Falcons 27-21 Cowboys (November 3, 2024) Game Recap

ATLANTA – Anyone who has watched the Atlanta Falcons over the past few seasons could see their biggest flaw.

The lack of a top-notch quarterback.

Kirk Cousins ​​was exactly what they needed.

Cousins ​​threw three more touchdown passes and the Falcons solidified their position in first place in the NFC South with a 27-21 victory Sunday over the struggling Dallas Cowboys, who suffered their third straight setback and quarterback Dak Prescott lost due to a hamstring injury.

Cousins ​​completed 19 of 24 passes for 222 yards, including 13 in a row at one point for the Falcons (6-3). He scored 9 yards to Drake London, 36 yards to Darnell Mooney and 11 yards to Ray-Ray McCloud, the third three-TD game of the quarterback's debut season with Atlanta.

When asked what the 36-year-old Cousins ​​brings to the team, McCloud didn't hesitate.

“Knowledge, attitude, never lets us get complacent, even when he’s not on his game,” the receiver said. “It’s just a blessing to have a vet like that. He’s like he has a different coach on the field.”

Cousins ​​sensed such potential in Atlanta when he signed a four-year, $180 million contract as a free agent.

He's not ready to celebrate yet, but it's clear he's starting to feel like something special is building on a team that hasn't had a winning season since 2017 and has struggled mightily in the post-Matt Ryan era to decide on a quarterback.

“There’s a lot to look forward to when it comes to the city and how we can all come together,” Cousins ​​said. “It takes a week at a time to get there and see where you are in February.”

Tyler Allgeier capped the Falcons' fifth win in six games by driving from 6 yards into the end zone with just over 11 minutes left.

The Cowboys (3-5) tried to rally behind Cooper Rush after Prescott was ruled out after completing 18 of 24 for 133 yards and a touchdown.

Rush led an 86-yard drive in the final minutes, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert and a 2-point conversion. But the Falcons recovered with an onside kick and secured the win.

It is the longest losing streak for Dallas since four games in the 2020 season, which is also the last time the Cowboys will finish with a losing record (6-10). They have already matched their loss total from each of the last three seasons.

Coach Mike McCarthy believes he will be under even more pressure after this performance. These included a fake punt that had no chance, a fourth-down sweep by receiver CeeDee Lamb that was rolled for a 3-yard loss, and a botched coverage. The three defensive backs clashed with each other, leaving Mooney in his touchdown catch all by himself.

Finally, Dallas' offensive line gave up three sacks to a team that came into the game with an NFL-worst six sacks through the first eight weeks.

“We've had five losses, so we know exactly where that takes us and what it takes,” McCarthy said. “We must achieve victory.”

As if they didn't have enough problems, the Cowboys now have to worry about Prescott's health. He plans to have an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the damage to his hamstring muscles.

“This is something I’ve never felt before,” Prescott said. “I went to see the medical team and asked if I could make it any worse. At that point they said I couldn’t protect myself and called to stop me.”

Atlanta lost its top receiver in the first quarter when London landed hard on his right hip after hauling in Cousins' game-winning pass.

Mooney and McCloud stepped in to fill the void. Mooney had five catches for 88 yards while McCloud scored his first touchdown of the season early in the third quarter to make the score 21-10.

“Everyone in our room is ready when their number is called,” McCloud said.

Bijan Robinson had another big day for the Falcons as he caught 19 balls for 86 yards and a team-high seven balls for 59 yards.

Ellis is key to the Falcons defense

Kaeden Ellis wasn't all over the field.

It just seemed that way.

The Falcons linebacker had a team-high 13 tackles, including a sack and the stop in the backfield on Lamb that slowed the Cowboys on fourth down.

For his efforts, Ellis received a game ball from coach Raheem Morris.

“At the end of the day, you want to go out and help the team win,” Ellis said. “Raheem always says that statistics are for losers, so I think it’s important to go out and help this team and get a win for this city.”

Injury report

Cowboys: S Juanyeh Thomas limped to the locker room to be checked for a possible concussion. … LT Tyler Guyton left the team with a neck injury but was allowed to return.

Falcons: DL Grady Jarrett left the game with a strained Achilles tendon. … LB Troy Andersen (knee) missed his fifth straight game, while C Drew Dalman (ankle) has now missed six straight games.

Next

Cowboys: Return home next Sunday to host the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East showdown.

Falcons: Travel to New Orleans next Sunday to take on the Saints. Atlanta won the first meeting between the NFC South rivals 26:24 on September 29th.

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