Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 3rd 2024

Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta
Logo Dallas Cowboys
VS
Logo Atlanta Falcons
48.5
OPENER
-2

49o -110
CURRENT
-3.5 +100

+150
MONEYLINE
-175

21
SCORE
27

Preview and Prediction

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons will host the Dallas Cowboys in a matchup between two NFC teams heading in opposite directions.

The Falcons (5-3) are currently experiencing one of their best seasons since 2017, when they last had a winning record and made it to the playoffs. They have won four of their last five games, all against divisional opponents in the NFC South.

However, the Falcons have struggled to win at home this season, with a 2-3 record at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They will have a chance to improve their record when they host the Cowboys for the first time in six years.

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Falcons' offense has been a major factor in their success. They are currently averaging 24.3 points per game, a significant increase from last year's average of 18.9. The Falcons have also scored over 30 points in three games this season, something they failed to do at all in 2023.

Morris and Cousins have brought a new level of excitement to the Falcons, with Cousins ranking third in the NFL for passing yards and tied for fifth in passing touchdowns. He has also shown an ability to spread the ball around, with five players on the team having at least 29 receptions.

In contrast, the Cowboys (3-4) have been struggling as of late, losing their last two games and falling 2.5 games behind the NFC East leaders, the Washington Commanders. Their first loss was a humiliating 47-9 defeat at home to the Detroit Lions on October 13th.

The Cowboys' struggles can be attributed to their defense, which is currently allowing the second-most points in the league (28.3 per game) and the most rushing yards (154.6, tied with the Carolina Panthers). On the offensive side, they are also struggling with the lowest rushing yards per game in the league (74.1).

In their most recent game against the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Dak Prescott threw two interceptions for the third consecutive game and the fourth time this season. The team's turnover battle has been a major issue, and head coach Mike McCarthy has made it a priority to improve in this area.

Both teams have also been dealing with injuries. For the Falcons, offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom and defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro did not practice on Wednesday, while linebackers Troy Andersen and Kaden Elliss were limited. Safety Justin Simmons and center Drew Dalman were also limited. The Cowboys have been without star linebacker Micah Parsons for the last three weeks due to an ankle injury, and cornerback Trevon Diggs also missed practice on Wednesday. However, they did activate cornerback DaRon Bland from the injured reserve, who led the NFL in interceptions last season.

PREDICTION
Dallas Cowboys
24
28
Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons Recap NOV 3TH 2024

Kirk Cousins completed 19 of 24 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons over the visiting Dallas Cowboys 27-21 on Sunday.

Bijan Robinson rushed for a game-high 86 yards for Atlanta (6-3), which has won five of six games. Darnell Mooney caught five passes for 88 yards and a touchdown for Atlanta.

Dak Prescott completed 18 of 24 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown before exiting with a hamstring injury in the second half. Prescott was replaced by Cooper Rush, who completed 13 of 25 passes for 115 yards and a score, as the Cowboys (3-5) lost their third straight.

Rico Dowdle ran for 75 yards to lead Dallas, while Jake Ferguson caught seven passes for 71 yards. CeeDee Lamb had eight grabs for just 47 yards.

Trailing 14-10 at halftime, Dallas attempted a fake punt on its opening drive from its own 38, but Bryan Anger's pass was incomplete. The Falcons then scored on a five-play, 38-yard drive, capped by Cousins' 11-yard touchdown pass to Ray-Ray McCloud with 10:29 left in the third.

Following punts from each team, Brandon Aubrey's 57-yard field goal on the final play of the third cut Dallas' deficit to 21-13.

On the ensuing drive, Atlanta connected with Robinson for consecutive passes of 11 and 29 yards to advance to the Dallas' 26-yard line, leading to Tyler Allgeier's 6-yard touchdown run with 11:15 left in the game.

Trailing 27-13, Rush led the Cowboys on a 14-play, 86-yard drive which resulted in a four-yard touchdown to Jalen Tolbert with 1:32 left. Rush then found Lamb for the two-point conversion, but Atlanta's Kyle Pitts recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the victory.

After Atlanta punted on its opening possession, Dallas cracked the scoreboard on Aubrey's 34-yard field goal with 9:36 left in the opening quarter.

The Falcons then answered with a seven-play, 78-yard scoring drive, stamped with Cousins' 9-yard touchdown pass to Drake London, who then left with a hip injury.

Dallas then punted but got the ball back on a Cousins fumble recovered by Donovan Wilson at the Cowboys 33. After reaching Atlanta's 44, Lamb's fourth-and-1 run was stuffed by Kaden Elliss.

The Falcons regained the lead with Cousins' 36-yard TD pass to Mooney, before the Cowboys answered with Prescott's 3-yard scoring toss to Dowdle, cutting their halftime deficit to 14-10.