The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) travel to Atlanta this Sunday, aiming to rebound from their recent loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) are on a hot streak, winning four of their last five games to claim the NFC South lead. Here’s what Cowboys fans need to know about the Falcons before this Week 9 showdown.
#1. Kirk Cousins Leading the Charge
The Falcons made waves in the offseason by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. Cousins, formerly with the Minnesota Vikings, has delivered, ranking third in the NFL with 2,106 passing yards and a 68.3% completion rate. His 14 touchdown passes have been instrumental in two key wins against the division-rival Buccaneers. Cousins set a franchise record in their Week 5 game, throwing for an impressive 509 yards, solidifying his place as a leader in Atlanta’s offense.
#2. Young Stars Powering the Offense
Atlanta’s recent draft picks are making an impact. Wide receiver Drake London has emerged as the team’s top option with 48 catches, 525 receiving yards, and a career-high five touchdowns. Bijan Robinson, in his second year, has racked up 784 scrimmage yards, with 546 of those on the ground. Tight end Kyle Pitts has also found his stride, placing fourth in receiving yards among tight ends, with a standout performance last week against Tampa Bay. These young players are critical to Atlanta’s offense as they head into the second half of the season.
#3. A Struggling Pass Rush
While the Falcons’ offense is finding success, the defense has its weak spots, particularly in pass-rushing. Atlanta ranks last in the NFL with only six sacks across eight games, with Matthew Judon and Grady Jarrett leading the team at just 1.5 sacks each. Opposing quarterbacks face little pressure from Atlanta, as the Falcons manage a pressure rate of only 14.4% on dropbacks, one of the lowest in the league.
#4. New Leadership Under Raheem Morris
Raheem Morris returned to Atlanta as head coach after a Super Bowl-winning stint with the Rams as defensive coordinator. Since taking over, Morris has led the team to a 5-3 record, putting them in contention for a playoff spot. This is Morris’ second stint with the Falcons, having served in various coaching roles from 2015 to 2020. His leadership has brought new energy to the team, positioning Atlanta for their first postseason appearance since 2017.
#5. Cowboys Hold the Recent Edge
The Cowboys are currently riding a three-game win streak against the Falcons, with their last meeting in 2021 ending in a 43-3 blowout. That game saw Dallas dominate early, with Dak Prescott throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns by halftime. Prescott, along with CeeDee Lamb and Ezekiel Elliott, who each recorded two touchdowns, contributed to the win. This streak and past success will give the Cowboys confidence as they seek redemption and aim to improve their season standing in Atlanta.
