3-0 #ATL

by: Aryan Javan

It did not look good at the beginning, but the Atlanta Falcons came from behind for the second straight week to top the Dallas Cowboys! The Falcons trailed going into the fourth quarter for the second straight Sunday but managed another victory on the road.

Atlanta got steamrolled early, by the top-rated Cowboys offensive line. Joseph Randle was running wild in the first half and gave the Cowboys a quick 14-0 lead. Atlanta, who trailed the entire first half, was able to linger around with two Devonta Freeman touchdowns and a late-first-half field goal by Matt Bryant. Darren McFadden and Randle were able to find the end zone as well to extend the lead to 28-17. The defense did not look the part as they did in previous games, but they settled down and looked fantastic in the second half! They did what they have done so far all year, swarm to the ball.

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones went unconscious in the last 30 minutes of action. The two were in sync like no other as Jones hauled in 12 receptions, 164-yards, two-touchdowns. The crazy thing was he was not the best Falcon out there today. NFL sophomore, Devonta Freeman, had an absolute field day! He finished with a final stateline of 30 carries for 141 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, and five receptions for 52 yards. The dynamic young running back out of Florida State stepped up to the challenge Sunday with his backfield mate, Tevin Coleman (ribs), being out. He looked incredible! Running in between tackles, bouncing to the outside and even catching the ball. Freeman single handedly changed the momentum of this game.

The defense was able to cement the Cowboys offense in the second half. Stop after stop, Cowboys backup quarterback, Brandon Weeden, could not get anything going. An ill-advised pass from Weeden at the beginning of the third quarter gave Atlanta the ball with a short field. Matt Ryan and the Falcons were able to capitalize and cut into the lead 25-28.

This is a Dallas team that is riddled with injuries and they came out strong at the beginning of this game. But Atlanta just wore them down and stuck to the X's and O's of their game. Another great win for the Falcons as they move to 3-0 against the NFC East and 3-0 overall. Atlanta may have a chance to go 5-0 with their next two games at home against opponents with an under .500 record.

The Falcons will host the Houston Texans (1-2) next Sunday, October 4th at 1:00 p.m.