Football is a game of inches, but honestly, the cowboys atlanta falcons game felt more like a game of missed opportunities and medical carts. If you watched the Week 9 matchup between Dallas and Atlanta, you saw two teams moving in completely opposite directions. The Falcons looked like a squad that finally figured out their identity under Kirk Cousins, while the Cowboys looked like a team that left its soul somewhere back in 2023.
By the time the clock hit zero and the scoreboard read 27-21 in favor of the Falcons, the narrative wasn't just about a loss. It was about the potential end of a season.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Look, you've probably heard the news by now, but the biggest story from the cowboys atlanta falcons game wasn't even the final score. It was Dak Prescott’s hamstring. It happened late in the third quarter. One minute he’s throwing a 10-yard pass to Jalen Brooks, and the next, he’s grimacing and looking at his hand.
Wait, his hand? Yeah, there was this weird moment where his right hand was red and swollen. But the real killer was the hamstring "pull" he felt. He said it was something he’d never felt before. That’s scary talk for a franchise quarterback. When Cooper Rush stepped in, the vibe in Mercedes-Benz Stadium shifted. It went from "can Dallas come back?" to "is this season over?"
Cooper Rush actually did okay. He went 13-of-25 for 115 yards and a late touchdown to Jalen Tolbert. But let’s be real. Rush is a great backup, but he’s not the guy who carries a struggling roster through the gauntlet of the NFC.
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Cousins vs. The Dallas Defense
Kirk Cousins was surgical. 19-of-24 for 222 yards and three touchdowns. He had a 144.8 passer rating! Basically, he played like a man who was having a light Sunday afternoon catch in the park.
The Falcons offense just had more juice. Darnell Mooney caught a 36-yard bomb that made the Dallas secondary look like they were playing in slow motion. Ray-Ray McCloud and Drake London also snagged touchdowns before London had to exit with a hip injury. It felt like every time Atlanta needed a play, Cousins found a window.
Meanwhile, Mike Zimmer's defense in Dallas is struggling to find its teeth. They got some pressure—Carl Lawson had a strip-sack—but they couldn't get off the field on third downs.
Why the Cowboys Atlanta Falcons Game Was a Coaching Nightmare
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There was a fake punt in the third quarter that just... didn't work. Bryan Anger tried to throw a pass to C.J. Goodwin, and it fell incomplete. Giving the Falcons a short field is basically asking for a loss. Then there was a fourth-and-1 where they gave the ball to CeeDee Lamb on an end-around. Kaden Elliss, who was absolutely everywhere for the Falcons with 13 tackles, blew that play up for a 3-yard loss.
Dallas was 3-of-13 on third downs.
They were 1-of-5 on fourth downs.
You can't win in the NFL with those numbers. Honestly, it's a miracle it was a one-score game at the end. Rico Dowdle was a bright spot, though. He had 107 total yards and a touchdown that involved him catching a ball he’d basically fumbled to himself in the air. High drama, but not enough to save the day.
Bijan Robinson is a Problem
If you’re a fantasy manager, you’re loving Bijan Robinson right now. He had 145 total yards on 26 touches. The Cowboys' run defense knew he was coming, and they still couldn't stop him. He was slicing through the line, making guys miss in the secondary, and just being a general nuisance.
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Atlanta is 6-3 now. They’re sitting pretty at the top of the NFC South. They look like a playoff team.
Dallas? They’re 3-5. They’ve lost three in a row. Their quarterback is headed for an MRI. The road ahead includes the Eagles and the Commanders. It's getting late early in Arlington.
Surprising Stats from the Matchup
- Dak’s Legs: Before the injury, Prescott actually ran for 30 yards. That was a season-high. Maybe that’s what did the hamstring in?
- The Sack Gap: Atlanta had the fewest sacks in the league (only 6) entering this game. They got to Prescott and Rush 3 times.
- CeeDee’s Grit: Lamb was playing through a shoulder injury and still managed 8 catches for 47 yards and a two-point conversion. The guy is a warrior, but he can't do it alone.
The Real Outlook
The cowboys atlanta falcons game showed us the ceiling of one team and the floor of another. Atlanta is becoming a legitimate threat in the NFC. Kirk Cousins has a rapport with his receivers that looks natural and dangerous.
For Dallas, the "all-in" mantra from the offseason is looking more like "all-out." If Dak misses significant time, the 2024 season might turn into a scouting mission for 2025.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Monitor the MRI: Keep a close eye on the reports coming out of Frisco regarding Dak's hamstring. A Grade 2 strain usually means 3-6 weeks out.
- Falcons Stock: Atlanta's defense is improving. If they can keep this pass rush alive, they aren't just division winners; they're a threat for a deep run.
- Rico Dowdle's Role: He has clearly won the RB1 job over Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. He’s the only consistent part of the Dallas ground game right now.
Keep an eye on the injury reports this Wednesday to see if CeeDee Lamb’s shoulder or Dak’s hamstring limits their practice participation ahead of the Eagles game.