Cousins Starts; Falcons Routed 34-10

A knee bone bruise ruled Michael Penix Jr. out and top receiver Drake London also missed Week 8 with a hip injury, so veteran Kirk Cousins started for the Atlanta Falcons with Easton Stick elevated as his backup. Cousins' return did not spark the offense as the Falcons were routed 34-10 by the Miami Dolphins; Tua Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes while Zach Wilson took mop-up reps late. The loss underscored Atlanta's ongoing quarterback quandary after signing Cousins last year and turning to rookie Penix this season, and further exposed an injury-plagued offense that has struggled to generate consistent passing production. The defeat increases pressure on playmakers including Bijan Robinson as the Falcons try to stabilize their identity.