Falcons rally win/ Cousins Monday night victory/ NFL Falcons vs Eagles/ Newslooks/ PHILADELPHIA/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kirk Cousins threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Drake London with 34 seconds left, completing a last-minute drive to lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 22-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite a shaky start, Cousins redeemed himself late in the game, outplaying Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and securing Atlanta’s first win of the season.
Cousins Leads Falcons to Victory Over Eagles Quick Looks:
- Kirk Cousins throws game-winning TD to Drake London in Falcons’ 22-21 win.
- Saquon Barkley’s key drop helped the Falcons regain possession for their winning drive.
- Cousins redeemed himself after a rough opener, finishing with 241 yards and two TDs.
- The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts had his final pass intercepted, sealing the Falcons’ comeback.
- Atlanta moves to 1-1, while Philadelphia falls to 1-1 after the Monday night thriller.
Cousins’ Last-Minute TD Lifts Falcons Over Eagles 22-21
Deep Look:
Kirk Cousins silenced doubts about his comeback by leading the Atlanta Falcons to a dramatic 22-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. In just his second game since recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, Cousins orchestrated a flawless final drive, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drake London with only 34 seconds left on the clock.
Cousins’ heroics came after an uneven performance that raised concerns about his $180 million contract with Atlanta. The 36-year-old quarterback, who struggled in the season opener, found his rhythm when it mattered most, going 5 of 6 for 70 yards on the decisive drive. His clutch throws to Darnell Mooney for 21 and 26 yards put the Falcons in position to strike.
“We saved just enough time for those guys to march down and get that game-winning touchdown,” said Falcons coach Raheem Morris. “It was great to see today with Kirk Cousins.”
After Cousins’ game-tying touchdown to London, kicker Younghoe Koo nailed a 48-yard extra point, giving Atlanta the 22-21 lead. Cousins’ calm under pressure was a welcome relief for the Falcons, whose fan base had been anxious about his performance since the Achilles injury.
Cousins finished the game with 241 passing yards, completing 20 of 29 passes, including two touchdowns. His first scoring connection came in the third quarter, a 41-yard strike to Mooney, who finished the night with 88 receiving yards on three catches.
For the Eagles, it was a bitter loss, especially after they had seemingly taken control of the game. Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ star quarterback, threw for 183 yards and a touchdown but had his final pass intercepted by Falcons safety Jessie Bates III with 34 seconds left, ending any hopes of a comeback.
“We made some plays, they made more,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “That starts with coaching and goes to the players. We are all responsible for the loss.”
Philadelphia had a chance to seal the game late in the fourth quarter, but a dropped pass by Saquon Barkley forced the Eagles to settle for a field goal instead of a game-clinching first down. The missed opportunity gave Cousins and the Falcons just enough time to mount their game-winning drive.
Hurts’ struggles were compounded by the absence of his top target, A.J. Brown, who missed the game with a hamstring injury. DeVonta Smith stepped up in his place, catching seven passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Eagles undefeated.
The Eagles’ offense showed flashes of brilliance, especially during a second-quarter touchdown drive where Hurts scrambled for key gains. Hurts found Smith in the back of the end zone for a 7-yard score, putting the Eagles up 7-3 at the time. However, Philadelphia’s red zone struggles haunted them throughout the night, as they settled for field goals instead of touchdowns, allowing Atlanta to hang around.
The Falcons’ defense, despite giving up 183 passing yards to Hurts, made crucial stops in key moments. Linebacker Jessie Bates III’s interception in the final seconds iced the victory and sent the Falcons sideline into celebration.
For Cousins, the victory was more than just a win on the scoreboard—it was a statement that he is still capable of leading a team to victory in pressure-packed situations. “That’s how you put together a great season,” Cousins said. “When you have these games that could go either way, you find a way to have it break your way.”
Other Key Moments:
- Bijan Robinson continued to shine for the Falcons, rushing for 97 yards. However, he was stopped short on a key fourth-and-1 at the Atlanta 39, a gamble that nearly cost the Falcons the game.
- Saquon Barkley had a solid performance with 95 rushing yards on 22 carries, but his crucial drop in the closing minutes left the Eagles vulnerable.
- Jake Elliott kicked three field goals for Philadelphia, including a 28-yarder that gave the Eagles a 21-15 lead late in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Falcons.
Questionable Calls: Sirianni faced criticism for a risky decision early in the game, opting to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Atlanta 9-yard line instead of kicking a field goal. Hurts’ incomplete pass on that play squandered a chance to put early points on the board, a decision that may have come back to haunt the Eagles in such a tight contest.
Injuries: The Falcons were without linebacker Nate Landman due to calf and quad injuries, while the Eagles sorely missed A.J. Brown in the receiving corps.
Up Next:
- Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons will host the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
- Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles head to New Orleans to face the Saints next Sunday.
