The Cowboys are entering unknown territory starting a large majority of games with a backup quarterback. Brandon Weeden is taking over for Tony Romo as he recovers from a broken left clavicle.
Dez Bryant is also injured giving way to Terrance Williams as the number one receiver for the Cowboys. With all of these changes occurring Jeremy Mincey will also sit out of Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Without Mincey the Cowboys are left with Demarcus Lawrence, Ryan Russell, Davon Coleman, and Jack Crawford to apply the pass rush against a porous Atlanta Falcons offensive line.
Mincey's concussion could not come at a worse time as the Cowboys will need their defense to carry the load for the next few weeks. The Cowboys also placed Terrell McClain on injured reserve with a toe injury which makes matters worse.
There is hope on the defensive side of the ball as the Cowboys look to Sean Lee to lead the defense in a way in which the Cowboys have not seen for a very long time. The combination of Lee, Lawrence, and Anthony Hitchens should provide enough talent for the Cowboys defense to make some plays against a strong Atlanta Falcons offense.
The Dallas offense will need to prevent turnovers against an improving Falcons defense. Head coach Dan Quinn has made this defense look more imposing than any Falcons team in recent memory.
The Cowboys rushing attack will need to be the best it has been so far this season in order for the Cowboys to realistically win this game. Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden have been leading the way on the ground for some above average games but they will need to increase their production to make up for the lack of Romo and Dez. The Cowboys offense will be without a big play threat which is something the Falcons utilize to the fullest extent every game.
The Falcons will need to rely on Julio Jones to get open against this improving Dallas Cowboys secondary. As it stands now when Julio Jones is healthy he is just as dangerous as Antonio Brown however Jones is already suffering from minor issues including a hamstring strain that should limit his production slightly. The Falcons will not be able to rely on their running game as Tevin Coleman will miss this game with a fractured rib. This game will come down to the Dallas defensive line going up against this Falcons offensive line, whoever wins this battle will win the game.
Dallas Cowboys 24, Atlanta Falcons 21
