Talk about a tale of two halves. The Dallas Cowboys came out hot and went up 14-0 after their first two drives in the first quarter. They were up 28-14 at the end of the first half. Many started to believe that the Falcons looked like pretenders after two quarters, but with key adjustments made in the locker room at half, the team came out firing on all cylinders.
The Falcons dominated the Cowboys in the second half, beating them 22-0. The offense was on fire, and Devonta Freeman had a career game. He had 30 carries for 141 yards with three touchdowns. He also had 5 receptions for 52 yards out of the backfield and had key 3rd down conversions. Atlanta played without starting running back Tevin Coleman, and it looked like it had no effect. Devonta Freeman had an incredible game, and looks to be a legitimate starting running back in the NFL.
Matt Ryan carried his team today, and his favorite target was none other than Julio Jones. Jones once again proved why people have labeled him the best wide receiver in the NFL. Jones had 12 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Ryan hit Julio Jones on a cross down the field for a 45-yard touchdown, and all the momentum swung right to Atlanta. One knock on the receiving corps is that without Jones, the other wide receivers only had four catches. Roddy White was shut out once again, but Freeman helped out with his five receptions.
The defense looked absolutely awful in the first half, and there is no other way to say it. But in the second half, they played beautiful football. Even though the Cowboys offense was without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, the Falcons defense played perfect football in the second half. It seemed like it was three-and-out every possession for the Cowboys, and that was because the defense played perfect assignment football. The Cowboys punted three out of their four possessions in the second half, and had a turnover on downs on their last possession.
The Atlanta Falcons are showing why they are contenders, as they are still undefeated. Being the road team is hard on any team, and they are now 2-0 on the road. They are also 3-0 against the NFC East, and they look to sweep their division when they play the Washington Redskins in Week 5. Dan Quinn and the coaching staff made key adjustments at halftime, and it showed when the Falcons shut down every facet of the Cowboys offense and defense. Atlanta is still undefeated, and look to continue to add another win against the Houston Texans next week.
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Photographer: Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire