Could a road trip to Atlanta be just what Dallas needs?

The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) need a win against the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) on Sunday to stay in the NFC East race. Can Dak Prescott and Co. get back on track heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium?

The Dallas Morning News' Columnists and beat writers make their predictions:

Tim Cowlishaw

Never trust the Falcons as a first place team. This could be the point that pushes the Cowboys to 4-4. Just when you have a good feeling for Kirk Cousins ​​(and he's been much better than Dak this season), he has a way of letting you down. Essentially, the Cowboys need to do a complete turnaround and start winning the take home battle with two wins instead of losing it every week. That puts it on Prescott to get a clean sheet, and on the secondary to make some plays, and on everyone to make some big stops on Bijan Robinson in the run game.

Cowboys 24, Falcons 20

Damon Marx

The connection between Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb showed signs of life in the fourth quarter of the loss at San Francisco. Can they keep going against the Falcons, or was it just a blip on the radar? The Cowboys need the high-priced duo to carry them considering they are the only offensive threat. Historically, Dallas has had success against Kirk Cousins, who often makes critical mistakes. The Cowboys are also the more desperate team. That's enough for a top-class away win.

Cowboys 28, Falcons 24

David Moore

This season is in danger of slipping away from the Cowboys. Lose this game and Dallas would enter next week's divisional showdown against Philadelphia on a three-game losing streak. The question: Is this team even capable of stopping the bleeding at the moment? That remains to be seen. But this game means more to the Cowboys than the Falcons, and the loss to San Francisco provided at least a few encouraging signs.

Cowboys 27, Falcons 23

Abraham Nudelstejer

Over the last three games, the Cowboys' defense has allowed an average of 395.7 yards per player, making it one of the most vulnerable in the league. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​​​will use this to continue to establish himself as one of the NFL's best. Dak Prescott, who has six interceptions in the last three games, will continue to put in the effort to help his team shake off a two-game losing streak, but his efforts will be in vain. The Cowboys' ordeal doesn't seem to end in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium either.

Falcons 30, Cowboys 17

Kevin Sherrington

Dak Prescott's best competition has always been Kirk Cousins. Both have a career passer rating of 98.1. But this year, Cousins ​​is at 97.8 and Dak is at 84.5. Helps that Cousins ​​has a serviceable running game led by Bijan Robinson. Cousins ​​can get rattled, but first the Cowboys would have to build pressure. No, that doesn't work. Brock Purdy could have counted on 10 Mississippis on every dropback. The Cowboys' miserable season continues.

Falcons 27, Cowboys 20

Calvin Watkins

The Cowboys can't run, stop the run or force turnovers. Knowing this, will this team beat the Falcons? On the way? The Cowboys have three road wins this season, so that's good, right? Well, Kirk Cousins ​​will take care of business and the Falcons safeties will force a turnover in a high-scoring contest.

Falcons 31, Cowboys 20

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