In an early window brimming with excitement, the Atlanta Falcons' nail-biting 26-24 win over the archrival New Orleans Saints lacked little in drama.
However, for winning quarterback Kirk Cousins it lacked plenty in terms of where he wants the Falcons to be. Thus, he'll celebrate the victory, but he'll also be hammering home a massive need to improve for his 2-2 squad.
"There's a lot to fix," Cousins said, via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. "And so, you come away saying, 'I'm so glad we won,' but I'm going to be voice memoing on the way home to the coaches with some thoughts and how I've got to be better and how we've got to build on it."
Atlanta was outgained (366-315), was nearly doubled up in first downs (25-14) and lost the time of possession battle by more than 11 minutes.
Still, a pair of defensive touchdowns and four Younghoe Koo field goals, including the game-winning 58-yarder with nary two seconds remaining, earned Atlanta a victory.
To Cousins' point about needing improvement, it's hardly a recipe for success.
According to NFL Research, it's just the second victory in Falcons chronicle in which Atlanta scored zero offensive touchdowns and multiple defensive or special teams TDs. The first time was in 1977. And it was the first time the Falcons have won a game without an offensive touchdown since Week 3, 2004. Perhaps putting it into better scope, the franchise is now 6-97 in games in which it doesn't score an offensive TD.
Cousins needs to look no further than the mirror when it comes to seeking better results.
He was 21 of 35 for 238 passing yards and an interception.
Thus, after 12-plus seasons with three teams and four Pro Bowl selections, Cousins knows he must be better. Just the same, the veteran also knows how arduous wins are to come by, so while he endeavors for improvement, he'll also be happy to be improving with a win in his back pocket.
"It's great to find a way to win in this league," Cousins said.
