Dallas Cowboys: 5 Takeaways from loss to Falcons

Sep 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

1. There is still hope with the Cowboys

Even though the Cowboys were held scoreless for the third and fourth quarters in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, the Cowboys still left everyone with some hope for this season as everyone continues to wait for Dez Bryant and Tony Romo to return to the field.

Not only are those two players the Cowboys are waiting for, but the arrival of defensive end Greg Hardy and linebacker Rolando McClain can’t come soon enough either, with the defense showing some struggles in the Week 3 loss.

On this takeaway from the game, let’s focus on what the team can achieve if they are playing football to the best of their ability.

Though the offense was held to a measly 52 yards in the second half, the first half was better for the offense of Dallas with 28 points. With that, they totaled 20 first downs in the first half, though the second half wasn’t so great with just three first downs.

That shows the difference between the two halves, but if the Cowboys can play like they did in the first half in upcoming games, and just improve their play in the second half, there will be more wins than losses in their future.

If they want to produce, the positive is they need to keep running the football, but to help that success occur, there must be more of a passing game mixed in, more than a short passing game like we watched Sunday.

Next: Third down play must improve