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Dallas Cowboys: 3 Keys to beating the Atlanta Falcons

By Adithya Prabakaran

Nov 7, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) gestures after throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) gestures after throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys will host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The stakes couldn’t be higher for either team. Dallas is coming off an uncharacteristic loss against the Denver Broncos where they allowed over 200 yards rushing. Atlanta is coming off a win against the New Orleans Saints planting them in the NFC’s seventh seed at 4-4.

Both these teams have had some intense battles the last few years. Dallas fans want to forget the Adrian Clayborn sack party of 2017, Atlanta fans want to forget the field goal fest of 2018 and last season’s watermelon onside kick that blew another double-digit lead in their favorite team’s history. The past half-decade has provided some memorable moments for everyone.

If there didn’t need to be any more stakes added to Sunday’s match, Dallas Cowboys’ DC Dan Quinn will be playing against his former team. Fortunately for him, he gets to compete against his former team at home as opposed to on the road against a fanbase that’s often far too hostile when describing his tenure as their coach.

However, with Quinn’s departure from Atlanta, the team has also changed quite a bit. The Cowboys won’t have to worry about long-time All-Pro Julio Jones on the other side; instead, they’ll now have to worry about the Florida Gator who replaced the Crimson Tide receiver in TE Kyle Pitts. Pitts is another freak of nature displaying rare athletic ability for his stature and the ability to line up seemingly everywhere perfect for Arthur Smith’s heavy personnel, vertical passing game offense.

The Falcons are still without Calvin Ridley as he momentarily had to step away from the game, but his absense has given Cordarelle Patterson greater opportunity to be a part of this offense and he hasn’t shied away from that opportunity. The Falcons have unorthodox players filling in at unconventional positions causing matchup problems for teams like the Saints and Cowboys who are accustomed to playing or showing a lot of man coverage looks.

It goes without saying, Matt Ryan has been phenomenal lately. Last season, his arm strength looked like it was diminishing and his mobility started deteriorating. A year later in Arthur Smith’s offense and he’s found his touch again and consistently shows the great pocket presence and footwork we’re accustomed to seeing.

How do the Dallas Cowboys go about beating a hot Atlanta Falcons team?

Let’s dig in, shall we?

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