Afternoon, everyone! Hope you all enjoyed your extra hour of sleep last night and are back on track for NFL Sunday. It's Jen here to bring you live text updates of the Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys game! Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia and I'm here to give you all the latest scores, commentary, and highlights starting from an hour before game time. Let's jump into some of the things you need to know before the game begins.
The 5-3 Atlanta Falcons are currently sitting in first place in the NFC South thanks to their win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. The Falcons will host the 3-4 Dallas Cowboys this week in a game that will air on Fox this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Cowboys, who are 3rd in the NFC East, are coming off a 24-30 loss against the San Francisco 49ers, making this week's game all the more crucial for their playoff chances. Here’s all the info you need about today's Cowboys vs. Falcons game, and check out live game-day updates here.
Falcons and Cowboys Injury Report
Although right guard Chris Lindstorm has been listed as active for the Falcons, they will be without several others, including rookies Brandon Dorlus and JD Bertrand. Rookie defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro suffered an ankle injury last week but will be active against the Cowboys today.
Also active is center Drew Dalman, who returned from Injured Reserve this week after suffering an ankle injury in Week 3.
Cowboys
As for the Cowboys, they continue to be short-handed on defense with star edge rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland both still out with injuries. Parsons suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 and Bland a stress fracture in the preseason, although he was activated from IR this week. Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips remains out since Week 3 with a wrist injury. One cornerback has been cleared to return at least and that's rookie cornerback Caelen Carson.
Cowboys and Falcons: Where they stand in Week 9
The Dallas Cowboys are heading into this game at 3-4 with their only wins happening on the road. Their last game was a 30-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on the road. They have a banged-up defense with injuries to several key players that's been an issue all season. Their offense, though mostly healthy, has done nothing to salvage their performance as they are the worst rushing team in the league and have only one truly great receiver in CeeDee Lamb, who's been out of sync with quarterback Dak Prescott as of late. Last week's loss placed a bleak outlook on an already grim season, but a loss today would pretty much dash any remaining hope for the remaining games.
The Atlanta Falcons, on the other hand, have had a much better season than anticipated with Kirk Cousins under center. They sit at 5-3 and their latest win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made it a season sweep over the NFC South rivals and put them in first place in their division. In that game, Cousins threw for three touchdowns and became the first player in NFL history to pass for eight TDs against a single team in one season. In addition to Cousins leading the way, the Falcons' run game has improved with Bijan Robinson, who ranks ninth in the league in rushing yards with 546, and Tyler Allgeier.
Falcons RBs vs Cowboys' run defense
I mentioned earlier how much Atlanta's run game has improved. Sadly, I can't say the same for the Cowboys' run defense, which was already bad last season and has only become worse this season. The running back duo of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Algeier does not bode well for them as they are averaging close to five yards per carry this season. Mike Zimmer will likely stack the box to try to contain them, but if they can't, we could see a repeat of what the Detroit Lions did to them in Week 5...
One thing the Cowboys have going for them
Or rather one thing the Falcons don't have going for them that benefits the Cowboys, is that the Falcons are not a heavy pass-rush team. Considering the Cowboys are getting nowhere on the ground (dead last with 74.1 yards per game, just eight rushes of 10 yards or more, and Rico Dowdle's 13-yard run being the longest of the season), the pass game is their only hope.
The Falcons acquired outside linebacker Matthew Judon this season, who has 68 career sacks, but with Atlanta, he's got just 1.5 so far, and altogether the Falcons defense has just six sacks this season, last in the league. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has already thrown seven interceptions this season after just nine all season long last year, but at least he and WR CeeDee Lamb finally seemed to be on the same page last week when Lamb caught 13 passes for 146 yards and two TDs. The challenge will be to repeat that again this week (and the next...and the next...) as it's pretty much all they've got going for them on offense right now.
GAME TIME!
And we're off, Falcons will start us off on offense.
(15:00 - 1st) B.Aubrey kicks to the Cowboys 35 and Williams takes it up 24 yards to the 30
Robinson takes it up 9 yards to start off - 2nd and 1
First Quarter Highlights
Falcons' first touchdown
The Falcons had huge plays from RB Bijan Robinson and WR Drake London to get into Cowboys territory fast. It was London who caught the 9-yard pass in the end zone for the touchdown and Koo's PAT was good to put the Falcons in the lead with 5:23 still to go in the first quarter.
Cowboys field goal
Cowboys went quick down the field, getting into the red zone in just three minutes. Falcons LB Kaden Elliss made two critical stops to force them into 4th down and they had to settle for the field goal. Brandon Aubrey made the 34-yard try to put the Cowboys up with 9:32 left in the first quarter.
END FIRST QUARTER
At the end of the first quarter, the Falcons are in the lead after a touchdown by London. The Cowboys trail with just a field goal on the board.
Falcons have the ball at 2nd and 8 at the Cowboys 31 to start the second quarter.
Second Quarter Highlights
Cousins-London connection
Falcons started off their scoring with a touchdown by WR Drake London
Donovan Wilson's fumble recovery
Dallas got a break in the second quarter when Cousins fumbled and Wilson recovered it
That didn't last long
The Cowboys went for it on 4th and 1, handing it to CeeDee Lamb, who was taken back by Kaden Ellis to give Atlanta the ball back yet again.
Mooney's 36-yard TD
The Falcons were able to maximize on that opportunity after getting the ball back and went for it on 4th down themselves. Except they actually converted, and more...they got a 36-yard touchdown run by WR Darnell Mooney.
Dowdle's TD
Well that was definitely not the prettiest touchdown I've ever seen, but the Dallas offense got it done. At 2nd and goal, Prescott moved back under pressure but got the ball away to Dowdle, who bobbled the ball with one hand and ended up falling and catching it in the end zone for the touchdown. Aubrey's PAT was good to make it a 4-point game with four minute until halftime.
END FIRST HALF
That'll take us to the end of the first half. The Falcons lead 14-10.
Third Quarter Highlights
Falcons TOUCHDOWN!!
The Falcons took over in Cowboys territory after they turned it over and were able to get the score after several big runs by RB Bijan Robinson. Cousins' pass to McCloud for 11 yards in the end zone gave them the TD and Koo's PAT was good. Falcons extend their lead early in the second half with 10:23 still to go in the 3rd quarter.
About the author
Jennifer Bubel
Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.
