The Atlanta Falcons dismantled the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon in Week 10, 27-7. Here are the highlights, the game recap and the final score.
The Atlanta Falcons dominated in the trenches on Sunday afternoon to throttle the Dallas Cowboys in Americaās Game of the Week on FOX, 27-7. Dallas would briefly take a 7-0 lead on a Dak Prescott red zone scamper, but that was set up in large part by an unfortunate Matt Ryan interception.
Atlanta could have caved after giving the Cowboys easy points in the first quarter, but the team found strength in the pass rush and eventually the running game. The Falcons put together arguably their best performance of the NFL season. Atlanta improves to 5-4, while Dallas sinks to 5-4.
The Cowboys 100 percent missed left tackle Tyron Smith in this one. Prescott would get routinely rag dolled by Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn all afternoon. Clayborn would set a Falconsā franchise record with six quarterback sacks in this game. It was a truly dominating performance by the Atlanta pass rusher. It might even get him a Pro Bowl nod for all we know.
Despite losing starting running back Devonta Freeman to the concussion protocol early in the first quarter, Atlanta would eventually prevail in the ground game. Tevin Coleman and Terron Ward would gradually wear down the Dallas defense, especially after inside linebacker Sean Lee suffered a hamstring injury in the first half.
Atlanta looked like the Falcons of a year ago with Ryan making plays all over the field in the passing game. Dallas had no answer for Atlanta on its A game. It got ugly really quickly and we have to wonder if this team is going to survive the rest of the Ezekiel Elliott suspension.
The Falcons are still two games back of the division-leading New Orleans Saints in the NFC South, but are very much alive in the NFC wild card race. Dallas could see its season slip away here very fast. With two games left against the arch rival Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys arenāt in good position to stay afloat in the NFC.
It became abundantly clear in this one for the Cowboys. Without Elliott, this Cowboys offense has no bite. Should Smith miss any more time, there could be big problems in Big D. Atlanta can feel good about itself after wrecking Dallas for a full 60 minutes of dominant ball.
Three Stars
- Adrian Clayborn: Clayborn had his best game as a professional football player. He had six tackles, all solo, three for a loss of yardage, six quarterback sacks, seven quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
- Tevin Coleman: Coleman 20 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown. He also had a catch for five yards.
- Matt Ryan: Ryan completed 22 of 29 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Highlights
Next Game
The Cowboys will have another huge game on the schedule next week. They will host the arch rival Eagles on Sunday Night Football in Week 11. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium in Arlington will be at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 19. NBC will have the national primetime telecast.
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Atlanta has another massive game on the schedule next week. The Falcons will have to travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Kickoff from CenturyLink Field in Seattle will be at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 20. ESPN will have the national primetime telecast.