Atlanta Falcons: A concern for Dallas Cowboys revealed

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle (21) runs with the ball against New York Giants cornerback D. Rodgers-Cromartie (41) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

One of the great parts of being on the FanSided network is the ability to speak to experts of the opposing team each week. As the Atlanta Falcons prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys, I spoke with Steven Mullenax, editor of our Cowboys’ site The Landry Hat. Here’s the questions I asked him.

The injury bug has been devastating for the Cowboys. Can they get by without Romo and Bryant and be in the hunt for the NFC East title in December?

SM: That’s the biggest question in Dallas and throughout Cowboys Nation right now. The truthful answer is no one knows. What we do know is that the Cowboys still possess one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Despite question surrounding every other area of the offense, the o-line being solid is a good foundation for everything else.

After the first two weeks of the regular season, Dallas’ defense and special teams play appear to be very much improved. If that trend continues, then the Cowboys should be reasonably competitive until their stars return.

Is there any concern with the Dallas run game right now?

SM: Yes, but I think this has been the case ever since the Cowboys opted not to re-sign running back DeMarco Murray in the offseason. Although I’m not sure even Murray could duplicate the numbers from last season without quarterback Tony Romo under center or wide recevier Dez Bryant drawing an extra defender out of the box.

Despite third-year running back Joseph Randle being the current starter, he hasn’t yet had a signature performance to cement him in that role. Veteran back Darren McFadden has seen his snaps increase in his first two games as a Cowboy. And Dallas’ traded for Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael, who has been a healthy scratch for the Cowboys the past two weeks. Dallas’ running game is very much a, fluid, week-to-week situation right now, unlike last year.

Next: What is the key matchup of the game?