Cousins Makes History With 290th Touchdown
The Atlanta Falcons delivered a decisive 24-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and in doing so, quarterback Kirk Cousins etched his name into the annals of NFL history.
Historic Milestone for Cousins
In a pivotal fourth-quarter moment, Cousins connected with Darnell Mooney for a 49-yard touchdown pass. This impressive play not only solidified the Falcons’ lead but also marked Cousins’ 290th career touchdown pass. With this achievement, he joins the legendary Johnny Unitas, tying for 17th on the all-time list of touchdown passes in league history.
The touchdown also broke a scoring drought for Cousins, as it was his first since Week 15 of the 2024 season and Mooney’s inaugural touchdown of the year. Filling in for the injured Michael Penix Jr., Cousins was making just his second start of the season. With Penix facing a season-ending ACL surgery, Cousins is now set to lead the Falcons through the final stretch of the season.
A Solid Performance
Cousins’ performance against the Saints was a marked improvement from his previous outing, where he struggled in a 24-point loss to the Miami Dolphins. On Sunday, he completed 16 of 23 passes for 199 yards, along with two touchdowns and one interception.
The game plan crafted by offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was tailored to capitalize on Cousins’ strengths, allowing for a more traditional under-center approach that better suited the veteran quarterback’s experience.
Coaching Praise for Cousins
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris lauded Cousins’ ability to adapt and thrive under the new game plan. “That’s what Kirk’s been throughout his whole career,” Morris remarked after the game. “He’s back to what he’s been in the past and what he’s played for the [14] years in the National Football League. We did want to accommodate Kirk and make him look the best, and what made us feel the best about going out there and operating.”
Looking Ahead for the Falcons
With momentum on their side, the Falcons will aim to continue their winning streak in Week 13 as they take on the Jets. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Cousins can notch his 291st touchdown pass, further solidifying his place in NFL history. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
