The Cowboys seemingly turned back the clock to 2020 on Sunday in regards to their rushing defense. Allowing the Broncos to run for almost 200 yards and break tackles left and right. If they want to come away with a victory vs the Falcons they can't let what is an inferior running team, do that to them.

The Falcons come into the game as one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL. Head Coach Arthur Smith is not very much used to this lack of production.

Smith comes over from Tennessee where his offense led the league in rushing with Derick Henry. Electing to run a heavy package scheme to create lanes for Henry.

Personnel Groupings

With the Titans in 2020 they ran out of 12 personnel (2 TEs) or 13 personnel (3 TEs) the most in the league.

This year with the Falcons he has changed their philosophy to mimic his scheme in Tennessee.

So far the Falcons run 12 personnel the 2nd most in the NFL and 13 personnel the most.

The production however is lackluster.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Atlanta is 29th in yards per game, 31st in yards per game, and 30th in rushing touchdowns. But Smith will still run the ball just to set up play-action for Matt Ryan.

Ryan out of play-action has been lights out in 2021. He completes 77% of his passes with 7 TDs and 0 ints with a passer rating of 129.

If the Cowboys want to have success Sunday they have to get to Matt Ryan. The first step to doing that is making an already poor running team one-dimensional.

Every QBs best friend is the threat of a running game. Denver used that threat to dictate the pace, Dallas cant allow Atlanta do that in what needs to be a bounce-back game.

No more turning back the clock to 2020, head down and forward. Well unless you're a Falcons running back.