Kirk Cousins honored after record-setting performance in Week 5

Prior to Week 5, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins looked a bit rusty in his first few games as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. In his first four starts for the Falcons this season, Cousins had only thrown for 864 yards (216 average), four touchdowns, and four interceptions, which amounted to an underwhelming 83.5 passer rating.

But then Atlanta hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Week 5 matchup last Thursday night, and Cousins put together one of the best single-game performances of his NFL career.

Thanks to the former Vikings quarterback throwing for a career-high 509 yards, four touchdowns, and only one interception, the Falcons were able to emerge from their game against the Bucs with a 36-30 win in overtime.

Former Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins honored after impressive Week 5 performance with the Atlanta Falcons

Following an outstanding start to the season, Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for what he was able to do in September. So far, in October, Cousins seems to be in the early lead for that award, as he was named the latest NFC Offensive Player of the Week by the league on Wednesday.

For Cousins, this was the eighth Player of the Week award that he's received since entering the NFL in 2012. Prior to Wednesday, he won his most recent Player of the Week award back in Week 15 of the 2022 season when he threw for 460 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions to help the Vikings erase a 33-point deficit and defeat the Indianapolis Colts 39-36 in overtime.

With their win over Tampa Bay last Thursday, Cousins and Atlanta improved their record to 3-2 this season. On deck for the Falcons and the veteran quarterback is another NFC South matchup against the 1-4 Carolina Panthers, who currently rank 31st in the NFL in net yards per pass allowed.

In true Kirktober fashion, Cousins has a great chance put together another impressive performance when Atlanta takes on the Panthers in Week 6.

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