A graphic came up when the Dallas Cowboys were near their goal line early in the third quarter. It stated that the Atlanta Falcons had not been down 33 points at the half since 1971. That was 833 games ago. With the Cowboys outclassing the Falcons 43-3, Atlanta now must focus their sights on the Patriots in four short days. But first, let’s take a brief, oh so brief, look at how the Cowboys put the Atlanta Falcons talent deficiencies on full display.
Dallas Cowboys Put Atlanta Falcons Talent Deficiencies on Full Display
Offensive Dominance from Dallas
The Cowboys just made Atlanta look like a high school football team that is primarily used as the homecoming game for their opponents. Dak Prescott and that offense had come in with bad intentions for this Falcons defense and did not disappoint. Prescott ends the day going 24/31 for 296 yards and two touchdowns with a fourth-quarter worth of rest. Ceedee Lamb torched Avery Williams and any other nickel corner Atlanta put on him for six receptions, 94 yards, and both passing touchdowns on just seven targets.
Not to be outdone, Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard came in and combined for 25 carries for 83 yards with Elliot rushing for two touchdowns. Prescott’s four-yard score was the final play before he was able to throw on a ball cap for the rest of the day.
Dallas made this game unreachable in the first half. They not only kept this defense on the field but demoralized them on both third and fourth down. All but one of the Cowboys drives ended in a touchdown. The Falcons were not getting off the field when they had opportunities to.
Prescott seemed cool and comfortable in the pocket while the Falcons fought their hardest to try to get to him. It was clear that it was going to be hard to win for Atlanta if they were not able to get to Prescott early and often. Instead, the Cowboys methodically wore the Falcons defense down into inevitable submission by possessing the ball for 15 minutes more. The Falcons trenches, secondary, and even the linebackers were completely outmatched.
Offensive Letdown from Atlanta
Matt Ryan had his worst day as an Atlanta Falcon by far today going 9/21 for 117 yards and two interceptions. The Falcons were 0/8 on third down and 0/2 on fourth down in the first half, including a key fourth-down stop in the early going that will be discussed given the final score. The Falcons pass catchers were not getting separation. The run game could not get started until the starters were sitting on the sidelines. The offensive line looked the worst that they have looked since Week 1. Overall, this was a complete outclassing by the Dallas Cowboys including their talented defense.
All three starting defensive backs: Anthony Brown, Jordan Lewis, and, of course, Trevon Diggs got interceptions on this struggling Atlanta offense. Pitts had a decent game with four receptions for 60 yards on six targets. But besides him and some late-game reps for young guys like Frank Darby and Richie Grant, this game was forgettable.
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Conclusion
There is not much to say about this game. Dallas looked better. They have a much better roster than Atlanta and they showed it off on Sunday. Nothing that Arthur Smith called worked or had a chance to work because of the talent gap.
This game was yet another wake-up call that this is not a team that is ready to contend with the top of the NFC. And who better to see next than a team who just took out one of the top teams in the AFC in the New England Patriots?
Can the Falcons rise up to the occasion on Thursday? If this game is any indication, absolutely not.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
