ATLANTA — Kirk Cousins delivered a stellar performance by throwing three touchdown passes, leading the Atlanta Falcons to a 27-21 win over the struggling Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. This victory keeps the Falcons firmly in first place in the NFC South, while the Cowboys faced their third consecutive defeat, compounded by the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott due to a hamstring injury.
Cousins completed 19 of 24 passes for 222 yards, showcasing his accuracy as he recorded 13 consecutive completions during the game. He threw touchdown passes of 9 yards to Drake London, 36 yards to Darnell Mooney, and 11 yards to Ray-Ray McCloud, marking the third time this season that Cousins achieved three touchdown passes while playing for Atlanta. Tyler Allgeier contributed to the Falcons’ fifth win in their last six games by powering into the end zone from 6 yards out with just over 11 minutes left in the game.
In the absence of Prescott, Cooper Rush stepped in and attempted to guide a comeback for the Cowboys, completing 18 of 24 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. Rush orchestrated an impressive 86-yard drive in the final minutes, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert, which was followed by a successful two-point conversion. However, the Falcons managed to recover an onside kick, effectively sealing their victory.
This latest defeat marks the longest losing streak for Dallas since a four-game stretch during the 2020 season, a year they finished with a dismal 6-10 record. Currently, the Cowboys have matched their loss total from each of the past three seasons, signaling that they might be headed for another disappointing record in 2024.
Following this performance, Coach Mike McCarthy faces increased scrutiny, especially considering a failed fake punt, a fourth-down sweep by receiver CeeDee Lamb that resulted in a loss, and miscommunication in the defensive backfield that allowed Mooney to score. Additionally, the Dallas offensive line struggled, allowing three sacks to a defense that had previously recorded the fewest in the league through the first eight weeks.
The Falcons faced challenges of their own, losing top receiver Drake London in the first quarter after he fell hard on his right hip while making a catch. Despite riding an exercise bike on the sidelines to warm up, he was ruled out for the rest of the game by halftime. Mooney and McCloud stepped up, with Mooney contributing five catches for 88 yards and McCloud securing his first touchdown of the season.
Bijan Robinson continued to shine for the Falcons, rushing 19 times for 86 yards and leading the team with seven catches for 59 yards. Injury updates revealed that Lamb briefly exited the game with a right shoulder issue but returned to the field. Safety Juanyeh Thomas was checked for a possible concussion, while left tackle Tyler Guyton, who suffered a neck injury, was cleared to return. Notable absences for the Cowboys included defensive end Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot). Meanwhile, the Falcons lost defensive lineman Grady Jarrett to an Achilles strain, and linebacker Troy Andersen missed his fifth consecutive game due to a knee issue.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will return home next Sunday to host the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East clash, while the Falcons are set to travel to New Orleans next Sunday to battle the Saints after having won their earlier encounter 26-24 on September 29.