Raheem Morris explained after the game the Falcons "accommodated" Cousins by utilizing more play-action and under-center looks. So, yes, the Cousins wrinkles were obvious. But it was what Cousins did — or rather, didn't do — within those wrinkles that mattered. Cousins didn't get in the way of the game. He wasn't a wrinkle that caused ripple effects throughout four quarters.
And when you have a defense playing as well as Atlanta's did in that game, that's all the Falcons needed him to do.
In the postgame locker room, Morris gave out the first game balls he's been able to since Week 6. He — of course — welcomed back inside linebacker Divine Deablo to the defense after his stint on injured reserve. He told kick Zane Gonzalez the team "had been waiting on this all year," referring to his two made field goals beyond 50 yards in the win. Before he did any of that, though, he said two words and tossed a game ball towards Cousins.
"Our quarterback," Morris said as the ball flew through the muggy locker room air into Cousins' waiting arms.
And that's what Cousins is for the time being. Regardless of how Atlanta has gotten here, it's Cousins who's leading the organization through the end of 2025. What that means for the future is anyone's guess, but it was the right start. Clean, efficient and didn't get in the way.