ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons had big plans for their offense when they decided to invest heavily in quarterback Kirk Cousins and add new coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
The widespread belief was they only needed an established quarterback and a fresh game plan to utilize the playmakers added in the first rounds of recent drafts — tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson.
Entering Thursday night's visit from NFC South leader Tampa Bay (3-1), the Atlanta offense has yet to find its momentum. The Falcons (2-2) have shown flashes of promise as Cousins has led two game-winning drives, but the veteran hasn't matched the production of Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield that has led the Buccaneers to the top of the division.
The most recent evidence of mixed results came Sunday in the Falcons' 26-24 win over New Orleans. Atlanta won despite not scoring an offensive touchdown, while Pitts was held without a catch and Bijan Robinson ran for only 28 yards.
Morris said he'll take the win and let others fret about the numbers.
“Really for me, stats are for losers,” Morris said after the game.
Morris and Robinson acknowledge improvement must come and the offense can't always rely on the defense and special teams to produce the points.
“Have we reached our peak of what you want to play and how you can be best?” Morris asked on Monday. "No. But I think that’s a part of what the season is. I think that’s a part of steady improvement, steady growth, and I love that about our football team. I think we know that, I think they know that, and I think we’re really comfortable being able to go out there and win football games however we can.”
Mayfield threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score in Sunday's 33-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mayfield has passed for eight touchdowns with two interceptions. Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal as a free agent, has four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Wide receiver Mike Evans became the Buccaneers’ career scoring leader last week. Evans is only one part in a passing game that also features wide receiver Chris Godwin and then promoted Sterling Shepard from the practice squad as another option for Mayfield.
“I think that it really makes it difficult for the defense,” Godwin said. “It’s one thing when a guy is going off because you feed the hot hand, right? But if we’re able to spread the ball around that much, everybody gets involved. ... You can mix in your quick game, your deep passing game, play actions, screens."
The Bucs have won the past three NFC South titles. This is their fourth 3-1 start in the past five years. They’ve also been successful against Atlanta lately, winning six of the past eight meetings between the division rivals, outscoring the Falcons by 51 points in those games.
The Falcons committed nine penalties for 76 yards on Sunday and already have 30 penalties for the season.
“We can’t have those,” Zac Robinson said Tuesday. “There’s certain situations we’re trying to avoid, and obviously it’s at the discretion of the refs to call those. And you got to just keep playing, and so those have been tough.”
Mayfield is off to a solid start after resurrecting a stalled career in 2023 and signing a three-year, $100 million contract to remain in Tampa Bay.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 draft is coming off throwing for 347 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in last Sunday’s 33-16 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles. He also ran for a TD.
He enters Thursday night with a 106.9 passer rating that ranks fourth in the NFL. He’s second in TD passes (eight) and fourth in passing yards (984).
Zac Robinson says more offensive consistency is close because “there’s been games where we’ve executed really well."
"We’re trying to find that mix to where we know we’re close to getting over the hump with some things, and guys are just — they’re eager,” Robinson said. “They want to be the most explosive offense and the best offense in the NFL."
Godwin attributes some of Mayfield’s success to the comfort level that comes with being with the same team for a second season.
“And yes, this is our first year in this offensive system, but it’s his second year with this group of guys and I think the camaraderie that we built last year really helped,” Godwin said.
“I think the adversity that we faced when we all stuck together — I think (that) really helps this year,” Godwin added. “I think it’s just a natural maturation process, just for him as a player.”
___
AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall contributed to this report.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl