The Dallas Cowboys bounced back on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Dak Prescott led the team to their third 40-point game in five home games this season.
The Cowboys’ offense was not the only unit to impress on Sunday. The defense played their best game of the season. Dallas held the Falcons to 214 total yards and three points, as well as adding three interceptions to the mix.
This was the first time since 2017 that the Cowboys have held an opponent to three points. Also, for the first time in 11 years, Dallas forced three interceptions in one game.
Additionally, for the second time in three weeks, the Quinn-led defense held the opposition to less than 10% third-down efficiency. The Falcons were only 1-of-11 on third down.
The superb defensive performance prompted Mike McCarthy to award Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn the game ball.
Cowboys DC Dan Quinn presented a game ball in locker room after 43-3 win over Falcons. Quinn coached five-plus seasons in Atlanta before his dismissal last October. Video from @dallascowboys. pic.twitter.com/S4wEzt8lp2
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 14, 2021
The win probably tasted sweet for Quinn, as he was going up against his old team. Quinn was fired as the head coach of the Falcons in the middle of the 2020 season.
After the game, Quinn said “We just wanted to capture our style and identity. When you don’t have it, you really notice it. Leaving the Minnesota game, our style was back, how we like it. When we have one that you don’t, it shows up. That’s what we challenged one another on. Let’s make sure we capture our style and attitude and how we play. I thought the players did a fantastic job of that.”
Micah Parsons said of Quinn: “I think Q just wanted to come out here and punch somebody in the mouth after last week. This is the first week I ever saw Q’s face turn red out in practice. I think this meant more for him being here for the Cowboys than it meant him trying to get some kind of agenda against Atlanta.”
Parsons continued to speak on Quinn adding, “I’m pretty sure I saw a big smile on his face, so I’m happy we was able to please him. But he’s not worried about that old shit. He’s worried about what’s going on right now.”
It was an all-around great day for the Cowboys. Dan Quinn and the defense will need to keep up the same energy as they head into a tough matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.
The Chiefs just put up 40 points themselves last week on the road in Las Vegas. Let the chess match begin.
