Kirk Cousins has been one of the NFL’s most consistently productive quarterbacks for over a decade, with stops in Washington and Minnesota before taking over in Atlanta. Known for his sharp accuracy, clean footwork, and durability, Cousins has racked up passing yards and touchdowns year after year. But when it comes to judging quarterbacks, especially veterans, fans and analysts often return to one question: how does he fare against winning teams?
This article breaks down Cousins’ regular-season record against teams that finished the year at .500 or better—what we define at SportsAndFitnessDigest.com as “winning teams.” This helps eliminate the noise of early-season standings and focuses instead on performance against opponents who proved strong over the full season.
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Kirk Cousins’ Record vs Winning Teams
Through the end of the 2024 regular season, Kirk Cousins holds a record of 23–38 (.377) in regular-season games against teams that finished the season .500 or better.
This includes only games where:
- Cousins was the starting quarterback
- The opponent finished the season with a .500 or better record
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Season | Record | Notable Wins | Notable Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1–4 | Eagles | Panthers, Patriots |
| 2016 | 2–3 | Packers, Eagles | Steelers, Cowboys |
| 2017 | 3–3 | Rams, Seahawks, 49ers | Vikings, Saints |
| 2018 | 2–4 | Eagles, Packers | Bears, Patriots, Saints |
| 2019 | 2–4 | Eagles, Cowboys | Packers, Seahawks |
| 2020 | 2–5 | Bears, Lions | Seahawks, Saints, Bucs |
| 2021 | 2–5 | Chargers, Packers | Rams, 49ers |
| 2022 | 3–4 | Bills, Patriots, Dolphins | Cowboys, Eagles |
| 2023 | 2–3 | 49ers, Saints | Eagles, Chiefs |
| 2024 | 4–3 | Eagles, Colts, Buccaneers, Bears | Ravens, Texans, Saints |
Career Total: 23 Wins – 38 Losses (.377)
Visual Breakdown
What Do These Numbers Really Mean?
There’s always context behind the numbers. Cousins has had years where he kept his teams competitive against top competition—like 2022 and 2024—but also seasons where the wins didn’t materialize. Some of that was out of his hands: shaky defenses, coaching changes, or key injuries in the trenches.
Still, the trend is clear. When facing playoff-caliber teams, Cousins has more often struggled than succeeded. That doesn’t mean he can’t deliver big moments—he’s had comeback wins against teams like the Bills and 49ers—but sustaining that level consistently is what separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
Cousins Compared to Other QBs
Here’s how Cousins stacks up against his peers in this same stat:
- Patrick Mahomes: 41–20 (.672)
- Dak Prescott: 19–38 (.333)
- Josh Allen (estimated): ~.550
- Joe Burrow (estimated): ~.600+
- Aaron Rodgers (recent years): just below .500
Cousins lands somewhere in the middle of the pack—better than some, but not quite on the elite tier when it comes to beating winning teams. The full leaderboard is available here: Active NFL QB Records vs Winning Teams
A Look at the 2024 Season
Cousins showed impressive command in his first season with the Atlanta Falcons before going down with an injury late. He went 4–3 against winning teams, including a signature comeback win over the Eagles. His play helped keep Atlanta in the playoff picture despite a lackluster defense.
It’s one of the stronger seasons of his career in this metric, and it reflects how the right system and personnel can help Cousins thrive. That said, fans are still waiting to see him consistently lead a team deep into the postseason.
External References
- Kirk Cousins Career Game Log – Pro Football Reference
- Falcons 2024 Stats – ESPN
- PFF Grades and Insights
Final Thoughts
Kirk Cousins’ 23–38 record against winning teams paints a realistic picture of a quarterback who performs well statistically but has faced challenges delivering consistent results against top-tier competition.
He’s not alone in that boat. Many starting quarterbacks have similar struggles when you strip out wins over weaker teams. But for Cousins, this stat remains a hurdle in how he’s viewed.
Heading into the later years of his career, Cousins still has time to rewrite the narrative. He’s proven he can win shootouts, he’s durable (when healthy), and he’s respected in the locker room. Whether he can string together a run of wins against the NFL’s best remains the key question.
