Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys: Tale of the tape

The quarterbacks

This was set to be a battle between two of the league’s best quarterbacks in Matt Ryan and Tony Romo, but Romo broke his collarbone last week and will miss at least eight weeks. In steps Brandon Weeden. He’s no slouch, but Ryan is clearly the better of the two and tilts the field in Atlanta’s favor.

Selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Weeden underwhelmed in his first two seasons and was released. The Cowboys signed him and made him the backup to Romo in the 2014 season. He featured in five games last year, completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 303 yards, three touchdowns and two picks.

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Weeden played in relief of Romo against the Eagles last week and was impressive, completing all seven of his passes for 73 yards and a score. Can he keep the Cowboys’ offense humming against a rebuilding Falcons’ defense?

Next: The offenses