Time goes against dallas cowboys (3-4) as they look to avoid their first three-game losing streak since 2020 when they visit the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-3).

Dallas fell 30-24 to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, while the Falcons narrowly defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26, fending off a comeback attempt.

FURTHER: Jerry Jones expresses confidence in Cowboys’ turnaround

This Sunday, the Cowboys will make their third visit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their first since 2018. The Cowboys are currently on a three-game winning streak against the Falcons, with their most recent matchup occurring in 2021, when Dallas triumphed. Atlanta with a decisive score of 43-3.

For Dallas, every game is a must-win as the NFC East becomes increasingly competitive. The Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles are in a tight two-man race for the top, while the wild card situation is also heating up, with eight other teams with four or more wins.

Here are three keys to the Cowboys’ victory in Week 9.

In what has been the Achilles heel of the Cowboys defense this season, the unit will once again face another test in stopping the run.

Atlanta has a solid backfield duo of running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Robinson, in his second season, ranks ninth in the league in rushing yards with 546 and has four rushing touchdowns along with 31 receptions for 244 yards and one passing touchdown.

Allgeier, in his third season, has recorded 352 rushing yards and one touchdown, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

After Sunday night’s loss to the 49ers, Dallas has allowed more than 200 rushing yards twice this season and more than 180 yards four times. As a result, their run defense has dropped significantly and they are now tied with the Carolina Panthers for the worst average in the league, allowing 154.6 rushing yards per game.

Any chance of getting back to .500 starts with run defense.

Turnovers have been a problem lately, particularly for quarterback Dak Prescott, who, after Week 8, has thrown six interceptions in the last three games.

“Once again, we fell behind in the turnover battle,” Prescott said. DallasCowboys.com. “That’s on me and I can’t have that and win games. I have to fix that, period.”

Prescott’s turnover problems the last three weeks have resulted in 24 points allowed by the defense. Dallas ranks third in total interceptions thrown, with nine this season. The Falcons are currently tied for fourth in defensive interceptions, with seven on the year.

Sunday night in Santa Clara did not end as the Cowboys expected; However, one bright spot was CeeDee Lamb, who looked like the All-Pro player he had been last season.

Despite the loss, Lamb recorded 13 receptions on 17 targets and a season-high 146 yards and two touchdowns. Lamb was also responsible for nine of the Cowboys’ 18 first downs.

The three-time Pro Bowler’s performance helped close the gap from 27-10 to a 30-24 deficit, giving the Dallas Cowboys a chance in the final minutes of the game.

Lamb currently ranks third in receiving yards with 613, third in targets with 72, ninth in receptions with 45, and twelfth in touchdowns with 4.

When 88 is heavily involved, it is difficult to stop the offense.

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