Staff Writer Haley Aguayo
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Atlanta Falcons in a major win at home on Nov. 14 by 40 points.
Fans felt an emotional high from the game against the Patriots, anxiety ridden over their game opposing the Vikings, distraught from a terrible loss versus the Broncos but the Boys were back to stun fans with a colossal win against the Falcons. And with a final score of 43-3, it was colossal.
Cowboys’ Sean McKeon (84), La’el Collins (71) and Osa Odighizuwa (97) look on as Dak Prescott (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Falcons in Arlington on Nov. 14. Photo: The Associated Press
The last time fans got to witness a Cowboys win by 40 points or more was in 1971 when the Cowboys beat the Jets by 42. Not since then have they won by such a big margin.
The Cowboys freight train ran over the Falcons early on as Dallas clearly had adjusted for any errors they made during the previous game.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb ran the ball downfield for a first down, later accompanied by his second reception and first touchdown of the game. He caught it in the end zone less than four minutes after kickoff.
Falcons’ wide receiver Russell Gage was able to catch the ball at the 4-yard line in the first quarter. So close to the end zone, yet so far, as Atlanta’s offense was completely engulfed by the Dallas defense, and was stopped before a TD could be made. Kicker Younghoe Koo took the position of VIP athlete on the Falcons team as he kicked the ball for a field goal. He would turn out to be the only team member for Atlanta to score during the game.
Some pressure was put on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott in the first quarter, with Falcons players able to break through Dallas’ wide offensive line, but that line would later contribute to a major win for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys can thank offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for this year’s success according to NFL writer Todd Archer. “Moore’s genius has been on full display this season as the Cowboys lead the NFL in yards per game (433.9) and points per game (31.6). According to Elias, the last time the Cowboys led the league in scoring and total offense this late in the season was in Weeks 10-12 of the 1995 season.”
Block after block was made by Cowboys defensive players, keeping Atlanta from making first downs and ultimately helping to get the ball back into Prescott’s hands.
Still in the first quarter, tight end Sean Mckeon made his first reception followed by his first first down of the season.
With his help, the Cowboys inched closer to the end zone in the second quarter as Lamb once again carried the ball to the 1-yard line. Prescott handed the ball off to running back Ezekiel Elliott who broke through Atlanta’s defense for the second TD of the game.
A consistent wide offense gave Prescott so much time and space in the second quarter. He passed to wide receivers Amari Cooper, and newly healthy Michael Gallup, to Elliott , Lamb and Tony Pollard, just giving so many fantasy football teams the points they craved with these dangerous connections. Dangerous, that is, to opposing defenses.
Less than halfway through the second quarter these connections lead up to Prescott once again slyly handing off the ball to Elliott who sneaked through a small opening where he braced for impact as he fell to the ground in the end zone, scoring his second TD, the third TD of the game.
With six and a half minutes left until halftime, defensive end Dorance Armstrong tracked down Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and sacked him. A minute before half, the Falcons made a play for Prescott. The pressure was put on him yet he managed to find Lamb, once again in the end zone, for the fourth TD of the game. Lamb displayed incredible athleticism by firmly planting both feet in the end zone before being pushed out by defensive back Avery Williams.
Just when viewers thought the Cowboys would be happy to take a 25 point lead into the locker room at halftime, the Cowboys showed they weren’t through yet. Falcons punter Dustin Colquitt attempted to punt the ball but was blocked by none other than Armstrong. In the cleanest block an athlete in his position could achieve, he dove toward Colquitt and blocked the punt without even touching him. Players from both teams scrambled to get the ball after it landed on the ground but the Cowboys were able to recover it in the end zone for the final TD of the half. This was immediately followed by a successful two point conversion. The Cowboys led at halftime 36-3.
In the third quarter, cornerback Anthony Brown got the first interception of the game and Prescott continued to make great passing connections with his teammates despite Elliott fumbling the ball.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs proved that two can be as bad as one when he stepped in for a reception.
With 35 seconds left in the third quarter, rather than pressure being put on Prescott, it was put on the offensive line. Prescott struggled to find an open man but kept his arm tightly wound and ready for the blitz. He spotted an opening toward his left and ran the ball in himself for the fifth and final TD of the game.
With such a big Dallas lead, the Cowboys and Falcons both decided to sub their backup quarterbacks, Cooper Rush and Josh Rosen. “Both teams called off the dogs”, said Around the NFL staff writer Gregg Rosenthal.
Rosenthal tried to pass the ball to a teammate, but instead, the ball was intercepted by cornerback Jourdan Lewis. With that reception, three starting corners for the Cowboys caught interceptions.
The Cowboys gave an incredible performance just a week after a terrible one against Denver. Whatever mindset the Cowboys are currently in needs to be continuously backed up by a wide offense and a tight defense if they want to remain playoff contenders. The good news for them is, they are on the right track.
