Promoter, faller after win against Dallas Cowboys

The Atlanta Falcons are on a roll as their 27-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium marked their fifth win in their last six games.

After a 1-2 start, the Falcons are 6-3 – along with 4-0 in the NFC South – and in control of their own playoff fate.

Here's a look at the Falcons stock report, showing who rises and falls after a crucial home win…

The coaching staff

Send flowers to Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake.

The Falcons have won seven games in each of the last three seasons and five in the last six years. Morris, with his culture-boosting charisma and reputation as a game artist, helped flip the script in ten months.

His fourth down offense earned the Falcons a touchdown as quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​hit receiver Darnell Mooney for a 36-yard score that ultimately proved crucial in a 6-point victory. Cousins ​​attributed Atlanta's different culture and at least some of its fourth season success to Morris.

Robinson, meanwhile, earned praise from Morris for his continued strong play. The Falcons punted five but averaged 5.5 yards per play and scored four touchdowns on seven drives midway through Sunday's game, helping Atlanta's lead become insurmountable.

And Lake had his best performance of the season after much criticism of his softer approach and lack of pass rush. The Cowboys totaled 378 net yards and rushed for a season-high 137 yards, but the Falcons forced three punts and four turnovers on downs.

Dallas shot just 3 of 13 on third down and just 1 of 5 on fourth down.

Pass rush – and a variety of contributors

The Falcons had the lowest total in the league on Sunday, six sacks. They had three against the Cowboys alone and eight quarterback hits.

Morris pointed to new life in Atlanta's pass rush as fullback DeAngelo Malone made his first defensive action of the season on Sunday and defensive tackle Kentavius ​​Street was active for the first time since Week 4.

Neither Malone nor Street recorded sacks or tackles for loss, although Malone had two tackles. But outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie came to life, recording three quarterback hits and a sack. Linebacker Kaden Elliss had the same numbers.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett added a sack while fellow defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham secured a quarterback hit.

The Cowboys trailed the entire second half and were forced into obvious passing situations, making life easier for Atlanta – but unlike previous weeks, the Falcons capitalized on it and delivered their best pass-rushing performance of the season.

RB Bijan Robinson

Atlanta's powerful young runner gained more than 100 yards rushing for the fourth straight time, rushing 19 times for 86 yards and catching a team-high seven passes for 59 yards.

Robinson accounted for 145 scrimmage yards, 46.8% of Atlanta's 310 yards.

Team health

The Falcons ruled out two stars due to injuries, as receiver Drake London suffered a hip pointer on his nine-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett strained his Achilles tendon in the third quarter.

Jarrett's departure was considered a precautionary measure, but Morris had no information about either player's status after the game.

TE Kyle Pitts

After a strong month of October in which he caught 21 balls for 314 yards and two scores, Pitts saw just one score in Sunday's game. He caught it for a nine-yard gain but was unable to record any further statistics.

Pitts also lost a pass-blocking snap to Cowboys pass rusher Carl Lawson, which sacked Cousins ​​and forced Atlanta's only turnover.

Special teams

There have been ups and downs for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams' unit.

Falcons return specialist Avery Williams chose not to catch a punt around his own 10-yard line, instead letting the ball hit the turf and bounce toward the goal line. The Cowboys dropped the ball at the 1-yard line, putting Atlanta's offense behind the 8-ball.

Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin had two long punt returns, including gains of 16 and 18 yards.

Still, the session had a few positives, as jammer Natrone Brooks nullified Cowboys punter Bryan Anger's pass with a fake and Pitts jumped on kicker Brandon Aubrey's onside kick attempt late in the fourth quarter, effectively sealing Atlanta's win sealed.