The Falcons started the season off like the NFC defending champs they are, going 3-0 from the get-go. But now that we’re in the back half of the 2017 season, Atlanta is just 1-4 straight up and 0-5 against the spread over their last five times out. Will the Falcons turn things around at home when the Dallas Cowboys visit them this Sunday afternoon in Atlanta?
The Dallas Cowboys come into this game off a huge win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but that won’t be the talking point coming into this game. The talking point will once again be about Ezekiel Elliott and if he will be able to play in this game, or if his suspension will actually stick this time.
There is another court date this week, and if the court upholds the suspension he might be out of blocks, and might actually have to start serving the suspension. For the Cowboys their strength is on the offensive side of the ball. They are currently averaging 28.2 points per game which is 4th in the NFL.
The defensive side of the ball hasn’t been terrible, but it also hasn’t been very good. They are currently giving up 22.2 points per game which is 15th in the NFL. To win this game they need to make life tough on Matt Ryan and the Falcons in this one. They need to keep them out of the end zone, and hold them to field goals and they should have a good chance.
On the other side of this match up is the Atlanta Falcons who seem to still be dealing with the hangover from losing to the New England Patriots in the last Super Bowl.
After winning three of the first four games of the season, the Falcons have only won one game in the last four games.
The defense hasn’t been great, but this team was never built to be a great defensive team. They were always built to be a great offensive team, and they haven’t been that so far this year. Coming into this game they are only averaging 21.2 points per game which is 17th in the NFL.
Quarterback Matt Ryan’s stats don’t look bad, but they have been settling for a lot more field goals this year, instead of finishing drives with touchdowns.The Cowboys know how to score, so the defense is going to need to be good, but the offense is going to need to keep putting the ball in the end zone.
They can’t settle for field goals, or they will be the team upset in this game, and they will slip below the .500 mark and their chances for the playoffs will take a huge hit.
Writer’s Prediction:
I am really surprised to see the Cowboys are the underdogs in this game. They come into this game off a huge win, and I think they will use that momentum in this game. Their defense will cause the Falcons offense to struggle again, and the offense will do just enough to win a very close game. Pick: Dallas (+3)
