Falcons 39, Cowboys 28
A quarter-by-quarter look at the Falcons’ 39-28 victory against the Dallas Cowboys before 90,345 fans on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: Joseph Randle's 37-yard touchdown run around the right end let backup quarterback Brandon Weeden, who was starting for Tony Romo, get comfortable.
Turning point: On third down-and-8 from the Falcons' 22, the Cowboys rushed six players and linebacker Sean Lee sacked Matt Ryan to force a punt. The Cowboys zipped back down the field, covering 77 yards in eight plays, to take a 14-0 lead. The Falcons' offense stopped the bleeding with an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Devonta Freeman scored on a 3-yard touchdown run.
The takeaway: The Cowboys' offensive line was impressive. They opened some big holes. The Falcons' defense was gashed early and often by Randle and backup Darren McFadden.
Score: Cowboys 14, Falcons 7.
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: After going down 28-14, with :40 seconds left in the quarter, running back Devonta Freeman broke loose for a 35-yard gain to help the Falcons get into field-goal range.
Turning point: William Moore's interception of Brandon Weeden lead to a touchdown drive.
The takeaway: Freeman can carry the load for the Falcons at running back. Roddy White is an afterthought in the new offense. He caught a pass for a 17-yard gain, but right tackle Ryan Schraeder was penalized for going downfield too soon. The play was nullified. Before last week, the last time White played in a game and didn't catch a pass was against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 3, 2006.
Score: Cowboys 28, Falcons 17.
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: Julio Jones ran across the field and beat the safety to the end zone on a 45-yard touchdown catch with 7:16 left in the quarter to pull the Falcons closer.
Turning point: With tight end Jacob Tamme out (concussion protocol), backup tight end Levine Toilolo was open and caught a two-point conversion to pull the Falcons within 28-25.
The takeaway: The defense started to shut down the Dallas run game.
Score: Cowboys 28, Falcons 25.
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: Freeman's 7-yard touchdown run, his third touchdown of the game, put the Falcons ahead for the first time.
Turning point: On third down-and-3 from Dallas' 27, Falcons rookie Vic Beasley sacked Weeden to force a punt. The offense promptly went on an 11-play, 62-yard drive and took 6:14 off the clock to wrap up the game. After giving up 131 yards rushing in the first half, the defense held the Cowboys to minus-4 yards rushing in the second half.
The takeaway: The Falcons are strong finishers as they improved to 3-0, again rallying in the second half to win.
Score: Falcons 39, Cowboys 28.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
