Intriguing players to watch in Falcons vs. Saints

"Kirk Cousins steps in for injured Michael Penix at quarterback for his second start of 2025. With seven games left this season, this is a golden opportunity for Cousins to prove he hasn't forgotten how to play quarterback for another team he's inevitably auditioning for in 2026. In the meantime, the Falcons need to figure out a way to get a boost to their offense with Cousins, who has been pretty bad thus far this year."

"Needing to help Cousins will be wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who will lead the Falcons' pass-catchers with Drake London out of the lineup. Mooney has struggled mightily this season, but he did his best work last year with Cousins at the helm. There may still be something left in that connection, and the Falcons will need to resurrect it against the Saints."

"Given the concerns surrounding the passing game, the Falcons' offense will rely heavily on running back Bijan Robinson. This exact scenario happened against the Miami Dolphins earlier this season, and Robinson finished the game with just 25 rushing yards. The Falcons will need a lot more from their offensive superstar starting this week and throughout the rest of the season if this offense is to be competitive."

"Perhaps the Falcons' best bet at being competitive for the next few weeks rests on their defense's ability to turn things around, thanks to the triumphant return of linebacker Divine Deablo to the lineup. The Falcons sported one of the league's best pass defenses when Deablo was healthy for the first five games. But things fell off a cliff after Deablo's forearm injury in Week 7."

Kirk Cousins will start in place of the injured Michael Penix for his second start of 2025, presenting a crucial audition with seven games remaining. The Falcons need offensive improvement, as Cousins has struggled so far this year. Darnell Mooney will lead the pass-catchers with Drake London out, and Mooney's prior success with Cousins suggests potential chemistry to revive. Running back Bijan Robinson must carry a larger workload after a previous low-yardage game versus Miami. The defense could regain form with linebacker Divine Deablo back, restoring a previously strong pass defense.

Read at The Falcoholic