FRISCO, TEXAS — The 0-1 Dallas Cowboys host the 0-1 Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. After the week one loss to the Rams and injury to several key players, the Cowboys are focused and working towards a rebound in week two. Dallas leads the all-time series record against Arizona 17-11 but have lost three of the last four matchups.
Similar to the Cowboys, the Falcons have no shortage of weapons on offense with a stellar passing attack featuring Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Calvin Ridley. The club boosted their running game by adding an additional piece to their offensive arsenal by signing Todd Gurley after his release from the Rams, who will be utilized in play-action to help set up the passing game.
In week one, the Rams used a short passing attack with screens, bootlegs, and play-action that mitigated the Cowboys pass rush and tested the defense as a unit horizontally. This week, Dallas faces the opposite with the Falcons offense that relies on Matt Ryan’s arm and deep throws downfield. Atlanta will test the Cowboys’ defense vertically, evidenced by Julio Jones averaging 17.4 yards per catch and Calvin Ridley averaging 14.4 yards per catch in week one.
When asked about the explosiveness of Jones and Ridley, Mike McCarthy told D210Sports, “ Their ability to make big plays is all over the tape last year and obviously in the Seattle game. They had 400 plus yards passing but they push the ball up top. It’s a complete opposite challenge than what we just faced last week with the Rams. The ball will go up over the top attempting against your coverage element so that’s part of the way they play. It’s a focus of ours and definitely those two guys are the key players we are looking at so it’s a big play off- they want to throw it. They run it when they feel they have to or need to but it’s really to set up the pass.”
The biggest key for the Cowboys defense will be disrupting the pocket and putting pressure on Matt Ryan to put their offense behind the chains.
Offensively, Dallas converted only three of 12 attempts on third down against the Rams and has to do better in week two against the Falcons. Controlling the clock and capitalizing on opportunities in the red zone will be a big factor to keep Matt Ryan and co. off the field. The Cowboys’ faced a dominant pass-rusher last week in Aaron Donald and although he is not to the same level as the six-time pro bowl vet, Takk McKinley is a force off the edge for Atlanta. He is a focal point in their four-man rush and sacked Russell Wilson on the first play of the game for the Falcons’ defense. With a banged up Dallas offensive line, he will no doubt be looking to hunt on Sunday.
Left tackle Tyron Smith did not practice on Thursday or Friday after suffering a neck injury during the “individual portion of practice” on Thursday, McCarthy told media. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup and McCarthy said the staff will monitor him over the next 48 hours and Saturday “will likely be the determining factor.” In addition, Amari Cooper was limited during practice on Thursday dealing with a bruised foot but he will play against the Falcons.
