5 Games that could define Kirk Cousins' 2024 Atlanta Falcons

2. Minnesota Vikings

Atlanta cannot lose to Minnesota for a second straight season. Aside from the blowout loss to New Orleans in the final week of the season that was the low point for Atlanta. You get beaten badly by Josh Dobbs who didn't know the offense or many of his teammates. He was playing backyard football and you lost a game you had no business losing.

Kirk Cousins has changed sidelines and Minnesota will be starting Sam Darnold or a rookie quarterback. The attention that this game will get in Cousins return makes it a must-win.

You cannot go on the road to Minnesota and lose due to the optics of the situation. Atlanta needs a big Kirk Cousins game to prove that they were the franchise that made the right decision. Aside from the quarterback side of this you can circle this one as a "must-win".

Atlanta's schedule is still one of the better draws in the league but is tougher than they had in 2022 0r 2023. They will be playing the Cowboys, Eagles, Chiefs, and Chargers. All teams with high playoff expectations with franchise quarterbacks.