What to Expect when Expecting Falcons

[jday]

The Dallas Cowboys travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to meet the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. With both clubs sitting at 4-5 and fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, the loser will face a six-game hole that may be too deep to overcome.

Longtime USC coach Steve Sarkisian is in his second season under Dan Quinn as the team’s offensive coordinator. With Sarkisian calling the plays, Atlanta has scored 30 or more points in four of their five home games.

The Flacons’ offense boasts fast and dangerous weapons at every skill position. The receiving corps, anchored by premier wideout Julio Jones, and the ground attack, led by the speedy Tevin Coleman, make this offense one of Dallas’s toughest challenges of 2018.

Here are some concepts the Cowboys and their fans can expect to see on Sunday.

Zone Runs

Much of the damage Atlanta inflicts on the ground comes from zone runs. These plays often rely upon angle, reach, and double team blocks to succeed.

One of their base run calls is the outside zone, where the offensive line moves laterally and in unison to create creases in the defensive front. This can be a highly effective run that’s easy to understand in overall concept but is nuanced in detail and takes a lot of practice to become proficient.

Read the rest here: https://www.cover1.net/dallas-cowboys-guess-the-gameplan-week-11-atlanta-falcons-offense/

 

[CCBoy]

The Dallas defensive line is pretty damaged as to injuries...and that may be a tough factor to overcome, here and now. The depth will be weak, up front for this game. Get the salt tablets out and tape 'em on the ouchies.

 

[ESisback]

The Dallas defensive line is pretty damaged as to injuries...and that may be a tough factor to overcome, here and now. The depth will be weak, up front for this game. Get the salt tablets out and tape 'em on the ouchies.

Yeah, what’s the injury report say? Who will we have?

 

[Flamma]

I'm hoping someone can keep the players intensity level up against the Falcons. But I'm half expecting them to come out flat. The Falcons are no easy team to beat at home and Dallas is going to need all the help they can get.

 

[jday]

The Dallas defensive line is pretty damaged as to injuries...and that may be a tough factor to overcome, here and now. The depth will be weak, up front for this game. Get the salt tablets out and tape 'em on the ouchies.

To win this one, roles will most likely have to flip. Up to this point, the Cowboys have been carried by their defense, but with that ailing front 7, the Falcons will find paydirt more than once. If ever there was a game where the Cowboys need the Dak to Cooper connection to take off, this would be the one.

 

[silvrNblue]

They are weak against the run, and weak at their corners... Dallas walks out with a win, a squeak it out win, but none the less..

 

[TheSkaven]

I suspect that Garrett's game plan will be to slow the game down and control the clock. I hate that idea. I'd go into this game with the mentality that we need to score on every drive and take advantage of the Falcons' weak secondary.

 

[Risen Star]

I suspect that Garrett's game plan will be to slow the game down and control the clock. I hate that idea. I'd go into this game with the mentality that we need to score on every drive and take advantage of the Falcons' weak secondary.

So you'd put the game on Dak Prescott over Ezekiel Elliott.

That seems intelligent.

 

[TexasHillbilly]

Matt Ryan can be a beast. He will hurt you without pressure. Our front 4 better be up for the challenge. Ryan can easily run up the score with Julio. They are quite the duo. We will see if Byron can handle him.

 

[Bobhaze]

To win this one, roles will most likely have to flip. Up to this point, the Cowboys have been carried by their defense, but with that ailing front 7, the Falcons will find paydirt more than once. If ever there was a game where the Cowboys need the Dak to Cooper connection to take off, this would be the one.

This. I think the key to this game, and maybe for the rest of the season will be the offense. Atlanta is going to score some points. They are a very good offense, especially at home. IMO, our offense needs to score between 28-35 points Sunday in Atlanta to win.

The NFL has become a league of offensive juggernauts (the playoff contenders) and anemic offenses (the playoff pretenders) The rest of this season will determine which one we are.

 

[cern]

the browns just beat them. right after a head coaching change.

 

[CATCH17]

They have a horrible pass defense.

We have a horrible pass offense.

Should be interesting.

 

[dcowboysfan76]

The Dallas defensive line is pretty damaged as to injuries...and that may be a tough factor to overcome, here and now. The depth will be weak, up front for this game. Get the salt tablets out and tape 'em on the ouchies.

I totally agree, I was hoping that David Irving would be available for this game (even though I knew it was wishful hoping). With his height and athleticism he could've brought the pressure up the middle and could've been disruptive. I think that if we give Ryan a clean pocket, he will have a field day.

 

[ESisback]

So you'd put the game on Dak Prescott over Ezekiel Elliott.

That seems intelligent.

No, just mix it up better! Lean on the run and pass SMARTER!

 

[conner01]

Run the ball and stop their running game
Convert 3rd downs and get off the field on their 3rd downs

 

[jazzcat22]

Yeah, what’s the injury report say? Who will we have?

https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/injury-report/

As of yesterday. Will see what happens today.
Wonder if some of these are sitting as a precaution until today.

Of course the Falcons will be healthy come game time. It never fails, and if Deion Lewis can play, that will be a huge boost to their defense.

 

[Risen Star]

No, just mix it up better! Lean on the run and pass SMARTER!

Zeke Elliott is averaging less than 20 carries a game.

I don't think you have any clue of what you're talking about.

 

[Batman1980]

This. I think the key to this game, and maybe for the rest of the season will be the offense. Atlanta is going to score some points. They are a very good offense, especially at home. IMO, our offense needs to score between 28-35 points Sunday in Atlanta to win.

The NFL has become a league of offensive juggernauts (the playoff contenders) and anemic offenses (the playoff pretenders) The rest of this season will determine which one we are.

No way we would've won this game with no Cooper. Might have to top the 40 we scored against Jacksonville to leave with a win.

 

[ESisback]

Zeke Elliott is averaging less than 20 carries a game.

I don't think you have any clue of what you're talking about.

I have my opinions. Apologies if they don’t match yours. You’re an Eagles fan, aren’t you?

 

[jday]

This. I think the key to this game, and maybe for the rest of the season will be the offense. Atlanta is going to score some points. They are a very good offense, especially at home. IMO, our offense needs to score between 28-35 points Sunday in Atlanta to win.

The NFL has become a league of offensive juggernauts (the playoff contenders) and anemic offenses (the playoff pretenders) The rest of this season will determine which one we are.

It's maddening because we all know the potential is there.

We've seen Zeke at his best and when he's playing at that level there is not a single running back I'd take over him. Period.

We've seen Dak be decisive and masterful in the pocket; albeit 2 years removed. But it's in there somewhere, the coaches need to figure out a way to pull that out of him again because I suspect their jobs depend on it.

We've seen Cooper be a beast that will literally break your corner....if Dak can start hitting him deep, the offense very well could be unstoppable...particularly up against a defense like the Falcons.

But they all have to put it together at the same time, something that we haven't seen much of lately. Here's hoping!