The Atlanta Falcons are just the 15th team since the NFL expanded to a 16-game regular season schedule to start out 8-0 on the season. The Falcons took care of the Dallas Cowboys 19-13 at home on Sunday night to remain the only undefeated team in the league.
It wasn’t pretty at times, but the Falcons showed once again that they can win games in different ways.
In the case of this game against the Cowboys, it was done on the ground with Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers. Quarterback Matt Ryan had a nice game, throwing for 342 yards, but no touchdowns. In fact, the only touchdown scored by Atlanta was by Turner.
The majority of the damage was done by place kicker Matt Bryant, who kicked four field goals through the uprights despite missing two on the night as well.
Turns out, 19 points was all they needed, as the Atlanta defense locked down on Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense, not allowing a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons will now turn their attention to a disappointing, but still a somehow dangerous New Orleans Saints team next Sunday afternoon in Week 10 of the NFL Season. Of course, the Saints still have to play Philadelphia tonight on Monday night football. They could be 3-5 or 2-6 depending on this outcome. Atlanta remains four games in front of Tampa Bay, who is second in the NFC South right now.
Atlanta is looking more and more like the team that is going to get the home field advantage throughout the course of the playoffs.
But keep an eye out for the Chicago Bears. The Bears have been playing very well, especially on defense. Chicago has scored eight defensive touchdowns in eight games this season!