birdz4i Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 The Atlanta Falcons (2-0) and Dallas Cowboys (2-0) match up on Sunday in what should have been the marquee game of Week 3.Unfortunately, Cowboys starters Tony Romo and Dez Bryant are sidelined with injuries.Etiher way, a battle between undefeated NFC teams will always be exciting, and this game features defensive units playing better football than expected. The Cowboys are hoping that backup quarterback Bradon Weeden's impressive Week 2 performance can carry over to a full game. The Falcons want to keep things rolling with a heavy dose of Julio Jones on offense and a defense that swarms to the ball.Here are three keys to the game for both the Falcons and Cowboys.Can you beat the Crowd's Line? Submit your final score prediction below. Good luck!Falcons:1. Pressure WeedenNo Romo, no Bryant. The Falcons have to be happy to be facing Weeden, simply because it means Romo is nowhere to be found. Even though Weeden is the backup in Dallas, the Falcons still need to find a way to get pressure in his face. The less time Weeden has to react, the more likely it is that he turns the ball over. Throughout his career Weeden has thrown 28 interceptions. In his lone season as a full-time starter, he threw 14 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. Atlanta needs to force turnovers.2. Don't give up on the run gameThe Falcons will be without starting running back Tevin Coleman, who was off to a good start in 2015. This means that second-year RB Devonta Freeman will get the nod. Things didn't go so well for Freeman last week, as he rushed 12 times for 25 yards. He did find the end zone, but whether it is Freeman or backup Antone Smith, the Falcons need to find a way to run the ball against the Cowboys. The more, and better they run the ball, the easier life gets for Matt Ryan and Jones.3. Find a way to get Jones the ballThis is obviously easier said than done, especially when a defense keys in on a single player, but the Falcons have to find a way. Jones is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and his connection with Ryan can't be understated. After a nine-catch, 141 yard performance with two scores in Week 1, Atlanta was still able to keep Jones rolling in Week 2, as he caught 13 balls for 135 yards. Jones will once again be the key to success offensively in Week 3.Cowboys:1. Get Weeden into a rhythmAlthough Weeden had a strong showing in relief of Romo, he struggled in his one opportunity to start during the 2014 regular season. Since entering the NFL, Weeden has struggled with diagnosing defenses and making the correct reads against the blitz. The Falcons defense keeps everything underneath, and the Cowboys would be smart to design short passing plays for Weeden to get the ball in the hands of his skill position players in space.2. Use bracket coverage on JonesIn Week 1, the Cowboys used a defensive strategy specifically designed to take Odell Beckham Jr. out of the game. As a result, Beckham finished with 44 yards on five catches, and the entire Giants offense stalled. Jones has accounted for 276 yards of offense and two touchdowns through two weeks. If the Cowboys can take him out of the game, it takes the Falcons out of their comfort zone.3. Get tight end Gavin Escobar involvedThrough two weeks, the Falcons have had trouble containing tight ends Zach Ertz and Larry Donnell -- the two have combined for seven catches, 74 yards and a touchdown. Now that the Cowboys are without Bryant, and starting tight end Jason Witten is playing hurt, it's time to get Escobar more involved on offense.http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/six-points-falcons-vs-cowboys-092515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky_Tom Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 "whether it is Freeman or backup Antone Smith"Well done there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Tone is still our backup huh? smh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThePiszOuttaTheBall Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Yeah, but we have to find a way to stop Roger Staubach when they have the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 since when is 7 cathces, 74 yards and 1 touchdown OVER TWO WEEKS struggling to cover the tight end? lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotlanta Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 "Through two weeks, the Falcons have had trouble containing tight ends Zach Ertz and Larry Donnell -- the two have combined for seven catches, 74 yards and a touchdown. "That's around 3-4 catches for a whooping 37 yards per game... Seems like we've contained the TE pretty well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
direwolf Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Seven catches for 74 yards and one touchdown in two weeks makes us vulnerable to tight ends? Not any more than any other team, I'd say.And yeah, man, do your homework. A. Smith got an injury settlement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayOzOne Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 "whether it is Freeman or backup Antone Smith"Well done there.Yep. Couldn't finish after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdBrain53 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 If they bracket Julio that's gonna leave Roddy and Hank in single coverage....we'll eat them alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etherdome Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 I feel good about the game, but I am not confident that we will run away with it. Although the Cowboys are missing their top two receiving threats and their franchise QB, they still have the best OL in the league and a very good defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolute Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Horrible write up. No research done...and false info. Nothing to see here. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maorifalcon Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 I like everyone else lol at the antone smith...zero cred after that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Negatorris Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Gavin Escobar involvedThrough two weeks, the Falcons have had trouble containing tight ends Zach Ertz and Larry Donnell -- the two have combined for seven catches, 74 yards and a touchdown. Now that the Cowboys are without Bryant, and starting tight end Jason Witten is playing hurt, it's time to get Escobar more involved on offense.http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/six-points-falcons-vs-cowboys-092515The part about us having trouble with TEs is very stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GATXBOI Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 If they bracket Julio that's gonna leave Roddy and Hank in single coverage....we'll eat them alive.Also Tamme and toilolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACK4ttACK Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Underrated? or just misunderstood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguebeaver Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Ill take a Falcons win any day...dog gone it if we can only win by 6 and we have all our starters, well folks, there it is.,.,reason for no spect!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stizz Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Also Tamme and toiloloToilolo isn't a threat in the passing game, but sure for Tamme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chifalc Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 'That's easier said than done'Isn't the evidence so far from this season instead 'that's easier done than said?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vent King Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Who wrote this ish? D-Led?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Dog Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Falcons 27 _ Dallas 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarterback Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 A wounded animal can be very dangerous to encounter.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsFanSince194eva Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 A wounded animal can be very dangerous to encounter....Not if that animal lost three legs, two eyes, and half of their teeth are knocked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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