- Dan Orlovsky says the Falcons’ offense looked its best when running under‑center play action with Kirk Cousins.
- Cousins threw for 373 yards and three TDs (all to Kyle Pitts) in the 29-point effort vs. the Buccaneers.
- The Falcons ranked last in play‑action rate this season — a schematic choice Orlovsky questioned.
- Fans and analysts wonder why the under‑center approach wasn’t used earlier, especially with mixed results from Michael Penix Jr.
Orlovsky credits under‑center play action for offensive spark
ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky singled out the Falcons’ decision to run more under‑center play‑action with Kirk Cousins as the key reason for their offensive resurgence. In Atlanta’s 29‑point performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cousins completed a season‑best game, throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns — each caught by tight end Kyle Pitts.
Orlovsky called it the Falcons’ best offensive outing of the season and noted the clear difference in rhythm and efficiency when the offense operated from under center rather than predominantly from shotgun.
Game details: Cousins, Bijan Robinson shine
Kirk Cousins looked comfortable orchestrating the comeback, and Bijan Robinson contributed with 93 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. The Falcons also converted five of 11 third‑down attempts, their highest total in weeks, a sign the under‑center looks helped sustain drives.
The late shift paid dividends immediately: play‑action created space for Pitts and opened running lanes for Robinson, allowing Atlanta to move the ball more consistently than in recent weeks.
Coaching decisions under scrutiny
The wider debate centers on why offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and head coach Raheem Morris did not deploy the same under‑center play‑action package earlier in the season, particularly with rookie Michael Penix Jr. Some believe the staff lacked confidence in Penix’s ability to run that scheme, while others argue the approach simply was not emphasized.
Statistically, the Falcons entered Week 15 near the bottom of the league in play‑action usage and near the top in shotgun snaps. The sudden change to more under‑center reps with Cousins exposed a puzzling disconnect between personnel and play calling.
What this means for Atlanta moving forward
Orlovsky’s comments add pressure to an already tense end of Atlanta’s season. With the team having lost several games by narrow margins and a coaching carousel looming, the final three regular‑season games become an audition for scheme flexibility and staff accountability.
If the team is serious about maximizing talent — from Cousins’ veteran command to Pitts’ matchup advantages and Robinson’s rushing ability — the recent success with under‑center play‑action suggests it should be a regular part of the game plan. Whether Atlanta’s staff will commit to it before offseason decisions are made remains an open question.
Bottom line
Dan Orlovsky’s take echoed what many Falcons fans have been saying: the offense looks markedly better when it can run under‑center play‑action. The late switch produced immediate results — now the focus turns to whether the coaching staff will make it a lasting identity or leave a promising formula underused.
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