This Kirk Cousins stat from Week 1 should have Eagles pass rushers salivating

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In his first NFL action since suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, Kirk Cousins, now the starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, was essentially a sitting duck against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.

The Falcons were held scoreless in the second half, and Cousins, operating exclusively out of the shotgun or pistol formation and visibly not moving well, was pressured 12 times in a game he finished with just 155 passing yards, two sacks and a pair of interceptions.

T.J. Watt and the Steelers were licking their chops throughout last week’s 18-10 win in Atlanta. Philadelphia Eagles pass rushers should be doing the same entering Monday night’s home opener against Cousins and the Falcons at the Linc.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Falcons lined up in the pistol or shotgun on 96% of their snaps in Week 1. Of their 22 snaps out of the shotgun, the Falcons had zero designed runs. Of their 26 snaps out of the pistol, the Falcons ran the ball on 81% of their plays.

Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will surely work to counteract those tendencies against the Eagles, but without any true threat of play-action from under center, what’s stopping Zack Baun, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham and the rest of Philly’s front seven from pinning their ears back?

If Cousins continues to take snaps out of the shotgun in this stance, Vic Fangio and the Eagles defense could be in for a field day:

The Eagles need more from their pass rush. Baun starred in a Week 1 hybrid role, moving around from inside backer to EDGE while racking up four QB pressures and a pair of sacks against the Green Bay Packers. Philly rotated fresh bodies on the EDGE, but guys they’re counting on like Bryce Huff and Nolan Smith were invisible in Week 1.

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With Cousins moving like his cleats are buried in sand, Monday night is an opportunity for the Eagles’ front seven to make a statement.