Atlanta Falcons: Cool, Calm, and Collected for Dallas

The Atlanta Falcons are preparing to face the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington for their Week 3 matchup. Both Atlanta and Dallas enter Week 3 undefeated at 2-0.

The vibes emanating from Flowery Branch in the days leading up to the Atlanta Falcons’ road game at AT&T Stadium with the Dallas Cowboys are cool, calm, and collected. Though both teams have the same record, Dallas has had the worst luck of arguably any team in the NFL with injuries in the first two weeks. The Cowboys will be without QB Tony Romo, WR Dez Bryant, and possibly TE Jason Witten against Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.

However, this does not mean that the Atlanta Falcons are taking a depleted Cowboys team for granted. Atlanta is only favored by a point on the road against a team still likely bound to return to the NFC Playoffs.

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When asked about how the Atlanta Falcons defense will adjust without Dallas’ stars on offense, DC Richard Smith was quick to point out how talented the Cowboys’ offensive line is. Coach Smith believes that Dallas OT Tyron Smith is one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL. Richard Smith then gave credit to Dallas’ other strong receivers in WR Terrance Williams, WR Cole Beasley, and TE Gavin Escobar, knowing that they will be primary targets in Dallas’ new look offense.

Even with the Cowboys no longer having DeMarco Murray at tailback, Smith expects to see a varied rushing attack with Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle, and Darren McFadden. Dallas may opt to run the football more often in Tony Romo‘s absence and with new starting QB Brandon Weeden under center.

HC Dan Quinn realizes the challenges of game planning for a passer like Brandon Weeden ,who has limited tape from his time as a backup in Dallas. Quinn feels that his defense will game plan around Dallas’ offensive scheme rather than Weeden’s skill set. Coach Q doesn’t believe that any footage of Weeden’s stint in Cleveland will indicate how he will perform on frankly a superior team in Dallas than when he was with the Browns.

Where I think Atlanta is ahead of the curve here in preparing to face the Dallas Cowboys on the road is that the Falcons understand that Dallas’ defense is one of the best in the NFL through two weeks. The Cowboys are number one against the run and number three overall in total yards allowed. This could present a problem for the Atlanta Falcons’ rushing attack with rookie Tevin Coleman certainly out with a fractured rib. Dallas is also eighth in pass defense which could make it harder than expected to move the ball through the air against this team.

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The Atlanta Falcons’ staff knows that the Dallas Cowboys’ defense is better when its best player LB Sean Lee is on the field. Smith likes his versatility and speed at linebacker. As a revered LB coach for most of his NFL career, I trust Richard Smith in his judgement to say Lee is back to full strength for the Cowboys.

What I’m getting from the Atlanta Falcons entering Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys is that the Dirty Birds don’t feel like the road favorites. However, they do have confidence to compete on the road against a tough opponent. The injury bug that has decimated the Cowboys’ offense is not affecting how the Atlanta Falcons handle their business and prepare for the Dallas Cowboys.

At full strength, Dallas is the better team, but Atlanta certainly has a great opportunity to move to 3-0 against injury-plagued Cowboys team. Expect the game to again come down to the final possession for the Atlanta Falcons. The spread is one point, it could absolutely go either way in Week 3 down in Big D.

Next: Jacob Tamme: Impact Player for Falcons in 2015?

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