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.
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