Falcons stellar backfield duo should have a big day vs. Cowboys

Atlanta Falcons running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier form one of the NFL's top running back duos. Their combined 898 rushing yards is the fourth-highest total of any teams' top two non-quarterback rushers behind the Baltimore Ravens , Detroit Lions , and San Francisco 49ers . They're so good, in fact, that it requires inventing a new, unique nickname for their complementary skill set.

They should have a favorable matchup in Week 9 because the Dallas Cowboys sport one of the league's worst run defenses. In rushing yards allowed, they rank 31st. In yards per carry, they rank 26th. In Expected Points Allowed per rush , they are dead last, and they rank 30th in DVOA against the run.

It's also a perfect matchup for Robinson and Allgeier to dominate against the Cowboys due to the Falcons featuring an outside zone run scheme. According to Next Gen Stats , the Falcons lead the NFL with the highest rate of runs outside the tackles. The outside is precisely where the Cowboys' defense struggles, allowing the highest rate of outside runs.

Robinson and Allgeier may not be alone in feasting against the Cowboys. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud should also have ample opportunity on those outside runs. Last week, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , McCloud had his longest run of the season, a 17-yard gain on an end-around. The Cowboys just gave up a 39-yard run to San Francisco 49ers wideout Ricky Pearsall on a jet sweep last week. The Falcons haven't featured "gadget" runs with McCloud as much as expected , but perhaps this is the week where the team can find a few more opportunities for him against a vulnerable defense.

Yet, the ground game is just one path for Robinson and Allgeier to have success against the Cowboys come Sunday. Dallas has also struggled to defend running backs in the passing game, ranking 31st in DVOA allowed on passes to running backs.

The Cowboys have given up an explosive pass play of 20 or more yards to someone out of the backfield nearly every week. Last week, it wasn't a true running back, but 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who lined up in the backfield and beat Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks for 47 yards on a wheel route . The only other week where the Cowboys didn't give up an explosive play was against the New York Giants in Week 4, where they allowed running back Tyrone Tracy to gain only 19 yards on a screen pass.

It all indicates a potentially dominant game for both Falcons running backs. That potential will be a core part of a balanced, explosive offensive attack. With the Cowboys down All-Pro outside linebacker Micah Parsons for another week, their backups have struggled to pick up the slack . Coupled with injuries in their secondary , the Falcons' passing attack should succeed in throwing to the wide receivers in addition to Robinson and Allgeier.

Given all these issues facing the Cowboys, anything less than a dominant day from the Falcons offense would be a major letdown. Of course, the Falcons can't simply show up and expect success to be handed to them. They still have to go out there and execute to earn a win. But with Robinson and Allgeier leading the charge, Sunday should be poised to be a big day for the Falcons offense.