Atlanta Falcons: 3 Toughest Matchups in 2015
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Week 3: @ Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFC’s top teams, and for good reason. After putting many of their defensive woes of 2013 behind them, the Cowboys powered to a 12-4 record and narrowly missed out on a place in the NFC Championship Game.
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is tackled by Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) in the second half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
A victory on the road to the Packers would have sent them to Seattle, a place they had already won at in 2014, for a chance to play in the Super Bowl.
Since then, they have lost a major piece to their 2014 success in DeMarco Murray — Murray was the rushing champion with 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Can the strong offensive line help Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle combine for similar success in 2015? That’s one of the biggest questions surrounding the Cowboys.
RELATED: Previewing the Falcons-Cowboys matchup
One thing is for sure, they have essentially added three first round picks this offseason. They selected cornerback Byron Jones with the 27th overall pick, before picking up Randy Gregory in the second round and La’el Collins as an undrafted free agent.
Some believed edge rusher Gregory could be selected in the top-15, but off-the-field issues hurt his draft stock allowing Dallas to take him at the bottom of the second. Again, it was off-the-field worries that let offensive lineman Collins, regarded as one of the draft’s top prospects, go undrafted and subsequently picked up by the Cowboys.
As if their offensive line needed more firepower.
This is going to be one of the toughest games on the Falcons’ schedule, and it comes early in Week 3.
Next: A true test for the pass defense