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The Cowboys came into this game unsure of where they stood in this 2009 season. Their two losses had been close ones to teams that, at the time, were undefeated. And, their three wins were against the hapless Buccaneers, Panthers and Chiefs, who combined had only managed to win two games.
The question over the last two weeks of the bye was could the Cowboys beat a contending team? Atlanta provided the perfect challenge, coming into the game with a 4-1 record.
But in front of 81,521 fans, Dallas perhaps showed they were for real this year, handling the Falcons in all aspects of the game for a convincing 37-21 victory.
The Cowboys racked up 414 yards of total offense, quarterback Tony Romo completing 21 of 29 passes for 311 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Coming off his big game last week, Miles Austin pulled in 171 yards off of six receptions with two scores, while the ground game combined for 115 yards.
David Buehler got the game going with a touchback, giving Atlanta possession on their own 20. Quarterback Matt Ryan rolled out to his right and found tight end Tony Gonzalez for a quick six-yard reception, then went right back to the same target on the left side for five yards and the first down.
Running back Michael Turner took his first handoff of the day, but only managed one yard. Turner then tried to go around the right end, but was stopped after another one-yard pickup. On third and eight, Ryan found fullback Verron Haynes in the left flat for a 10-yard catch and a first down at the Falcons' 43.
Ryan again rolled out to his right, but unable to find an open receiver, took it himself, stepping out of bounds after a six-yard gain. Turner added two more yards before running back Jason Snelling fought his way up the middle for three yards and a first down at the Dallas 46.
The Falcons tried a flee-flicker, but under heavy pressure, Ryan threw the ball out of bounds. A quick out to Roddy White earned seven with the quarterback finding receiver Brian Finneran on a slant for a 17-yard completion and a first down at the Cowboys' 22.
Turner slipped one tackle in the backfield, picking up three with Snelling then going up the middle for a gain of 15 yards and a first and goal at the four-yard line. Scrambling, Ryan threw the ball away, which was followed by Turner getting stopped for no gain. On third and goal, Ryan threw an out to White in the end zone to complete the drive. Jason Elam added the extra point and Atlanta took the 7-0 lead.
Allen Rossum made his Dallas debut, taking Michael Koenen's kickoff from a yard deep in his own end zone and getting back to the 15. He injured his right hamstring on the play and did not return.
Quarterback Tony Romo's first pass went just wide of receiver Miles Austin, with running back Marion Barber dropped for a yard loss on second down. Romo then had an open Roy Williams over the middle, but the receiver dropped the pass, bringing on Mat McBriar for his first punt of the day. Eric Weems returned the 53-yard boot 10 yards to give the Falcons' possession on their own 43.
Ryan tried to get things going with a pass to Finneran, but cornerback Orlando Scandrick broke up the play. The quarterback then couldn't connect with Finneran again, a chop block penalty on center Todd McClure pushing the Falcons back 15 yards anyway.
Marcus Spears then broke through the line and sacked Ryan for a loss of nine. On third and 34, Ryan again had to scramble, this time DeMarcus Ware getting to him for another sack. Ryan came into this game having been sacked only twice all season.
Koenen's 51-yard punt was taken by Crayton at his own 30 and returned 21 yards to get Dallas started on their second possession at their own 42.
A pitch to running back Felix Jones around the left side totaled three yards with Barber then brought down behind the line of scrimmage, a loss of one. A false start penalty on Leonard Davis pushed them back five yards with another false start on Jason Witten moving them backwards again, setting up third and 18.
Romo was able to scramble up the middle for 17 yards, the officials ruling that Thomas DeCoud caused a fumble that was recovered by Atlanta's Curtis Lofton. But Wade Phillips threw the challenge flag and the play was overturned, Romo having been ruled down.
While Dallas retained possession, they were still a yard short of the marker, so McBriar came on for his second punt. Weems called for the fair catch, Atlanta starting at their own 16.
Snelling took the handoff up the middle for two yards, then tried to go off left tackle, but managed only two more. On third and six, Ryan tried to find Gonzalez, but was nearly picked off, the first quarter coming to an end with the Falcons' preparing to punt.
Atlanta held possession in the first quarter for 11:27 compared to Dallas' 3:37. The Cowboys only had 18 yards of total offense, all of which was on the ground.
Koenen's punt traveled 41 yards, the ball rolling out of bounds at the Dallas 39. A quick pass to Witten earned six yards with a slant to Williams across the middle going for a nice 16 yards and a first down at the Falcons' 39-yard line. Romo went back to Witten across the middle, a 22-yard connection for a first down at the 17.
A handoff to Jones was stopped for no gain, with a pass to Jones on the right side managing only two. A false start penalty on Marc Colombo pushed them back five yards, setting up third and 13. Romo had Williams open on the right sideline, but the pass was broken up by cornerback Brent Grimes. Nick Folk came on for the 38-yard attempt, the kick good to get the Cowboys on the board, 7-3.
Weems took Buehler's punt from three-yards deep in his own end zone and ran it out to the Atlanta 21. Ryan's first attempt was overthrown to White, but he connected with White on his next try for an 11-yard completion and a first down.
Turner was stuffed for no gain, but followed that by going around the right corner for a 15-yard carry and a first down at the Falcons' 47.
But then the Dallas defense came up big. After Gerald Sensabaugh broke up a pass intended for the fullback Haynes, cornerback Mike Jenkins made a leaping interception, his second of the year, giving the Cowboys the ball at their own 46.
Jones danced his way up the middle for 10 yards and a first down in Falcons' territory. On the next play, though, Thomas Johnson ripped the ball out of Jones' hands, Grimes there to pick it up and give possession back to Atlanta.
An encroachment call on Jay Ratliff gave the visitors five yards with Snelling then going off right guard for five yards and a first down at the Dallas 48. Turner was stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain, with Ryan's pass to White falling incomplete. On third and 10, Ryan found Gonzalez, who was forced out of bounds at the Dallas 31-yard line, a reception of 17.
On the next play, though, Ryan went back to pass only to have DeMarcus Ware knock the ball loose where Anthony Spencer was able to fall on it, the Cowboys taking over at their own 41.
On the very next play, Romo stepped up and went deep to Austin, who outran the coverage, the receiver avoiding the trip-up for a 59-yard touchdown. Folk did his duty and the Cowboys jumped ahead, 10-7.
Weems grabbed Buehler's kick at the three and ran it out to the 28, a holding penalty on Atlanta reversing the ball back 10 yards to the Atlanta 18. A draw to Turner gained four yards, Newman then breaking up a pass to receiver Michael Jenkins to set up third and six. Ryan went underneath with an attempt to Weems, but Sensabaugh stopped him short of the marker, Koenen coming in to punt.
Crayton took the 40-yard punt at his 35 and was brought down after a two-yard return, Dallas starting at their own 37. A quick pass to Witten netted four yards before a handoff to Barber lost two. On third and eight, Romo, with plenty of time, found running back Tashard Choice down the field for a 23-yard completion and a first down at the Atlanta 38.
After the two-minute warning, the Cowboys were set up in the Wildcat, Romo split out wide, but a false start penalty negated the play and moved them back five. Romo threw an out to Williams on the right sideline that gained eight yards, but a questionable offensive pass interference call on the receiver instead moved the team back 10 yards.
On first and 25, Romo went to tight end Martellus Bennett for 11 yards before, under pressure, Romo tried to thread one into Witten, the pass going high through his target's hands. On third and 14, Romo stepped up and found Bennett again, this time for 15 yards and a first down at the Atlanta 27. Dallas then called a timeout, their first.
Romo threw out to Barber in the left flat, the play going for only one yard, then zipped one into Austin for 17 yards for a first and goal at the Falcons' nine. The Cowboys called their second timeout.
With 22 seconds left in the half, Romo had time and threw a pass to Jones, but the play only managed four yards, Dallas then calling their third and final timeout.
Now with 15 seconds on the clock, Romo twice escaped being sack before lobbing one into a wide-open Crayton in the end zone for the touchdown. Folk's extra point was good, Dallas leading 17-7.
Buehler squibbed one through the middle, up-man Keith Zinger recovering the kick as the first half came to a close.
The second quarter was markedly different for the Cowboys, the home team holding the possession advantage for 8:43 compared to Atlanta's 6:17. Dallas also put up 194 yards of offense, of which 185 came through the air. On the other side, the Falcons had only 120 yards of offense for the entire first half.
The second half got underway with Jones taking a knee for the touchback, Dallas starting on their own 20. Romo went underneath to Bennett for six yards, Atlanta then calling timeout, their first. Barber danced his way up the middle for five yards and a first down, Romo following that with a throw out to Austin on the right sideline for 14 yards and a first down at the Dallas 45.
Barber tried to take a pitch around the right end but went nowhere, Romo then unable to connect with Witten. Dallas was called for an illegal shift, but the penalty was declined, bringing up third and 10. Atlanta brought the blitz and sacked the quarterback for an eight-yard loss, McBriar's skills needed again. The Aussie punched one 49 yards, Weems catching the ball at his own 14 where he was immediately met by Patrick Watkins, losing a yard on the return.
Turner took the handoff and was wrapped up after two yards with Ryan hitting receiver Michael Jenkins for nine yards and a first down at the Atlanta 24. Turner tried to go off right tackle and was brought down for a two-yard loss, but took the next carry up the middle for a 10-yard run. On third and two, Ryan couldn't hit his target, Jenkins, but Stephen Bowen was called for offsides, giving Atlanta five yards and a first down.
The drive continued with Turner trying to go up the middle again, this time only managing one yard. But on the next play Snelling popped free off of right tackle, a gain of 31 yards to the Dallas 31.
Escaping pressure, Ryan rolled out to his left and tried to find Gonzalez, but Sensabaugh was there for the break up. Snelling then went around left end for five yards to bring on third and five. Ryan seemed to overthrow Gonzalez on the right sideline, but White was there to haul it in, keeping his feet in bounds for an 11-yard reception and a first down at the Cowboys' 15.
Snelling went up the middle for seven yards, with Turner then weaving his way through for six yards and a first and goal at the two. Turner then completed the drive, ramming into the end zone for the six points. Elam's extra point was good, narrowing the score to 17-14.
Jones again opted for the touchback on Koenen's kickoff, getting Dallas going on their own 20. Romo went down the left sideline for a 32-yard completion and a first down at the Atlanta 48. The Falcons were called for illegal contact on the play, but Dallas declined the penalty.
Romo tried to float one into Williams, but overshot his target, Atlanta defensive end Thomas Johnson shaken up on the play. Jones twisted and turned up the middle for nine yards, then took a pitch from Romo around the left corner for 12 yards and a first down at the Falcons' 27.
Jones went up the middle on the next handoff, earning a short one, Romo then taking off up the middle for what would have been a 14-yard gain, but Bennett was called for holding, the spot foul pushing them back to the 22.
Romo then threw an out to Austin on the right sideline, the receiver spinning free and into the end zone. A holding penalty on Atlanta was declined, giving Dallas the score. Folk was good on the point after and the Cowboys again had the 10-point advantage, 24-14.
Taking over on their own 20 after another Buehler touchback, the Falcons' Turner went off right tackle for three yards. Another Turner run was stopped at the line of scrimmage with Ryan then throwing incomplete to Gonzalez, Sensabaugh nearly coming up with the diving interception. On came Koenen for the punt, his effort traveling 53 yards to Newman at the Dallas 24, who then tried to go around the corner, but instead ran backwards, losing 11 yards, the Cowboys taking over on their 13.
Barber went up the middle for a hard seven yards, then took the same path for another 13 and a first down at the Dallas 33 as the third quarter came to a close.
Atlanta held the time of possession in the third with an 8:13 advantage to the Cowboys' 6:47. Dallas put up another 127 yards in the 15-minute period, 61 passing and 66 rushing, compared to the visitors' 85.
As the final frame got underway, Romo had to scramble to avoid the sack and picked up a sliding two yards, Barber following that with two more up the middle. On third and six, Romo went outside to Witten, the pass earning the necessary yardage and a first down at the Dallas 43.
Barber went up the middle for two yards, but Romo's pass to Williams was low, setting up third and eight. Romo stepped up and hit Miles Austin, the speedster turning upfield, seemingly on a breakaway, but instead he fumbled the ball out of pounds, Dallas still getting 27 yards and a first down at the Atlanta 28 on the play.
A sack of Romo lost four yards with the quarterback's next pass falling short to Austin. Faced with third and 14, Romo threw out to Crayton on the right side, but the play only earned four yards. Out came Folk for a 46-yard field goal, his kick splitting the uprights to increase the Cowboys' lead, 27-14.
Another touchback by Buehler gave Atlanta the ball at their 20 again. Ryan immediately went back to pass and had the ball knocked away as he was in the passing motion. Atlanta's Justin Peelle recovered the ball at the 15. A personal foul facemask on the Falcons' was declined.
Ryan's next attempt to White went high, and while the quarterback scrambled to find receiver Michael Jenkins for a 13-yard completion, it wasn't enough, Atlanta forced to punt.
And then Crayton, who had been demoted during the week, losing his starting wide receiver position as well as punt return duties, took Koenen's kick at his own 27 and returned it 73 yards for the touchdown. Folk's kick was good and Dallas had an insurmountable 34-14 lead.
Starting at their own 20 following another touchback, Ryan immediately hit White over the middle for 12 yards and a first down. The quarterback then dumped off to Snelling underneath, earning another first down after a 10-yard gain.
Unable to find an open man, Ryan threw the ball away. On his next play, he went to Marty Booker, the receiver taking a big hit from cornerback Mike Jenkins. At first their appeared to be a fumble, Jenkins picking up the ball and returning it all the way for a touchdown. But, Atlanta threw the challenge flag, Booker already ruled down by contact.
Maintaining possession at the Dallas 44, Ryan went to White on the right sideline, this time Newman providing the big hit, the ball fumbling out of bounds for a five-yard gain. A completion to Gonzalez earned another nine yards and a first down at the Cowboys' 30.
After Ryan had to throw the ball away, the quarterback went to Finneran on the left side for five yards. But, that gain was lost when a false start penalty pushed them back five. On third and 10, Ryan's pass to Jenkins was broken up by cornerback Alan Ball. Electing to go for it on fourth, Ryan found a wide-open Weems in the seam, who sprinted untouched into the end zone for the score. Elam was good on his kick, the score now 34-21.
Atlanta attempted an onside kick, but Bennett was there to haul it in, giving Dallas possession at the Atlanta 43. Barber bounced outside for three yards, Jones then trying to go around the right end, but earning only one. Atlanta called a timeout, their second.
Romo threw a quick out to Witten who sidestepped a tackle and churned up the sideline for a 15-yard reception and a first down at the Atlanta 24. A Barber carry up the middle was stuffed at the line for no gain, the back taking the handoff again and this time earning only one yard. The Falcons called their third and final timeout.
On third and nine with 3:15 showing on the clock, Barber went off left tackle for seven yards to the 16. Dallas let the clock wind down until calling timeout, Folk then coming on for a 34-yard field goal attempt. Once again, his kick was good, the Cowboys taking a 37-21 lead.
Buehler's kick again went five-yards deep in the end zone, this time Weems deciding to run it out and making it back to his 24. Ryan tried to go to White, but Scandrick stepped in front to earn the interception, the first of his career.
Taking over at the Atlanta 41, Romo called a quick timeout, then handed off to Barber who darted off right guard for an 11-yard gain and a first down at the Falcons' 30 as the clock hit the two-minute mark.
Three knees by Romo and the game was over, Dallas improving to 4-2 on the season, but more importantly, proving to the rest of the NFL that the Cowboys are for real.
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