Payback time: Dallas Cowboys face another must-win game against Atlanta Falcons
Let’s be honest. All of the good feelings and up-off-the-mat vibes the Dallas Cowboys showed in spades last week in Philadelphia mean nothing — nada, squat, zilch — if they don’t follow it up with a win Sunday in Atlanta.
Why? Because they’re probably not sniffing the playoffs without a win. Because they’re still trying to win consecutive games for the first time since last December.
Because they owe the Falcons a beating after taking it on the chin 27-7 a year ago when the offensive line nearly put their quarterback in an old folks home at the age of 24. Dak Prescott was sacked eight times in the game, which the Cowboys played without injured left tackle Tyron Smith and suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott.
They’re both playing Saturday. A loss Sunday would push the Cowboys to 4-6 and just about force them to win their final six games to earn a playoff berth. Since this team has yet to win consecutive games, winning six in a row seems doubtful. So it’s another must-win.
Five things to watch for in Atlanta:
1. Keep feeding Zeke
The Cowboys have won in each of Elliott’s top nine rushing games, including twice this season when he had 152 yards against the Lions (Sept. 30) and 151 yards last week against the Eagles. Dallas has lost all six of Elliott’s worst days rushing. This isn’t rocket science. They’re 8-1 when he gets 25 or more carries and 5-5 when he has fewer than 20. Get him the ball in Atlanta.
2. Hold the line
It’s not just the Cowboys’ offensive line that is banged up. The Cowboys’ defensive line is not in the best shape either. David Irving is likely to be unavailable as his 2018 season is becoming largely forgettable. He’s only played in two games, the last coming Oct. 21. Taco Charlton is still recovering from a shoulder injury and Antwaun Woods hasn’t practiced this week because of a concussion and Daniel Ross hasn’t practiced because of a calf injury.
3. Spread it around
Amari Cooper has been a boon to the passing game, no doubt. But after attracting most of Prescott’s attention for the past two games, a little variety would be wise. Cole Beasley and Michael Gallup have the same number of targets combined (18) as Cooper since he joined the team. Part of the allure of Cooper was helping free up other options for Prescott. Perhaps that starts to develop against the Falcons.
4. Avenging Falcons
Last year’s debacle in Atlanta has been thoroughly examined this week and the Cowboys’ players and coaches have done their best to downplay any carry over. And, of course, there is plenty of truth to the sentiment that even just a year later, they are different teams and have different players. But so what. It was an embarrassing butt-kicking for the Cowboys and it helped derail their 2017 season. Prescott hasn’t been the same since being sacked eight times by the Falcons. They should have revenge on their mind.
5. Slowing Matt Ryan
Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan is still one of the best in the league. He’s one of four QBs with more than 3,000 passing yards. He’s done it in nine games, the other three have done it in 10. He has multiple weapons, including Julio Jones, who leads the league with 1,040 receiving yards. Rookie Calvin Ridley, who the Cowboys skipped to draft linebacker Leighton Vander Esch in April’s draft, has quickly become one of Ryan’s top targets. Ridley has 36 catches for 500 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns.
This story was originally published November 16, 2018 at 12:00 AM.