In a game where neither team seemed eager to win, the Los Angeles Chargers used their defense, especially rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still, to hand Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons their third straight loss.
Still returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown, his second pick of the game and one of four interceptions thrown by Cousins. The Chargers (8-4) had several issues, including allowing five sacks to a team that had the fewest in the NFL. They also fumbled in their own territory, which led to Atlanta’s only touchdown. There was also a failed fake punt and a mostly ineffective offense that only managed two first downs in the second half.
Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh was happy with the result.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” he said. “We’re witnessing complementary, winning football.”
Still, a fifth-round pick from Maryland, made Cousins look like a rookie late in the third quarter, when the Falcons faced a fourth-and-5 at the Los Angeles 40-yard line. Still read the play perfectly, stepping in front of Darnell Mooney and sprinting down the sideline for a touchdown that put the Chargers ahead for good.
Still now has three interceptions in his first season as a pro.
“The thing that impresses me the most is how locked in he is for a young player,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, they can get a little drift in their preparation as the season goes on. But he has been locked in.”
Still had another interception on the first play of the second quarter, signaling more trouble for Cousins in what was a poor performance. This could raise questions about whether the Falcons should consider turning to their first-round pick, Michael Penix Jr.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris made it clear that a quarterback change is not being considered.
“We’ve got no issues with that man,” he said of Cousins. “I don’t think that’s gonna be the issue around here. That guy’s carried us. That guy’s got us to the point. We’re 6-6 and first place in the division. We’ve still got everything in front of us.”
Atlanta’s last two possessions ended with Cousins’ interceptions when a touchdown could have tied the game. It was only the second four-pick game of his career. The first came when he was with Washington in 2014.
One of the interceptions came on a bad throw in the back of the end zone, which was grabbed by Marcus Maye, who had just joined the Chargers. Cousins put both hands to his helmet in disbelief.
In the Falcons’ final drive, Cousins threw a pass over the middle that was picked off by Derwin James Jr. with 40 seconds left at the Los Angeles 24-yard line.
“I’ve got to play better,” Cousins said. “I’m so disappointed right now. It hurts. I feel like that was a game we had a chance to win if I played at the standard I expect to.”
Despite nearly doubling the Chargers in total yards (350 to 187), Atlanta couldn’t win. Justin Herbert threw for only 147 yards, and the Chargers were held to just 56 rushing yards without their top running back, J.K. Dobbins.
The only points from the Los Angeles offense came from three field goals by Cameron Dicker.
“Obviously not the way that we want to play,” Herbert said. “We won because of the defense today. We’ve got to do a better job as an offense.”
Cousins finished 24 of 39 for 245 yards. Younghoe Koo kicked two field goals but also missed a 35-yard attempt after dealing with hip issues during the week.