FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Kirk Cousins Explodes For 509 Passing Yards

By Jared Smola | Updated on Fri, 04 Oct 2024, 8:31 AM EDT

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards in Thursday night's 36-30 overtime win over the Buccaneers. That was a career-high, a franchise record, and the 15th-most in NFL history. Cousins was hot from the start of this one, connecting with WR Drake London for an 18-yard TD on the first drive of the game. His best throw came in the second quarter: A dart to WR Darnell Mooney in between multiple Bucs defenders for a 24-yard TD. Cousins found Mooney for another score from 12 yards out in the fourth quarter. Then in overtime, he threw WR KhaDarel Hodge open with a well-placed ball. Hodge then out-raced the defense for the game-winning 45-yard TD.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

Two key takeaways from this one:

Cousins has looked progressively better each week coming off last year's torn Achilles. While he still has very little mobility inside the pocket, Cousins' arm strength appears to be returning after a worrisome start to the season. And he's looking more comfortable in OC Zac Robinson's offense, getting through his progressions faster.
The Falcons are throwing more. Atlanta called pass on just 54% of their snaps over the first three games. Their pass rates the last two: 71% and 78%. That's likely been partly opponent-related. But it'd also make sense for the Falcons to open up the passing game as Cousins gets settled in.

Cousins is in the mix as a QB1 spot starter going forward. He gets a plus matchup vs. the Panthers in Week 6 before a tough Seahawks defense in Week 7. That's followed by a rematch with the Bucs.

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.