(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys came into Sunday knowing their game against the Falcons was a statement game, and the Cowboys made one on both sides of the ball as they claimed a convincing, 37-21 victory.
The Cowboys' defense gave up a touchdown on an 80-yard drive by the Falcons to start the game, but gave up little else throughout. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had a rough day as he went 19-of-35 passing for 198 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Ryan was sacked just twice all season coming into this game, but the Cowboys' defensive line housed the Falcons' front line and sacked Ryan four times. DeMarcus Ware sacked Ryan twice and forced a fumble that linebacker Anthony Spencer recovered, and the Cowboys scored on the next play when Tony Romo found Miles Austin for a 59-yard catch-and-run.
Second-year corners Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins each had an interception, and the Falcons gained only 298 yards total on offense. Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff also had one sack apiece, and a Cowboys defense that had trouble generating turnovers and sacks early in the season recorded four sacks, two picks, and three forced fumbles against the Falcons.
The Cowboys offense shined just as brightly as the sun did in Arlington yesterday.
Romo had his second consecutive 300-yard game as he went 21-of-29 for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Romo also didn't throw an interception for the second straight game.
Austin made the best of his promotion this week, catching six balls for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons' corners couldn't stay with him and were called for holding on two plays, including Austin's 22-yard touchdown catch.
Patrick Crayton, who was demoted to the third receiver spot, caught a five-yard touchdown just before halftime after Romo escaped the Falcons' entire four-man rush and found Crayton wide open in the back of the end zone. In the fourth, Crayton put the game on ice when he returned a punt 77 yards for a score.
Tight end Jason Witten had five catches for 53 yards, and Martellus Bennett also got into the game with three catches for 38 yards.
The Cowboys running game combined for 28 carries for 115 yards. Marion Barber was the high man for Dallas with 14 carries for 47 yards. Felix Jones had eight carries for 37 yards. Surprisingly, Tashard Choice didn't have a carry after owner Jerry Jones said that Choice would be the starter this week. Romo scrambled six times for 31 yards.
The Cowboys have some soft games coming up with Seattle, Green Bay, Washington, and Oakland coming in the next five weeks. If they can build off this win, the Cowboys can really gain some position in the NFC East, as well as in the NFC.
The Cowboys need to stay consistent, though; next week's game against the Seattle Seahawks has "trap game" written all over it. They better take advantage now, because, come December, they're going to be fighting for their playoff lives.
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