“I Think We Have All Heard Enough About Kirk Cousins And The Mighty Falcons”
September 9th, 2024
Locked in yesterday.
Finally, finally, people are beginning to wake up.
Kirk Cousins is not the second coming of John Elway. Kirk Cousins is coming off a major Achilles injury and the Dixie Chicks do not have weapons on their offense like the Bucs have on theirs. You will not find a Mike Evans, a Chris Godwin, hell, maybe not even a Jalen McMillan on the Dixie Chicks roster.
All offseason all Joe heard from national #NFLMedia was that the season should not be played. It was over in March. Once Atlanta signed Cousins, it was the Dixie Chicks’ division. Time for Artie Blank to start selling playoff tickets.
Funny thing happened yesterday. The Bucs looked exactly like the team they are, a team vying for a four-peat division title. And the Dixie Chicks looked like, well, the Dixie Chicks.
Maybe it is partially due to the typical over-the-top overreaction to Week 1 but it seems some are already regretting slurping Atlanta so much as the next great powerhouse.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs set many straight yesterday. And Peter Schrager of NFL Network is willing to eat falcon.
Mea culpa, Schrager bellowed this morning on “Good Morning Football,” seen weekday mornings on NFL Network. The Bucs, Schrager said, are still the bullies of the NFC South and Schrager gave Mayfield a game ball.
“It was a long summer of Falcons hype where we talked about the Falcons as the NFC South division power,” Schrager began as co-host Kyle Brandt moaned and laughed in the background in agreement. “The Falcons this and the Falcons that.
“Falcons stunk yesterday. You know who was great? Baker Mayfield and the defending NFC South [champion] Buccaneers were great! Baker Mayfield gets my game ball.
“I love watching Baker bake.”
Mayfield was fantastic throwing four touchdowns and using timely scrambles to keep the chains moving and keeping the ball out of the hands of dangerous rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Week 1 isn’t even over yet. It’s just about 24 hours after the Steelers punked the Dixie Chicks. And already Schrager has had it with the beatification of Elway Cousins.
Schrager, a closet Bucs fan, is climbing back on board the Bucs bandwagon.
“I think we have all heard enough about Kirk Cousins and the mighty Falcons,” Schrager said.
Amen, brother!
“All summer, everyone talked about the mighty Atlanta Falcons as the big favorites in the NFC South… My Week 1 game ball goes to the best quarterback on any field yesterday — the NFC South’s defending champion QB— @BakerMayfield.” 🏈
– @pschrags | @buccaneers pic.twitter.com/h4QuWyng6X
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 9, 2024
September 9th, 2024 at 2:47 pm
Falcons Suck!!
September 9th, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Let’s see what happens in Detroit. Think the offense can score against the agressive Lions. And look forward to Coen cooking up a good gameplan. Like everyone, worried about the condition of the defense. Why does this have to happen when the O is turning the corner.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
Joe, any thoughts on Wirfs playing at a level below what weve become accustomed to?
September 9th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
We can score easily enough, it’s just stopping THEM is the problem
September 9th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
The question is WHY? Why were they so in love with Atlanta and Cousins…. The coaching staff??? All new, but they were the geniuses that are going to turn it around. The Defense, nope, they were still making trades trying to piece something together not more than 2 weeks ago? Cousins with a bum leg?
Love makes you do crazy things.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Forreal. We still get disrespected. Ohh it was TB12 who won them a SB and made them great. Um excuse me. Our defense won us that SB and Brady could have picked just about any other team but he chose the Bucs because of the roster Jason put together and Jason has kept building this team the right way getting us out of debt for the that SB and almost repeat lol.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:52 pm
Funny thing about the Falcons loss yesterday for those that didn’t watch, it likely should have been much more lopsided than the final score showed. TJ Watt got robbed of a couple strip sacks due to some questionable flags. I’m sure fields could have found a TD or two out of those
September 9th, 2024 at 2:52 pm
elite bucs Says:
September 9th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
Joe, any thoughts on Wirfs playing at a level below what weve become accustomed to?
Nobody ever said a Wirfs regression or Winfield regression. It was only on Mayfield. I think Mayfield’s best seasons are still ahead of him.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
I still believe the defense will be ok. Goff is not as mobile like Jayden and the pass rush will get home. Vita Will and Gaines will stuff the run lanes. Todd Bowles and his coaches got this. The offense is much better and they will score points. I see 24 points next week easy.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
When the Bucs acquired Baker my hopes were that he would be paired with an OC that could create the same sort of success that Sean Payton and Drew Brees had together. Canales was not that man but Baker still had a very good season. It’s very early but Liam Coen could be that man.
My concerns (worries) were that the Bucs would be on a coaching carousel.
After Baker’s performance yesterday, my thoughts are that just about any OC would like to coach him. That might bode well for continuity with Baker and Liam.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT A TEAM …
The Saints dropped a boatload of points yesterday. Granted it was a Canales Coached team but still it was a lot of points.
Saints played the worst team. Bucs played the second worse. Both teams did what they should do. It might be a tight race again.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:10 pm
Baker Fan. I dont think either of those guys regress substantially any time soon. I do agree on Baker though. I dont think we have seen his best in the NFL yet. I have visions of Baker under the confetti at the superbowl.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
sly pirate- the commanders are not good that is true. But they are not the second worst team. The Giants are. We beat the mighty third worst team
September 9th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Bucs played a team that ranked 32nd in Defense in 2023 and the Falcons played against a team that ranked 6th with an OLB that had the best game of his career. Kind of Edge guy Joe probably dreams about after putting his picture of Baker on the night stand before Beddy Bye.
Cousins was 0-3 with a slow start last season and worked back to .500 before going down with the Injury. That included a win over the 49er’s. How did Lil B fare against San Fran? 1 TD, 1 INT, QBR 48, and a Passer rating of 76. Average Yards per attempt 5.5.
Don’t count him out. Mayfield is still the 3rd best starting QB in the Division if you just count the starters.
Cousins passer rating against Pittsburgh was a 1/2 point higher than Mayfield’s against the Lions in 2023.
Don’t count Cousins out as Rodgers could start slow tonight in S.F.
Anoint Lil B King of the Playground cause he can beat up the weaker Kids. Impressive.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Outstanding start to the NFCS. CAR and ATL smell horrible. Glad to see NOLA get an early ego stroking win so they can brag about it all season before missing the playoffs.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Was gonna say the same thing Elite Buc.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Sure our offense is worlds better than ATL, and ultimately if i had to choose – I’d rather have the dynamic offense in today’s game. But Atlanta has all of their corners. And a better defense and pass rush. Maybe we can, you know, not get hurt? We can have a good offense all we want, but if better teams and better offenses than the Commanders play keep away then we’re going nowhere. JTS – gnna need you to come through BAMBI and get to the QB, and we’re a Jamel Dean injury away from teams throwing for 900 yards on us
September 9th, 2024 at 4:04 pm
Fan of the South Says:
September 9th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Go Away, Go to a Falcons board and push that hopeless optimisms onto their defeated Fans. You have no time for your gibberish over here.
September 9th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
SlyPirate Says:
September 9th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT A TEAM …
The Saints dropped a boatload of points yesterday. Granted it was a Canales Coached team but still it was a lot of points.
…..
Sly, unfortunately I watched that entire game. I came away thinking 3 things, Kamara looked pretty good, that Defense played dirty, and that classless organization left their starters in way to long.
Watched the Cowboys game also, New Orleans is in for a world of hurt.
September 9th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Lions front 7 are out of this world = advantage Lions
Lions O-line is out of this world (pass & run block), our run blocking still weak, pass blocking is really good = advantage Lions.
Lions run game is very consistent – and if defense gets gassed, that Lions o-link couple with Montgomery & Gibbs – they can grind up the clock = advantage Lions.
Bucs receiver are elite, Lions receivers are really good – advantage Buccaneers.
Buccaneers scheme/personnel fit & Coens playcalling look amazing = Lions Goff is really good against pressure, but elite with no pressure = draw.
I think it’s going to be a tough game. Will be cheering for a victory, but we need to find some consistent run blocking and hope that Bucky will get more carries.
Good game to gauge the progress of the offense – hope we can get Kancey back, cuz we need to get a couple of stops to steal a couple of possessions in order to have a chance at winning.
September 9th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Just so we are all on the same page, The Steelers are 100x better than the The Redskins.
The Steelers beat us last year with a lesser team and backup QB
Not to take away from Baker, (LAST YEAR) The Vikings and TheWonderCurt was a nice week one measuring stick type victory.
I am almost head over heels for Baker like everyone else and really wanted Trask to get a shot. But this victory needs to be weighted properly.
Excellent start and building block game. Gotta stay consistently good in order to be great Bake!!!
Getter Done Son!!!!!!!!!
September 9th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Well, these comparisons between the Panthers/Saints and Bucs/Commanders are misleading. The Bucs scored 37 points without getting a turnover. In other words, all of their points came from sustained drives. OTOH, Saints had 22 points where they went 36 yards or less for a score.
September 9th, 2024 at 5:10 pm
Who cares what the national media thinks. Just play hard and smart
September 9th, 2024 at 6:42 pm
Tua: 23-37 for 338, 1 TD, no picks. QBR of 48?
September 9th, 2024 at 7:05 pm
I look forward to the Panthers game, so Baker can make up for scoring only 9 points against them last year. I know he was injured but still just to put another nail in Cornales’ head coach coffin. Hopefully when we play Nawleans we can ruff up Carr since their dirty hits injured him in the first place. Can’t wait for Atl because of all the “We Like That” Cousins love. Shoot we need to go 6-0 in this division to really put a stamp on winning the 4th title in a row!
I’ve been tough on Baker because I’m no one’s fanboi not even the Bucs tho I do love them but if he plays consistently like that every game and staying smart aggressive like he was we can beat any team even with the defense the way it is. Just need to get some 1st drive tds under our belts.
September 9th, 2024 at 7:09 pm
So many excuses on why we won. lol
September 9th, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Some of you guys still don’t get it!! We’re not the same team as last year. We’re a very confident team. Please don’t be negative about things. We’re gonna be just fine. Sure we’ll lose some games. But not very many. Chill!!
September 9th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
And WiseCrack : I’m sure noone is on the same page with you on the Steelers being 100 times better than the “Redskins”. What the hell are you talking about?
September 9th, 2024 at 7:52 pm
Sharp’s analysis of strength of schedule had the Falcons with the easiest schedule in the league. The Bucs were OK at 13th.
This week’s loss to Pittsburgh at home really HURTS. That game had to be penciled in as a certain win for the Falcons. Kudos to Joe for figuring out what the Steeler pass rush would do to Cousins before the game ever kicked off.
And now the Falcons hit the road for a game against the Eagles then return home for a showdown with the Chiefs before two critical Division games with New Orleans and then the Bucs.
IF the Dirty Birds open 0-5 including two home losses to their Divisional rivals, it’ll be a tough hole to dig out of. QB controversies with Penix don’t make it any easier. Cousins salary cap hit isn’t going to make it any easier next year either!
September 9th, 2024 at 8:46 pm
I don’t get why some folks hate on Baker these days. Especially Bucs fans. It is irrational. He has been a godsend.
September 9th, 2024 at 9:13 pm
Falcons look like a poorly coached team.
They have too many horses to look that bad.
September 9th, 2024 at 10:29 pm
In Licht I trust. In Mayfield I trust. Looking forward to a winning season and a playoff berth.
Go Bucs!
September 9th, 2024 at 11:16 pm
It’s week one, the Falcons played a very tough Steeler defense with a near one man wrecking crew at defensive end. The Bucs played last year’s worst defense in the NFL. It’s a good week one start, let’s see how our Bucs do against a more formidable team, the Detroit Lions. Dominate the Lions like we did the Commanders then we can think of gloating.
September 9th, 2024 at 11:31 pm
Eh. He had a couple of human moments Sunday. No biggie. He’s maybe the last guy Joe is worried about.
September 10th, 2024 at 2:43 am
Did those guys really believe what they were spouting about the birdy boys? I doubt it. No real, honest sports reporting anymore. Its all about the clicks. Even GMF…
Sad
Go Bucs!
September 10th, 2024 at 7:31 am
Atlanta got so much preseason hype! Reality bit them in the ass, haha. Football is not won in preseason press releases. The media machine in Atlanta made the Chick’s sound like the NFL dream team. Well the “dream team of media hype ” crashed and burned Sunday.
September 10th, 2024 at 8:34 am
Hey Joe. Slow your roll! It is one game, we played a very poor D, and the dirty birds played a good D. ATL have plenty of talent
Let’s wait till after we play them in the Thursday nighter, week 5 to determine who are contenders/pretenders.
Cmp Att Yds TD Int Sk Yds Lng Rate
Kirk Cousins 16 26 155 1 2 2 18 20 59.0
Very poor numbers. It is obvious that Cousins was very tentative, and that is always a risk when you return from a very serious injury. Cousins coming back from injury, new team, new offence. Falcons have plenty of weapons.
…Remember TB12 the GOAT’s first game with the Bucs against the Saints…
September 10th, 2024 at 4:40 pm
Hey Captain Canuck,
Remember when Brady came down here he got all those guys that were getting used to their walkers. Hahaha 🤣 Go Bucs!!!!