Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Watch: Turnover bug keeps biting Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 1, 2024 3:07 PM ET

Typically, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins isn't interception-prone, but the Los Angeles Chargers' elite passing defense keeps foiling him in Sunday's home matchup.

On a 4th-and-5 at L.A.'s 40-yard line late in the third quarter, Cousins threw the ball before Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney finished running his route. Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still stepped in front of Mooney, intercepting Cousins and scoring a 61-yard TD.

TARHEEB STILL @CHARGERS PICK-6.

: #LACvsATL on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/T3CodECkpD
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

The pick-six gave the Chargers a 17-10 lead. (QB Justin Herbert and wide receiver Joshua Palmer connected on a two-point conversion.) It also marked Still's second interception.

Entering this matchup, Cousins had only thrown two or more interceptions in a game twice, but it shouldn't be surprising he's struggling against the Chargers' ninth-ranked pass defense (203.9 YPG).

Regardless, the Falcons need Cousins to stop throwing boneheaded picks. Atlanta (6-5) is in a tight NFC South race with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6).

Cousins must thrive down the stretch to help the Falcons capture their first division title since 2016.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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