A pair of NFC teams trending in opposite directions will meet in Atlanta on Sunday, when the Falcons host the Dallas Cowboys.
Atlanta (5-3) is arguably at its highest point as a franchise since 2017, which was the last year the Falcons had a winning season and appeared in the postseason. The Falcons have won four of their last five games, with each victory coming against NFC South divisional opponents.
If Atlanta has struggled to do one thing this season, it’s win at home. The Falcons have won all three of their road games but are 2-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the setting for Sunday afternoon’s game.
Atlanta will host Dallas for the first time in six seasons with a chance to extend its best start since beginning 6-3 in 2016 — the year the Falcons won the NFC.
So far, Atlanta can point to its offensive firepower as a reason for its success. Under a new-look offense, the Falcons’ 24.3 points per game have jumped from last year’s 18.9. Atlanta has eclipsed the 30-point total in three games this year, a mark it failed to meet a single time in 2023.
First-year head coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins have brought excitement back to an Atlanta franchise that was badly in need of a shot in the arm. Cousins’ 2,106 passing yards rank third in the NFL and his 14 touchdowns through the air are tied for fifth.
Cousins has shown an ability to spread the wealth, as the Falcons have five players with at least 29 receptions, with Drake London leading the way at 48.
“With the amount of playmakers we have, when you talk about Drake, (Darnell) Mooney, Bijan (Robinson), Tyler (Allgeier), (Kyle) Pitts, you think at the end of the game, somebody’s not going to be happy,” Morris said. “But what’s been happening is the ball has been moving around really nicely of late. I’m really inspired by our style of play and it all starts with our quarterback.”
It’s a different story in Dallas.
The Cowboys (3-4) have dropped two in a row and are 2 1/2 games behind the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders. The first of those two losses was a 47-9 drubbing at home to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 13.
The Cowboys, in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, have struggled mightily under first-year defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. They allow the second-most points in the league (28.3 per game) and the most rushing yards (154.6, tied with the Carolina Panthers).
The problems extend to the offensive side of the ball for Dallas, as the 74.1 rushing yards per game rank last, as well.
Sunday’s 30-24 loss at San Francisco marked quarterback Dak Prescott’s third straight two-interception game and fourth this season. The turnover battle has been unkind to Dallas, and it’s an area head coach Mike McCarthy vows to right.
“Every series on offense needs to end in a kick, whether it’s a field goal, an extra point or a punt,” McCarthy said. “We cannot, and will not, continue to play with the giveaways. We’re minus-eight right now (in the turnover margin) as a football team. That’s the No. 1 focal point of a complementary team. … I’m about winning. Everybody’s got a job to do and it’s to win.”
On the injury front, Atlanta offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom (knee) and defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday, while linebackers Troy Andersen (knee) and Kaden Elliss (knee) were limited. Safety Justin Simmons (hamstring) and center Drew Dalman (ankle) were also limited.
For Dallas, star linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) has been out the last three weeks and didn’t practice Wednesday. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (calf) also missed practice, but the team did activate corner DaRon Bland (foot) from the IR. Bland led the NFL with nine interceptions last season and set an NFL record with five pick-sixes. Bland hasn’t played this year due to a stress fracture suffered in training camp.
