Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys Matchup Preview (11/14/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys Matchup Preview (11/14/21)

Count me as one of the many that didn’t expect much from the Atlanta Falcons under new head coach Arthur Smith. However, I’ve been fairly surprised thus far, as the team is 4-4 and technically in a playoff spot right now. Still, it’s worth noting that their competition hasn’t been stellar, with wins over the New York Jets, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and injury-riddled New Orleans Saints. QB Matt Ryan has silenced his doubters throughout the year, and his 343-yard, two-TD performance on Sunday in New Orleans is certainly something to build on. This week, we’ll get a real sense of just how talented the Falcons are when they face a team with one of the best records in the conference. 

The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, have had a head-scratching couple of weeks. After a big primetime win over the Minnesota Vikings with backup QB Cooper Rush at the helm, the team fell completely flat against the Denver Broncos, losing 30-16 and never seeming to have a grasp on the game. The Cowboys have to shake this off quickly, as they’re still 6-2 and in a great position in the NFC conference. What happens next hinges on their ability to forget a clunker and move on. With The Cowboys hosting the Falcons this Sunday, here is everything you need to know from a betting standpoint.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Odds

Last week snapped a 7-0 against the spread run for the Dallas Cowboys in a devastating fashion. How does the team respond? Well, I’m expecting a win over the Falcons, but the line has me skeptical. I’m seeing the Cowboys listed as 8.5-point favorites, not one of the most common lines you’ll see around. Personally, I see this as a high-scoring shootout for much of the game, as Dak Prescott gets back into form. 

Still, while I don’t believe Atlanta is going to punch a playoff ticket this season, they should be able to keep it close here. The team is settling into an offensive groove even without WR Calvin Ridley, and that will challenge the Dallas defense all day long. The constant threat of the Dallas offense will force the Falcons to air it out often in this one, and they’ll find some success in the passing game. The Cowboys get a much-needed bounceback win again but fail to cover the spread for the second straight week in a row.

My predictions: Cowboys win 31-24, Falcons +8.5, over 54.5 points

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, September 14
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX
TV Coverage: FOX

Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys Live Stream

Where can you watch Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys Free Online Now.

Injuries

Atlanta Falcons: DE Jonathan Bullard (concussion) Q, C Josh Andrews (personal) Q, LB Steven Means (knee) Q, WR Calvin Ridley (personal) O, P Cameron Nizialek (hamstring) IR
Dallas Cowboys:  T Tyron Smith (ankle) Q, WR Michael Gallup (calf) IR, DE DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) IR, TE Blake Jarwin (hip) IR, LB Jabril Cox (knee) IR

Atlanta Falcons Analysis

Starting 4-4 in one of the toughest divisions in the league is no simple task. However, it’s still difficult to tell if this team is just an opportunistic paper tiger. If nothing else, QB Matt Ryan has to be happy with his 14th season in the league, as he’s completing nearly 70% of his passes with 15 TDs and six picks. He’s been spreading the ball around this season and making a major connection with rookie right end Kyle Pitts. 

I heard someone say running back Cordarelle Patterson should be getting MVP consideration this season. And, while I doubt he will, you could definitely call him the team’s MVP. Patterson is leading the team in rushing yards and catches, totaling 824 yards and seven scores. The running back is a true Swiss Army Knife, and he’ll present a consistent threat to opposing defenses every week.

When it comes to defense, I think it’s fair to say the Falcons are tremendously average. The team ranks 17th in the league in total defense, allowing 360.5 yards per game. However, the amount of points they’re allowing per game is alarming. The D needs to tighten things up in the end zone, as they’ve been allowing 27.5 points per game. Additionally, the Falcons desperately need to work on pass rush and turnovers, with only 11 interceptions and three picks in their eight games this season. Facing a powerhouse offense this Sunday could be disastrous for the Dirty Birds.

Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart

QB: Matt Ryan
RB1: Cordarrelle Patterson 
RB2: Mike Davis
WR1: Tajae Sharpe
WR2: Russell Gage
WR3: Olamide Zaccheaus
TE1: Kyle Pitts

Dallas Cowboys Analysis

Was last week a fluke or a sign of deeper issues with the Dallas Cowboys? For now, I’m going with the former. In hindsight, the team would have probably benefited from giving QB Dak Prescott another week of rest and starting QB Cooper Rush once more. However, what’s done is done, and Prescott will need to recapture his level of play from the first half of the season if the Cowboys want a strong postseason run. 

I’m more puzzled about the team abandoning the run on Sunday. RB Ezekiel Elliot only had 10 carries in the game for 51 yards. Elliott has had an up-and-down season for sure, with highs like the 143 yards against the Carolina Panthers and lows like the 33 yards in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Whether it’s playcalling or Zeke himself, I’d like to see a bit more consistency in this run game. Still, facing a defense that allows 123.1 yards per game on the ground has to be refreshing for the star running back. 

The Dallas defense hasn’t been as weak as I expected this season. They’re currently fielding a Top 10 defensive unit and allowing 371.5 total yards per game. For a unit many expected could rank in the bottom five overall, that’s not too shabby. Much of this is thanks to a pair of young defensive stars in LB Micah Parsons and CB Trevon Diggs. Parsons leads the team with 10 tackles for loss along with five sacks while Diggs leads his squad with seven interceptions and 12 passes defended. The two are flipping the narrative on this defensive unit, and that will prove valuable as the team fights back into the playoffs.

Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart

QB: Dak Prescott
RB1: Ezekiel Elliott
RB2: Tony Pollard
WR1: Amari Cooper
WR2: CeeDee Lamb
WR3: Cedrick Wilson
TE1: Dalton Schultz

Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys Daily Fantasy Picks

I spent an entire paragraph singing the praise of Cordarelle Patterson, and for good reason. The versatile running back is coming off a 126-yard receiving game against the New Orleans Saints and leads the team in two major offensive categories. With WR Calvin Ridley on leave, Patterson will continue to get targets, and he’ll prove extremely useful t the offense when the Falcons travel to JerryWorld. Patterson is currently listed at $6,600 on DraftKings.