Cowboys beat Falcons: 3 whose stock is on the rise

Following the Dallas Cowboys win over Atlanta, here are three players whose stock is rising

The Dallas Cowboys snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat on Sunday, somehow finding a way to defeat the Atlanta Falcons, 40-39, on a last-second field goal. Down 20-0 after only the first quarter, the Cowboys battled back and the win gives them a record of 1-1.

Several players rallied to help the Cowboys get head coach Mike McCarthy’s first victory in Dallas. Here are three players (and a bonus) whose stock is rising following the come-from-behind win.

Dalton Schultz, TE

Pressed into an important role in Week One due to a season-ending injury suffered by starting tight end Blake Jarwin, former fourth-rounder Dalton Schultz struggle with drops against the Los Angeles Rams in Week One. That was a disappointment following his stellar showing in training camp.

But Schultz had a strong bounce-back performance against Atlanta in Week Two. Posting a career-high nine catches for 88 yards and his first NFL touchdown, the third-year tight end has proven he’s fully capable of filling Jarwin’s shoes as the starter moving forward.

Greg Zuerlein, K

After posting one of his worst seasons as a professional in 2019 due to injury, the signing of Greg Zuerlein in Dallas came with some concerns. Especially since the Cowboys had just re-signed Kai Forbath who ended last season a perfect 10 for 10 on field-goal attempts.

But the Cowboys made Zuerlein the starter when they parted ways with Forbath in early August, and The Leg has lived up to the hype. His onsides Watermelon Kick gave the Cowboys a chance to win the game against the Falcons. And his 46-yard game-winning field goal capped the incredible comeback.

Everson Griffen, DE – Joe Thomas, LB

After being near invisible in Week One, Everson Griffen was able to get his first sack as a member of the Dallas Cowboys against the Falcons. Unfortunately, it was the only sack America’s Team would record the entire game. Hopefully, it’s just the beginning for the veteran pass rusher who racked up 8.0 sacks last season for the Minnesota Vikings.

I also wanted to mention linebacker Joe Thomas here. Starting in place of the injured Leighton Vander Esch, Thomas racked up 12 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, and a QB hit against the Falcons on Sunday. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest rating (80.2) for a Dallas defender in Week Two.

Bonus: Dak Prescott, QB

For years, the knock on Dak Prescott has been that he’s unable to lift the team to victories when the game is clearly on his shoulders. Down 19-points going into the second half, Prescott put up a performance no other NFL player in the Super Bowl era has ever done. Posting an amazing 450-passing yards and three rushing touchdowns, Dak spearheaded the greatest comeback of his young career and one for the record books.