The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) head into a pivotal matchup against the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-3) this Sunday, with hopes of halting their two-game skid and keeping playoff dreams alive. The Cowboys face an uphill battle, aiming to avoid their first three-game losing streak since 2020. Following a tough 30-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8, Dallas finds themselves urgently needing a win to stay competitive within a crowded NFC East and the playoff wildcard race.
Here’s a breakdown of three crucial moves the Cowboys must focus on to overcome the Falcons in Week 9.
#1. Bolster the Run Defense
The Cowboys’ defense has been hampered by a persistent struggle to stop the run, which has led to troubling performances. With the Falcons’ strong ground game, featuring running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, Dallas will need to step up to avoid a repeat of last week’s struggles. Robinson, a second-year standout, ranks ninth in the league in rushing yards (546) and combines both rushing and receiving threats, while Allgeier’s powerful running style offers a change of pace.
Allowing a league-worst average of 154.6 rushing yards per game, Dallas must find a way to stifle Atlanta’s run attack to keep control of the clock and force the Falcons into passing situations.
#2. Prioritize Ball Security
Turnovers have plagued the Cowboys’ recent outings, particularly for quarterback Dak Prescott, who has thrown six interceptions over the past three games. Prescott has taken ownership of these mistakes, emphasizing the importance of cleaning up his game: “Once again, we put ourselves behind in the turnover battle. That’s on me, and I can’t have that and win games. I’ve got to clean that up, period,” Prescott admitted post-game.
Turnovers are a costly trend Dallas cannot afford, especially given the Falcons’ knack for capitalizing on mistakes. Atlanta’s defense ranks fourth in interceptions this season, putting Prescott and the offense under added pressure. Dallas must prioritize ball security and smart decisions to avoid unnecessary risks and maintain possession.
#3. Feed CeeDee Lamb
In an otherwise frustrating game, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb proved to be a beacon of consistency. Against San Francisco, Lamb posted season highs with 13 receptions on 17 targets, racking up 146 yards and two touchdowns. His contributions accounted for half of the Cowboys’ 18 first downs and were instrumental in closing the scoring gap late in the game.
When Lamb is actively involved, Dallas’ offense gains rhythm and confidence. Currently, Lamb ranks among the league’s top receivers, standing third in receiving yards (613) and targets (72). Building the offensive strategy around Lamb’s versatility will help Dallas create mismatches and open up scoring opportunities against Atlanta’s secondary.
Bottom Line
Another one! CeeDee Lamb hauls in his second TD to make it a one-score game 👀
📺: #DALvsSF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/RG5xWlonVE— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024
To bounce back against the Falcons, Dallas must excel in these three key areas. Focusing on stopping the run, protecting the football, and maximizing Lamb’s impact could be the difference between extending their playoff hopes and slipping further into a losing streak. As the NFC East intensifies, the Cowboys face a season-defining challenge that could set the tone for the weeks ahead.
