Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys: Full Game Preview

Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches a pass while being defended by New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Why to watch

Can the Falcons start 3-0 for the first time since 2012? The last two times they achieved that, they reached the NFC Championship Game. Let’s not get carried away, though.

But that aside, this is a great opportunity for the Falcons to make a strong start in a potential playoff push. It’s too early to start looking across the NFC at playoff standings, but the NFC East is a mess right now. Dallas has been hit with the injury bug, New York and Washington are both 1-2 and Philadelphia is 0-2 with a road trip to the 2-0 Jets up next.

In the NFC North, Minnesota sits in second at 1-1. Detroit—a playoff team in 2014—is 0-2, which is the same record owned by the Chicago Bears. Arizona has started well at 2-0, but Seattle is 0-2.

Again, it’s way too early to be looking at potential playoff implications a win would have, but it would still be a major boost for the Falcons. Winning the opening three games, all against NFC opponents with two on the road, would be a dream start. Can they pull it off?

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