Cowboys at Falcons game preview: What to watch for
By Tyrone Starr
After a big win last week against Philadelphia, the Dallas Cowboys cannot afford a let down this week or else 2018 will effectively be over.
Last week, the Dallas Cowboys faced a “must win” situation in Philadelphia and got the job done. Today, it’s another “must win” in a new city. Such is life when you back yourself into a corner after losing three games you absolutely should have won.
Welcome to Atlanta. New week, new bird, same desperation. Here are the Dallas Cowboys, winners over the Eagles last week, taking on the Falcons this weekend. Last year, 359 days ago to be exact, the Cowboys were in this same building, 5-4 instead of 4-5, when everything fell apart.
Everyone will remember that showdown as the Chaz Green game. Quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked eight times. Dallas, after taking a 7-0 lead, never scored again and lost 27-7. That game was effectively the end of their season in 2017. This year, another loss will symbolize the “end” of 2018.
This week started off with a little deja vu of the negative kind for the Dallas Cowboys as left tackle Tyron Smith experienced back spasms on Wednesday. Thankfully for the Cowboys, Smith has since progressed positively and no longer appears on the injury report.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the defensive line. Taco Charlton, David Irving and Daniel Ross are all out. Antwaun Woods is doubtful as he is still in concussion protocol. That’s especially bad news when you’re facing an opponent as explosive as Atlanta.
Quarterback Matt Ryan is having a phenomenal year. Already over 3,000 passing yards, his 21 touchdowns with just three interceptions is quite impressive. Ryan ranks fourth in yards and passer rating.
That type of play is saving the Falcons as they are getting next to nothing out of their pathetic run game. Only the Giants and Cardinals have more anemic rushing attacks. Dallas’ decimation along the defensive line may make things more easy for Atlanta on the ground but I doubt they will overreach to exploit the interior issues.
The Falcons like to throw and throw they shall. The Cowboys improved pass defense will face possibly their stiffest test to date. Obviously with Ryan having such a good year, his receivers aren’t disappointing either.
Julio Jones leads the league in receiving yards. Calvin Ridley is tied for fifth in the league with seven touchdowns. Tight end Austin Hooper ranks fourth amongst his position group in receptions with 46. If the Cowboys are to be successful today, their pass defense will need to answer the bell.
One intriguing idea would be use bracket coverage on Jones with cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and safety Xavier Woods pulling that duty. That would allow for cornerback Byron Jones to follow Ridley all over the field in an effort to slow down the hot rookie receiver.
Either of the dynamic linebacker of duo of Leighton Vander Esch or Jaylon Smith should effectively be able to mute Hooper’s output in this scenario. This would leave what’s left of the depleted defensive line to show up and show out. You can get to Ryan as he has been sacked 24 times. Pass rusher extraordinaire DeMarcus Lawrence needs to make his money this week and harass Ryan all day long.
On offense, the Cowboys must continue the same play they showed last week against Philadelphia. For them to have any chance, running back Ezekiel Elliott needs another big day.
Atlanta’s defense is missing some key parts as well and is not especially good. As a unit, they are 21st against the run, 30th against the pass and 29th in points allowed. Dallas cannot afford to regress today and will likely need at least 27 points to win. The Falcons have been held under 30 just once at home all season. The Cowboys will need to do just that to keep the rest of the season relevant.