ATLANTA – Entering Week 9, the Dallas Cowboys are looking for their first non-NFC East Conference win of the season. Aside from the win over the New York Giants, the Cowboys are 0-3 against NFC opponents. They hope to buck that trend and get back to .500 overall on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Will they do it? Let's look at some key aspects of this game.

Secondary concerns

Three weeks ago, leading up to the Cowboys' game against the Detroit Lions, DaRon Bland fully participated in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before not participating on Friday. It was listed as questionable in the practice's final report. Bland was not activated for this game. He did not participate in or play in any practice leading up to last week's game in San Francisco. This week, Bland again didn't practice at all and missed Friday.

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Additionally, Trevon Diggs did not participate in practice this week due to a torn calf, according to Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. Diggs, who was listed as questionable on the most recent injury report, had a good rehab workout Friday and head coach Mike McCarthy said Diggs would be a game-time decision.

The bit of good news is that rookie Caelen Carson is back from his shoulder injury. Based on Diggs' availability, it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys choose to operate in the secondary. Will veteran slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis move to the outside as he has done in the past? With Drake London and Darnell Mooney, the Falcons are the only team in the NFL to have two wide receivers with more than 500 yards receiving.

There have been growing pains for Tyler Guyton this season. The rookie first-round pick is adjusting to the speed and talent of the NFL and adapting to a position change, moving from right tackle to left tackle.

“I think it’s everything as a whole,” Guyton said. “Playing at this level is different. The change of sides is also different. My team puts me in the best possible position to be the best player I am. …You want to be great, you have to be hard on yourself. You have to be your own biggest critic.”

The Cowboys needed to help Guyton with extra protection and chips at the line of scrimmage. For the Cowboys offense to thrive, Guyton will need to play better and reduce the penalties. Guyton has six accepted penalties this season – three offensive throws.

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Trade deadline

Earlier this week, we wrote about the five biggest areas of need the Cowboys may need to address before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Running back and defensive tackle were at the top of the list. Not a huge surprise considering most felt Dallas didn't do enough at these positions during the offseason. The fans seemed to agree.

If the Cowboys could upgrade any of these position groups before the trade deadline, which would you choose?

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 1, 2024

The Cowboys aren't expected to make any significant moves before the deadline, but Jones said Friday that they will be looking for “all the meat on the bone that can improve our team.”

Is there a trade Jones could make on Tuesday that would headline the presidential election on the same day?

Jones (laughing): “Yes.”

He gave no details about what that move might be.

Jury duty

Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey finally spoke about his recent time as a juror in Fort Worth. He said he originally pushed serve back, but when he called to push serve back a second time, it wasn't allowed.

“It slipped through the cracks until it was too late,” he said. “It was definitely an 'Oh s—' moment. I have a sister-in-law who is the district attorney and she said, “They will never pick you with your status as a public figure.” I disclosed that I had a sister-in-law who worked in the DA's office in Dallas and that my Brother is a lawyer. I was just told I wouldn't be chosen, so I just sat there and didn't really say much. I was definitely surprised when he picked me.”

Aubrey called the experience tedious, eye-opening, frustrating and depressing.

“I don't really want to go into all the details of the story,” he added, “but it was very depressing and dragged on longer than anyone expected, so I'm glad it's over.”

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Predictions

Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer: I only picked the Cowboys to win twice this year, Week 2 against the Saints and Week 4 against the Giants. I seriously considered doing this for the third time, but with Micah Parsons and Bland out and Diggs, Zack Martin and Eric Kendricks questionable, I leaned toward the Falcons. I agree with Dak Prescott that Dallas needs to win this game. I just think the Cowboys are coming up short.

Matchup to watch: Cowboys DT Mazi Smith vs. Falcons LG Matthew Bergeron. Dallas' 26th overall pick in 2023 went to Smith and Bergeron, who ended up going 38th to Atlanta. Smith is ranked 122nd out of 122 defensive tackles by Pro Football Focus. Bergeron is ranked No. 30 among 73 NFL guards. Falcons 24, Cowboys 17.

Saad Yousuf, Cowboys beat writer: I expect the Cowboys offense to take a step forward, especially against this defense. Prescott and CeeDee Lamb looked much better last week, especially late in the game. However, the Cowboys' defense remains weakened by injuries, and even if Diggs plays, he will be limited. The Falcons have a solid quarterback in Kirk Cousins ​​and a talented supporting staff around him. Falcons 34, Cowboys 28.

Josh Kendall, Falcons beat writer: The over-under for Sunday's Falcons-Cowboys game is 51.5 points, the highest number of the weekend and one of the highest of the season. The betting market doesn't expect much defense, and why should it? Dallas is 31st in the league in points allowed (28.29). The Falcons are 19th (24.38). Both teams rank in the bottom 10 in defensive EPA. Atlanta has the edge because of its ability to run the ball (sixth in EPA). Falcons 32, Cowboys 30.

“Cowboys-Falcons” is a must-read

Hawks

• Falcons' Kirk Cousins ​​has 'everything we hoped for,' plus an eye on Parsons' progress: 5 factors
• Kyle Pitts hasn't stopped talking about the Falcons tight end, but the tone is changing

Cowboys

• Dak Prescott's contributions won't save the Cowboys' yardage. So what is the solution?
• Examine the Cowboys' three 12-win seasons: What we learn from their wins and losses

(Top photo of Drake London and Kyle Pitts: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)