Where the Dallas Cowboys can Attack the Atlanta Falcons
The Dallas Cowboys (6-2) are coming off a loss against the Denver Broncos that was tough to watch. Which is putting it lively. Not only couldn't the Cowboys stop the run, but they allowed Teddy Bridgewater to beat them on simple passing concepts. Dak Prescott didn't look himself, missing key throws. It wasn't all him, […]
The Dallas Cowboys (6-2) are coming off a loss against the Denver Broncos that was tough to watch. Which is putting it lively. Not only couldn't the Cowboys stop the run, but they allowed Teddy Bridgewater to beat them on simple passing concepts.
Dak Prescott didn't look himself, missing key throws. It wasn't all him, as their were 6 combined dropped passes, and Terence Steele allowed 9 pressures filling in for the injured Tyron Smith.
Micah Parsons was the only defensive player who really played up to par, but now is going to have "do it all" again.
With the news that Randy Gregory hurt his calf and will be sent to IR, it takes a hit to a Cowboys pass rush that depends on him. Op top of that, DeMarcus Lawrence still hasn't been designated to return, thinning out the Cowboys edge rushers.
Luckily enough, you need those types of games to bring you back to earth. Dallas had come off a 6-game win streak, and can get back on track against the Atlanta Falcons (4-4).
Atlanta will be without some key players like Dante Fowler and Calvin Ridley (mental health), but still have plenty of fire power. Matt Ryan is playing as good as ever and rookie Kyle Pitts is becoming what Micah Parsons means to the Cowboys defense.
Even though the Cowboys are an 8.5-point favorite, the Falcons are firmly put in the playoff picture and playing some of their best ball. Not the best time to play them if you're the Cowboys.
After the Broncos game, Dallas has learned to not take any opponent for granted. The Falcons may be 4-4 but it's a bit misleading. They don't give up much through the air (8th) but are near the bottom playing the run. Team's are so good at running on them, they don't need to pass as often.
If the Cowboy want to win, and get back on track, there are key areas of strength and weakness to exploit. The Cowboys have the personnel to do it, but this isn't as black and white of a game people perceive it as.
Blitz from Within
As mentioned before, the Atlanta Falcons offensive line hasn't looked great overall as a unit. The most egregious being left guard Jaylen Mayfield. While only a rookie, he's allowing a 9% pressure rate and has given up 5 sacks. By far leading the team.
Mayfield was listed as an X-factor due to the "if…" factor. How he plays has been indicative on how successful defenses have been on applying to Matt Ryan.
It's also a prime opportunity for players like Osa Odghizuwa, Chauncey Golston and Carlos Watkins to wreak havoc. As well as allowing Micah Parsons to stay inside, and blitz up the middle as he did against Denver, boosting the Dallas Cowboys prssure.
More Pressure on Moreau
AJ Terrell is having a great second season. He's been the player in the Falcons secondary who's made life hard on receivers. On the opposite side, is having opposite results.
Foster Moreau isn't the corner who follows the team's number 1 receiver, but has been picked on all year long. He's given up 70% of passes targeted his way, and will have his hands full.
The Falcons rank 8th against the pass, but you wouldn't know it with Moreau allowing 5 scores in man coverage. Now that Michael Gallup is back, expect him to be targeted heavily in this matchup.
Be Prepared to Assist Up Front
Lesson's learned and they sure run deep. What we should have learned is that Terence Steele is a much better player at right tackle than at left. Even without facing Von Miller or Bradley Chubb, the Broncos had their way.
This time around, they face a 3-man front in Atlanta. The person who will line up as the shadowing DE/DT will be Pro Bowl tackle Grady Jarrett. Jarrett plays a 5-technique defensive end, who lines head up on the offensive tackle. He'll be blitzing the inside gap between Steele and Connor Williams, the weak link on the line.
The good news is that Dante Fowler won't play on Sunday. The bad news is Deion Jones will, and the Falcons will blitz the middle with their linebackers, being where they're generating most of their pass rush.
Steele and Williams are going to have their hands full with all that will come their way. The Dallas Cowboys will likely need to keep a tight end or Ezekiel Elliott in to assist in pass protection for the area.
Cordarrelle Patterson, in all 3 Areas
It may seem like an obvious idea, but not when you consider that Cordarrelle Patterson is to Atlanta what Tony Pollard is to Dallas. Only bigger.
Patterson has found new life as a running back. Not only is creating mismatches as a receiver out of the backfield and the line of scrimmage, but as a ball carrier. Patterson already has the most carries in a season in his career, averaging just under 4 yards per carry. In addition, he has the 2nd best (qualified) catch percentage of his career at 81%.
This isn't affecting his time as a kick returner, averaging 23.7 yards per return, 12th in the league.
Stopping the running game is well in the minds of the Dallas Cowboys, but this swiss army knife of a player can and will hurt in multiple ways. The difference in this game can come down to number 84. Both on offense and dictating field position.
