Dallas Cowboys: Top 3 player matchups for showdown with Falcons

We are on to Atlanta. That is all Dallas Cowboys fans should be saying after the game last Sunday against the Broncos. The Cowboys sit at 6-2 and hope to get back to their winning ways against the Falcons this Sunday.

The Falcons come into Dallas sporting a 4-4 record and coming off their biggest win of the season over the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta has a good group of skill players that could make this game difficult for the Cowboys.

Last week’s game should have been a wake-up call for the Cowboys and hopefully, they will be ready to go from the opening kickoff on Sunday. Without further ado, here are the top 3 player matchups for Cowboys/Falcons.

Falcons vs Cowboys: 3. Jayron Kearse vs Kyle Pitts

Tight end Kyle Pitts was the “unicorn” player that most teams were infatuated with back in draft season. After being selected by Atlanta fourth overall he is living up to the hype. You could argue Pitts is already the most explosive tight end in the NFL.

On the season Pitts has 36 receptions for 546 yards and one touchdown. He is averaging 15.2 yards per reception. According to PFF, Pitts leads all tight ends with 17 receptions of 15+ yards this season. He also has a PFF grade of 78.2 which is third amongst all rookies.

Pitts is 6’6” 246lbs which is a great frame for a tight end, that is also where Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse comes in. Kearse is 6’4” and he can match up well with Pitts based on his size.

With no Calvin Ridley in this game, Pitts will be the Falcons’ most dangerous receiver. They very well could try and double-team him or maybe give Trevon Diggs a shot when Pitts lines up out wide.

But, I think Kearse should get the first crack at guarding Pitts and he has earned it. Kearse has taken over defensive play-calling duties and has played every defensive snap the past four games. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys game plan for Pitts but slowing him down will go a long way in potentially winning this game.