The Atlanta defense has been the most consistent part of this season thus far. The Falcons, now 3-4 overall, had allowed an opponent to score more than 28 points only once this season (30-0 at Carolina) before Sunday’s 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
That string of play ended when the Dolphins scored their 30th point of the game on a pass from Tua Tagovailoa to running back Ollie Gordion II early in the fourth quarter. Gordon II had been sharing carries with Achane throughout the game and remained a threat to score.
The defense will have to be who saves this season from going in the wrong direction. Because it doesn’t look like offense, whether Michael Penix is under center or his backup Kirk Cousins is starting again next week.
Atlanta has had difficulty scoring touchdowns this season. The Falcons have managed to score more than 25 points once in seven games, including on Sunday. That 34-point game came against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 28. It remains the best overall co-performance from the Falcons’ defense and offense. In his second year with the franchise, offensive coordinator Zach Robinson doesn’t seem to have created an offensive identity for the Falcons’ offense.
Enter Kirk Cousins, who hasn’t started a game since Dec. 12, 2024, when the Falcons defeated the Las Vegas Raiders on the road, 15-9. In that game, Cousins was 11-17 for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier had a combined 34 carries during that game for a combined 168 yards. On Sunday, the Falcons had a combined 45 rushing yards.
Robinson, top five in the National Football League in rushing prior to Sunday’s game, had 25 yards on nine carries. Despite only having had two 100-yard games this season, Robinson, with 549 yards on 106 carries in seven games, is still on pace for another 1,000-yard season.
After the game, Cousins was asked how it felt to be back out there as a starter. He told The Atlanta Voice, “Anytime you don’t have a win, it’s a tough day, but certainly the first time being back out there in 10 months, playing live football, it’s always good to get that experience.”
During the second half of the game, the Falcons’ offense had some motion before Robinson fumbled deep in Dolphins territory. The fumble was recovered by Miami cornerback Tyrel Dodson on the Dolphins’ 16-yard line. There was little, if any, consistency with the Falcons’ offense. Prior to the fumble, Cousins found Robinson on a screen play for 17 yards. During the game there were multiple opportunities to find Robinson, but he ended the game with just three catches for 23 yards.
The Falcons played their last home game for the next two weeks. They will be in New England next Sunday, and in Germany to face the Indianapolis Colts, one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season, the following Sunday, Nov. 9. Atlanta will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 16 against the Carolina Panthers.