The Cowboys are staring over the edge into the abyss as they head to Atlanta with a 3-4 record. A third defeat in a row could very well be the final nail in the coffin of this season, and they will have to fight for victory while still missing some of their best players. Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland are still out, and Trevon Diggs is also a decision in the match.

That makes it even more difficult against a Falcons team that is really on a roll. Yet Atlanta is only favored when it comes to three points. Can the Cowboys get it done? Let’s see what our writers think.

When Atlanta has the ball

Blitz, baby, blitz

The Falcons offense is booming right now, and Kirk Cousins ​​has been especially great after taking his first few weeks to get acclimated to his new offense. When you break down his game, there are very few weaknesses at this point, but there is one area where the quarterback has struggled: the blitz.

Cousins ​​ranks in the top 10 in quarterback efficiency when you take into account virtually every type of game scenario except when he’s facing a blitz. There, he drops to 20th in EPA/dropback, 23rd in completion percentage and 24th in passer rating. Teams have rarely beaten Cousins ​​this year, although his former head coach and pseudo-enemy Mike Zimmer is currently committing fouls at the 10th highest rate in the league. Zimmer should turn that up to 11 this week and see how Cousins ​​handles it; after all, he looked invincible in every other way this year.

When Dallas has the ball

Air it out

The Falcons defense has struggled all year, especially against the pass. There are a few reasons for that, but it starts with them being last in both pressure and sacks. Atlanta doesn’t get to the quarterback, but they also give up open receivers in their zone-heavy coverage scheme.

That’s good news for a Cowboys passing attack that has struggled to create separation against man coverage. Dak Prescott has been better against zone than man coverage this year, and giving him time to sit back and find the open man makes it even easier (at least in theory). Prescott should be able to excel against this secondary.

Now on to your BTB writers’ predictions…

Tom Ryle (4-3):

This is simple for me. The Cowboys don’t seem to know how to win anymore. Nothing really works for them, and there’s no sign that they have any idea how to handle their multiple problems.

I don’t see that changing and I think the Falcons will win about 27-19 because of this.

Matt Holleran (3-4):

It’s hard to be confident in anything about the Cowboys right now. Offense, defense and special teams all have their own issues and things that have gone wrong. The Cowboys face a beatable opponent this week in the Falcons, but there’s just no way we can feel confident enough as a team to pick them. I see Atlanta having a big day on the field and both offenses putting up a lot of points. The Cowboys show some fight, but ultimately can’t get it done.

Give me the Falcons, 30-24.

Jess Haynie (5-2):

Bijan Robinson hasn’t racked up more than 150 yards receiving since Week 2 of his rookie season and has never scored more than two touchdowns in a game. I think both numbers are beaten because his versatile skill set makes life easy for Atlanta against a crippled Dallas defense. If the Cowboys offense continues to sputter like it has been, the Falcons will be able to lean on Robinson just like the Saints did with Alvin Kamara.

Falcons 34, Cowboys 20.

Brandon Loree (4-3)

The Cowboys walk into Sunday’s game with a bare cupboard in the corner. DaRon Bland has already been ruled out and Trevon Diggs has been dealing with a calf injury all week, uncertain for Sunday. Caelen Carson should return to action, but being away for so long and being a rookie could be a tough matchup against a Falcons offense that is finding its feet.

Atlanta’s offense under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson uses movement at the third-highest clip in the league (41%) per NFL Pro. Movement can really hurt the lack of death in the corner for a team that has quickly given up the most EPA per play versus movement in the NFL.

For that reason, I have to pick the Falcons on this one to win by two touchdowns, 35-21.

Mike Poland (3-4):

Atlanta’s defense ranks last in total sacks; they produce very little pressure. They also rank last in completion percentage allowed at a whopping 73%. The Falcons defense is also allowing the fifth-most passing touchdowns and has allowed the third-worst third-down conversion rate. What does this all mean? They are a team that fails to stop the pass, something the Cowboys offense is not bad at.

Cowboys win 31-21.

Dana Bartholomew (5-2):

This should be a game where the Dak and these receivers can find success in the passing game. However, Kirk Cousins ​​is having a very good season and the Atlanta offense may be too much for this injured Dallas defense. Especially since it appears players like Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland still aren’t ready to return.

I’m going with the Falcons 28-21.

Brian Martin (4-3):

Starting with the Falcons this week, the Cowboys have a tough four-game stretch ahead of them. They probably need to win at least two of these games to keep their playoff hopes alive, making this Week 9 matchup almost a must-win for them.

Atlanta is a very beatable team, but Dallas will have to cut down on turnovers and play much better all-around to earn the “W.” Unfortunately, I think Kirk Cousins ​​and Company will be too much for them.

Give me the Falcons 27-24 in a minute.

RJ Ochoa (6-1):

Let me be very clear when I say that I don’t believe in this Dallas Cowboys team, but I do think they can surprise us every now and then. This team is broken in a number of ways, but I think it’s important to note that they haven’t lost three games in a row in four years. Atlanta has potential, don’t get me wrong, but they also seem to thrive on playing in the middle of the chaos and opening the door for opponents to steal one. I think the Cowboys will walk through that door this week.

Give me Dallas, 19-17.

David Howman (4-3):

I don’t have any confidence in the Cowboys right now. Players seem to be quitting, Dak Prescott is not looking good and Jerry Jones never misses an opportunity to further undermine his lame duck head coach. That’s all a recipe for bad football.

That said, the Falcons have been shaky at home, where they have suffered all three losses this year. Not to mention that their two home wins totaled eight points, one of which came in extra time. I think this ends up being closer than it should be, but the Falcons win thanks to a last-second winning drive from Kirk Cousins.

Falcons win, 28-27.