NW Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons showcased a significant improvement in their passing game during Thursday night's 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kirk Cousins, the Falcons' quarterback, achieved a career-high and franchise record with 509 passing yards. Post-game discussions highlighted the theme of "anticipation," which Cousins emphasized as crucial to their success.

Cousins pointed out a specific play in the second quarter that signaled progress for him and his receivers. On second-and-4 from Tampa Bay's 46-yard line, he connected with Kyle Pitts for an 8-yard gain. This play stood out to Cousins as it demonstrated a growing connection between him and his receivers.

"There was a moment in the second quarter where I threw a couple passes where I was basically anticipating where Kyle was going to be or Drake was going to be," Cousins said. He added that he felt more decisive compared to previous weeks, noting that anticipation played a key role in this development.

During an interview on Friday morning, Cousins elaborated on this newfound confidence with Pitts. He explained how he anticipated Pitts' movements without certainty but trusted his instincts—a trust that proved accurate when Pitts held his position at the 40-yard line.

Cousins admitted that against other teams like the Steelers and Eagles, such anticipation might not have led to successful plays. However, against the Buccaneers, these moments helped propel the team's performance forward.

Another example of this improved anticipation came from Cousins' connection with receiver Drake London. A short pass late in the first half demonstrated similar foresight from Cousins, contributing to London's impressive performance of 154 receiving yards on 12 catches.

Raheem Morris, associated with notable QB/WR duos throughout his coaching career, observed these developments firsthand. He commented on how these improvements reflect growing muscle memory among players: "Last night I kind of described it as it becoming muscle memory."

Morris noted how time is essential for developing such chemistry—a sentiment echoed by Cousins who mentioned past experiences with Vikings receivers. With only four games under their belt together in Atlanta, Thursday's game indicated potential for further growth.

"I can really feel it starting to come," concluded Cousins after securing an important win that hinted at unlocking greater capabilities within Atlanta's pass game.