The Dallas Atlanta Falcons game always feels like more than just a date on the calendar. It's one of those weird NFC pairings where history and current desperation usually collide in a messy, entertaining way. If you were watching the most recent regular-season clash on November 3, 2024, you saw exactly that—a 27-21 Falcons victory that basically acted as a mirror for both franchises. One team was finding its identity; the other was watching its season slowly unravel in the Georgia humidity.
Honestly, the narrative around this matchup is often skewed by the "America's Team" hype. People expect Dallas to roll because of the star power, but Atlanta has become a legitimate thorn in their side.
Why the Recent Scoreboard Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Atlanta walked away with a six-point win in that Week 9 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the vibes were way more lopsided than the score suggests. Kirk Cousins was basically clinical. He tossed three touchdowns, including a 36-yard beauty to Darnell Mooney that felt like a dagger even though it happened in the second quarter.
Mooney actually broke his personal single-season touchdown record during that game. It's funny how those small milestones happen in the middle of a slugfest. Meanwhile, Bijan Robinson was doing Bijan things, racking up a career-best 26 touches for 145 total yards. He didn't just run; he frustrated a Dallas defense that looked gassed by the third quarter.
On the Dallas side, things were... grim. Dak Prescott kept them in it early, but a hamstring injury eventually forced him out, leaving Cooper Rush to try and engineer a comeback that never quite materialized.
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The Sack Stat That Shocked Everyone
Heading into that November game, the Falcons' pass rush was a bit of a joke. They had the fewest sacks in the NFL—literally only six through eight games. Then the Dallas Atlanta Falcons game happened, and suddenly Grady Jarrett and Arnold Ebiketie looked like All-Pros. They notched three sacks on the day, which sounds small, but for that 2024 Falcons unit, it was a season-high breakthrough.
The Preseason "Joe Milton" Show
Fast forward to August 22, 2025. Yeah, it was just preseason, but the energy at AT&T Stadium was surprisingly high for a game where the starters were basically wearing bucket hats on the sideline. Dallas took that one 31-13, and it was the Joe Milton III show.
If you haven't been following the QB depth chart, Milton—the guy with the literal cannon for an arm—showed he’s more than just a human highlight reel. He ran for a touchdown and threw for another, finishing with a 97.5 passer rating. It was the kind of performance that makes coaches lose sleep over roster cuts.
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- Final Score: Cowboys 31, Falcons 13 (Preseason Finale)
- Key Rookie: Jaydon Blue (Cowboys RB) scored his first NFL touchdown but sadly left with an ankle injury.
- The Aubrey Factor: Brandon Aubrey casually nailed a 64-yard field goal as the first half ended. It looked like it would’ve been good from 70. The guy isn't human.
What Really Happened With the Defense?
Most fans focus on the quarterbacks, but the real story of the Dallas Atlanta Falcons game history is usually told in the trenches. Dallas holds the all-time edge with 22 wins to Atlanta’s 13, but that gap is closing.
In the 2025 preseason meeting, the Cowboys' defense was opportunistic. They picked off five passes. Five! Robert Rochell and Shemar James were everywhere. It’s a stark contrast to the regular-season meeting in 2024 where the Cowboys couldn't get off the field on third down.
Atlanta’s offense in that preseason game was led by Easton Stick, and it was rough. He threw a late interception to Shemar James that basically iced the game. Even though the Falcons outgained Dallas in total yardage (332 to 285), they couldn't finish drives. That's been the recurring theme for Atlanta against Dallas lately—lots of "almost" moments.
Comparing the Recent Eras
- The Physicality: Dallas usually tries to bully the Falcons with their defensive front (think Micah Parsons, though he was "disinterested" in the 2025 preseason).
- The Speed: Atlanta relies on explosive playmakers like Robinson and Drake London (who unfortunately suffered a hip injury in the 2024 game).
- The Kicking: You’ve got Younghoe Koo vs. Brandon Aubrey. It’s arguably the best kicking matchup in the league. Koo missed a 51-yarder in 2025, which is rare for him, but Aubrey just doesn't seem to miss at all.
The Strategy Nobody Talks About
Raheem Morris and Brian Schottenheimer (the Cowboys' play-caller) have a weird chess match going on. In the 2024 regular season, Morris used Bijan Robinson as a decoy just as much as a runner. It pulled the Dallas linebackers out of position, opening up those intermediate lanes for Ray-Ray McCloud and Mooney.
Dallas, on the other hand, has become increasingly reliant on the "hero ball" from their QB or a massive play from CeeDee Lamb. When Kaden Elliss stuffed Lamb for a 3-yard loss on a crucial fourth-down attempt in 2024, it proved that Atlanta finally had the discipline to stay home and play the scheme rather than just chasing the star.
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Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on or just analyzing the next time these two meet, keep an eye on these specific factors:
- Check the Injury Report for the O-Line: In the 2024 game, the Cowboys' offensive line was a sieve. If they aren't healthy, Atlanta’s lackluster pass rush suddenly looks elite.
- The 60-Yard Window: If the game is at AT&T Stadium, Brandon Aubrey is a scoring threat the moment Dallas crosses the 50-yard line. It changes how Atlanta has to play defense.
- The "Bijan" Workload: Watch the first quarter. If Atlanta gives Robinson 8+ touches in the first 15 minutes, they are trying to wear down the Dallas interior.
The Dallas Atlanta Falcons game is no longer a guaranteed win for the star on the helmet. Atlanta has found a way to make it a dogfight. Whether it’s a meaningful November game or a late-August roster battle, the margin for error has become razor-thin.
Watch the tape from the November 2024 game again. You'll see a Falcons team that finally stopped playing scared. That's the blueprint for the future of this rivalry.