In their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons faced a familiar sight of offensive struggle and quarterback deficiencies. The pressure on Kirk Cousins, the Falcons' new starting quarterback, has intensified due to questions about his health and the team's dependence on offensive formations. Despite hopes for Cousins to be the solution to the team's longstanding issues, his debut left much to be desired.

Cousins, who is returning from tearing his Achilles, understandably needed time to readjust to the speed of the game. However, his performance in the game raised concerns about his overall comfort and ability to perform at a high level. The Falcons' offense was constantly overwhelmed by the Steelers' defense, with Cousins' limitations becoming apparent as the game progressed.

One notable aspect of Cousins' debut was his lack of mobility and movement in the pocket. He seemed reluctant to take risks and instead opted for quick, short passes. There were only a few instances where he showed signs of assertiveness, such as his touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts. However, these moments were few and far between, leaving fans and critics questioning Cousins' confidence and decision-making.

Furthermore, Cousins' footwork and throwing mechanics raised additional concerns about his health. Dr. Jeff Mueller, a sports analyst, pointed out that Cousins failed to drive through his right foot when dropping back, resulting in passes with minimal velocity and accuracy. This was evident in his inability to make routine completions and connect with his top receivers.

The Falcons' offensive struggles were not solely attributed to Cousins, but also to the questionable decisions made by the coaching staff. The team primarily relied on shotgun and pistol formations, running 96% of their plays from those formations. This lack of personnel variance and the absence of play-action plays limited the offense's effectiveness and further fueled speculation about Cousins' health.

Moving forward, the Falcons must hope that Cousins can shake off the rust and regain his comfort in the pocket. With a challenging four-game stretch ahead, facing formidable defenses, the team needs their quarterback to be at his best. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will need to introduce new concepts and provide more variance in their game plan to maximize the team's productivity.

Improving the play-action game and designing plays to create openings across the middle of the field will be crucial for success. Cousins' struggles throwing outside the numbers and in tight windows emphasize the need for a more strategic approach. Utilizing bunch sets and pre-snap motion can help create open space and opportunities for big plays.

Ultimately, the onus is on Cousins and the coaching staff to prove that the opening game overreactions are unwarranted. It will require Cousins to regain confidence in his body and demonstrate that he can still be a high-level quarterback despite his age and past injuries. Only time will tell if Cousins can rise to the challenge and lead the Falcons to victory against top-tier teams.