Falcons defeat Cowboys 39-28 after comeback: Full highlights, final score and more

The Atlanta Falcons weathered the storm and beat the Dallas Cowboys after making a second half comeback.

The Dallas Cowboys hosted the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium in a match-up of 2-0 teams. While both teams carried undefeated records into the game, the Cowboys weren’t necessarily viewed as a favorite at home.

With star players wide receiver Dez Bryant and quarterback Tony Romo out, the Cowboys looked like they were going to have a rough day against the Falcons’ potent offense. That wasn’t the case, and the Cowboys came out running all over the Falcons’ defense and running back Joseph Randle looked every bit the part of 2014 DeMarco Murray scoring three first-half touchdowns.

The Cowboys took a 28-17 into the half, but the Falcons opened the second half with a touchdown to narrow the gap. It was an impressive 45-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones, who tossed aside a defender.

The Falcons added another touchdown with a seven-yard run from Devonta Freeman right up the gut. Freeman was untouched heading into the end zone to give the Falcons their first lead of the game.

The Falcons drove down the field again in the fourth quarter, Matt Ryan rolling out to find Jones once again for a touchdown to extend their lead.

The Cowboys tried to mount a comeback of their own late in the game, on fourth and four with about a minute and a half left in the game, Weeden hit wide receiver Terrance Williams right in the numbers and he dropped it.

Four stars

1. Joseph Randle, RB, Dallas Cowboys – Who needs DeMarco Murray when you have Joseph Randle scoring at will, getting three touchdowns in the first half.
2. Brandon Weeden, QB, Dallas Cowboys – Weeden was incredibly consistent, starting the game without throwing an incompletion until an ill-advised interception.
3. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons –  Freeman was the Falcons’ counter punch to Randle, scoring three touchdowns of his own on the day.
4. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons – Jones was once again unstoppable, 12 receptions with over 162 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions.

Highlights

The highlights from the first half pretty much was a highlight reel of Cowboys running back Joseph Randle, who looked like one of the league’s best against the Falcons’ defense. Randle was able to run at will and had an incredible 37-yard dash to score.

On the Cowboys’ next drive, Randle punched it in again to give Dallas a 14-0 lead and Randle added another short-yardage later in the half for three touchdowns through two quarters.

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had a big 45-yard touchdown reception, tossing aside a Cowboys defensive back in the process.

Matt Ryan broke out a big run late in the third quarter on third down as the Falcons were making their come back. https://vine.co/v/exPbzdq3OA3 Freeman gives the Falcons their first lead: https://vine.co/v/exPOtQpH0rA Jones extended the lead with his second touchdown of the game.

Next Week

Next week the Dallas Cowboys return to Sunday Night Football to face the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees has been battling a rotator cuff injury so it should be a match-up of back-ups instead of the Tony Romo vs. Drew Brees match-up NBC executives were dreaming off earlier this season.

The Atlanta Falcons will host the inconsistent and mediocre Houston Texans at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won’t be expecting an easy game, but they’ll be expecting a win.

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