The Atlanta Falcons (0-2) let another game get away as they fell to the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) 40-39 on a last-second 46-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein. The field goal came after the Cowboys recovered an onside kick that saw the Falcons stare at the ball while it rolled the required 10 yards before the Cowboys recovered it.
The Falcons got off to a fast start jumping ahead 20-0 in the first quarter. Matt Ryan connected with Calvin Ridley for a 22-yard score to get things started. After another touchdown pass of 42 yards to Hayden Hurst to bring the score to 14-0, the Falcons added two field goals.
The Cowboys got on the board with a one-yard score by Ezekiel Elliot. The Falcons would answer back with another Ryan to Ridley connection, this time for three yards to bring the score to 26-10. The Falcons would add a field goal to go up 29-10 at halftime.
A pair of touchdown runs by quarterback Dak Prescott in the third quarter tightened the score to 29-24. The fourth quarter is where the fireworks began. Ryan threw for his fourth touchdown pass, eight yards to Russell Gage to give the Falcons a 36-24 lead. Another field goal by the Falcons extended the lead to 39-24.
The Cowboys led a furious comeback, starting with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to Dalton Schultz. The Cowboys went for a two-point conversion but failed. The defense did their part and forced a Falcons punt.
On the next drive, Prescott called his own number for the third time and scored on a one-yard run to bring the Cowboys within two at 39-37. The onside kick mishap happened, and the Cowboys capitalized.
Matt Ryan finished 24/36 for 273 yards and four touchdowns. Todd Gurley III ran for 61 yards on 21 attempts. Calvin Ridley had seven receptions for 109 yards and two scores. Julio Jones was kept in check with only two receptions for 24 yards.
Dak Prescott finished 34/47 for 450 yards and a touchdown. He also had the three scores on the ground. Zeke ran 22 times for 89 yards and a touchdown. First-round draft pick Cee Cee Lamb had six receptions for 106 yards, and Amari Cooper added 100 yards on six receptions for the Cowboys.
The Falcons return home next week as they welcome the 2-0 Chicago Bears.
