CNN
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The Atlanta Falcons won their first game of the new NFL season literally until the last minute. Kirk Cousins ​​​​led a late drive to secure a 22-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Trailing by six points and with 1:39 minutes left on the clock, the experienced quarterback kept his nerve and sent the Falcons on a 70-yard drive, which he finished with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Drake London with 34 seconds left in the game.

Younghoe Koo then kicked the game-winning extra point after London received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Cousins ​​made only his second appearance for the Falcons after recovering from an ACL injury sustained while playing for the Minnesota Vikings in October.

The four-time Pro Bowler was brought in as a veteran because of his invaluable leadership qualities and – after a tough Week 1 performance in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers – the Falcons got exactly what they paid for with the game-winning drive.

Although he feels he did not put in his best performance, the 36-year-old now wants to use Monday’s victory as a catalyst for the season.

“I’m still not sharp enough. I didn’t feel like I was sharp enough today, not precise enough. I have to get better,” Cousins ​​said immediately after the game.

“But hopefully this last drive can give us a boost for next week and we can build on that.

“I’m happy with our result tonight, but there’s still a lot to improve.”

“Today he was on the field and played a key role in the most important moments and on the most important occasions,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Cousins ​​after the game.

“And those are the things you want to happen when you get a chance to go out and win. It was great to see that from Kirk Cousins.”

Cousins ​​finished the night completing 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns after also throwing a 41-yard touchdown to Darnell Mooney in the third quarter.

In fact, Cousins ​​was far from his best throughout the game and the Eagles had a chance to decide the game just before the end.

Eagles new running back Saquon Barkley dropped a pass late in the fourth quarter that proved to be crucial. The former Giants star botched an easy catch on a throw from Jalen Hurts, causing the Eagles to have to kick a field goal rather than run out the remaining time on the clock.

The dropped pass gave Cousins ​​and the Falcons a chance to advance to the other end – an opportunity the visitors did not waste.

After Atlanta’s last-minute drive to take the lead, in the final act of a dramatic game, Eagles quarterback Hurts’ pass was intercepted by Jessie Bates, leading to wild celebrations on the Falcons bench.

The Falcons (1-1) hope the win will give them new momentum when they host the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) on September 22nd.

Meanwhile, the Eagles (1-1) travel to New Orleans to play the red-hot Saints (2-0) on Sunday, while Philly tries to get back on track.