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Falcons Stock Report: Risers, Fallers After Win vs. Cowboys

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Falcons Stock Report: Risers, Fallers After Win vs. Cowboys


The Atlanta Falcons are rolling, as their 27-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium marking their fifth win in the 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 destiny.

Here’s a look at the Falcons’ stock report, with who’s rising and falling after a crucial home win …

The Coaching Staff

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

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The Falcons have won seven games each of the past three seasons and five of the last six years. Morris, from his culture-aiding charisma to his player-drawing reputation, has helped flipped the script in 10 months.

His fourth down aggression netted 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 partially, its fourth down success to Morris.

Robinson, meanwhile, drew praise from Morris for calling another strong game. The Falcons punted five times, but they averaged 5.5 yards per play and scored four touchdowns in a seven-drive stretch during the middle of Sunday’s game that helped make Atlanta’s lead insurmountable.

And Lake, after much criticism surrounding a softer approach and lack of pass rush, had his best performance of the season. 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 went just 3-of-13 on third down and 1-of-5 on fourth down.

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Pass Rush — and a variety of contributors

The Falcons had a league-low six sacks entering Sunday. They had three alone against the Cowboys to go along with eight quarterback hits.

Morris pointed to new life on Atlanta’s pass rush, as outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone played his first defensive action of the season Sunday and defensive tackle Kentavius Street was active for the first time since Week 4.

Neither Malone nor Street recorded any sacks or tackles for loss, though Malone had a pair of tackles. However, outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie came to life, registering three quarterback hits and one sack. Linebacker Kaden Elliss had the same numbers.

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

The Cowboys trailed for the entire second half and were forced into obvious passing situations, making Atlanta’s life easier — but unlike weeks past, the Falcons capitalized, delivering their best pass rushing performance this season.

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RB Bijan Robinson

Atlanta’s playmaking young runner had his fourth consecutive day with over 100 yards from scrimmage, rushing 19 times for 86 yards while catching a team-high seven passes for 59 yards.

Robinson accounted for 145 scrimmage yards, 46.8% of Atlanta’s 310-yard output.

Team Health

The Falcons ruled out a pair of 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 during the third quarter.

Jarrett’s exit was ruled a precaution, but Morris had no update on either player’s status postgame.

TE Kyle Pitts

After a strong month of October during which he made 21 receptions for 314 yards and two scores, Pitts saw only one target in Sunday’s game. He caught it for a nine-yard gain, but failed to record any other stats.

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Pitts also lost a pass blocking snap to Cowboys pass rusher Carl Lawson, who strip sacked Cousins and forced Atlanta’s lone turnover.

Special Teams

There were highs and lows for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams’ unit.

Falcons return specialist Avery Williams opted 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 downed the ball at the 1-yard line, putting Atlanta’s offense behind the 8-ball.

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

Still, the unit had a few positives, as jammer Natrone Brooks knocked down Cowboys punter Bryan Anger’s pass on a fake, and Pitts jumped on kicker Brandon Aubrey’s onside kick try late in the fourth quarter, effectively sealing Atlanta’s victory.

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Atlanta, GA

Braves make another addition to 'pen, reuniting with Kinley

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Braves make another addition to 'pen, reuniting with Kinley


ATLANTA — The Braves’ decision to decline Tyler Kinley’s $5.5 million option in November proved to be a sound financial decision.
Kinley reunited with the Braves on Saturday when he agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million deal. The right-handed reliever will draw a $3 million salary in 2026; his $5.5



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Atlanta, GA

Golden State takes home win streak into matchup with Atlanta

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Golden State takes home win streak into matchup with Atlanta


Atlanta Hawks (19-21, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (21-18, eighth in the Western Conference)

San Francisco; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Golden State will try to keep its three-game home win streak alive when the Warriors face Atlanta.

The Warriors are 13-5 on their home court. Golden State is 9-12 against opponents over .500.

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The Hawks have gone 12-10 away from home. Atlanta ranks second in the league scoring 17.6 fast break points per game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads the Hawks averaging 3.9.

The Warriors average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Hawks give up. The Hawks average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Warriors allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jimmy Butler III is averaging 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Warriors. Stephen Curry is averaging 25.7 points and 5.1 assists over the past 10 games.

Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Hawks. Jalen Johnson is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 7-3, averaging 120.1 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.4 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points per game.

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Hawks: 4-6, averaging 116.9 points, 42.4 rebounds, 31.9 assists, 10.1 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points.

INJURIES: Warriors: Seth Curry: out (thigh).

Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis: out (achilles), Zaccharie Risacher: out (knee), CJ McCollum: out (quad), N’Faly Dante: out for season (knee), Corey Kispert: out (hamstring).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Atlanta, GA

Flood watch expands into metro Atlanta ahead of severe storm threat

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Flood watch expands into metro Atlanta ahead of severe storm threat


A powerful weather front is moving into metro Atlanta, prompting officials to expand flood watches as “wave-after-wave” of heavy rain threatens to saturate the region through Saturday.

The FOX 5 Storm Team warn that storm totals could reach four inches in some areas, with isolated spots in North Georgia potentially seeing up to six inches.

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Flood Watch in northwest Georgia

What we know:

A Flood Watch is currently in effect through Saturday evening for a large portion of North Georgia. The region is bracing for widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches. Some areas could see locally higher amounts reaching up to 6 inches before a cold front moves through Saturday afternoon to end the threat.

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“The rain train is wide open and here it comes,” said FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist David Chandley. “We got waves of rain tonight and storms. They’re going to be with us tonight and right on through Saturday.”

In the northwest, the watch includes Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield counties.

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Flooding risk, high winds

Local perspective:

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Thunderstorms expected overnight and into early Saturday morning are a primary concern. 

The primary concern for North Georgia remains damaging winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding. While the threat of severe weather is lower Friday night, the FOX 5 Storm Team expects conditions to change as the front arrives Saturday morning.

“Flooding [is] possible in Northwest Georgia with that severe threat,” Chandley said. “I expect we may see some of those [flash flood warnings] across North Georgia late tonight and early tomorrow because that ground is going to be saturated.”

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A Level 1 “marginal risk” for severe storms has been issued for most of the area, though regions near Columbus face a slightly higher “slight risk.” Forecasters noted that while the atmosphere currently lacks the instability for massive thunderstorms, a “brief, spin-up tornado” cannot be ruled out on Saturday.

What’s next:

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Sunday: Windy and much colder, with highs struggling to reach the 40s and 50s.

Monday: Temperatures are expected to plummet into the 20s by Monday morning.

The Source: This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team.

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