The San Francisco 49ers did not get the job done in Super Bowl 58, but every team in the NFC is all too aware of their status in the conference.
Kirk Cousins will attempt to lead the Atlanta Falcons to prominence in the NFC after leaving the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
But Cousins knows the Niners, having played in four NFC Championship Games and made two Super Bowl appearances — including their overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in February — in the last five seasons, are the giant he and the Falcons will likely need to slay.
He said as much in an interview with ESPN at Masters, for which he sat beside 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle.
And Kittle had an amusing response to Cousins' comments about the Niners.
"Everybody's kind of looking up at the Niners right now in the NFC. So, if we're gonna go anywhere we've got to get through [George Kittle.]"
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 11, 2024
—Kirk Cousins and George Kittle join @LauraRutledge at #TheMasters. pic.twitter.com/bApunfctLQ
"Everybody's kind of looking up at the Niners right now in the NFC. If we're gonna go anywhere we've got to go through this guy and his group," said Cousins.
Kittle essentially basked in Cousins' praise, shrugging his shoulders in a physical expression of the extreme confidence that comes with being so consistent.
There will be plenty of teams queuing up to knock off the Niners and ensure they suffer a Super Bowl hangover. But, as the Niners have proved in continually responding to playoff disappointment, that is easier said than done.
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