot? Right next to Sills.
With Zach Harrison (knee) and Jalon Walker (groin) inactive today, Atlanta will be two of its most productive pass rushers. Harrison leads the team with 3.5 sacks. Walker has one and also two quarterback hits.
The Falcons are surprisingly deep this season at edge rusher but with inside linebacker and occasional blitzer Divine Deablo also out, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich may have to get extra creative today to get pressure on Tua Tagovailoa.