3 key matchups: Falcons at Cowboys

Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic gets into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (left) and safety Duron Harmon arriving late with the hit during the final minute Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Falcons lost 34-30. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

Nov 13, 2021

Here are three matchups to watch when the Falcons face the Cowboys at 1 p.m. Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas:

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons vs. Falcons RT Kaleb McGary: Parsons, who was selected out of Penn State, was the top defender coming out in this year’s draft. He leads the Cowboys with 38 tackles and has five sacks. McGary is doing a much better job in pass protection this season, and the Falcons haven’t been shy about sending running back Mike Davis over to help. He laid some thunderous chip blocks on the Saints last week.

Cowboys RB Zeke Elliott vs. Falcons LB Foye Oluokun: Elliott and Oluokun were high school classmates in St. Louis before going different ways to Ohio State and Yale. Elliott is averaging 4.9 yards per carry and has scored five touchdowns. Oluokun calls the signals for the Falcons on defense and is the leading tackler with 86.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb vs. Falcons CB A.J. Terrell: Lamb leads the Cowboys with 46 catches for 632 yards and four touchdowns. He has shown improvement in his route running from his rookie season. Terrell also is having a solid second season, but needs to come up with some interceptions when the ball does come his way. He has six pass breakups, but no interceptions.