Falcons ‘handle business’ in first complete team win vs. Dallas Cowboys 

ATLANTA — Raheem Morris didn’t have to search for inspiration to present to his team in their weekly meetings as Week 9 began. He didn’t have to uncover a new message to motivate them. He already had a muse in mind as the Falcons prepped to face the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Every chance he could, Morris reminded the team of their 34-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7.

“It’s nice to throw some subtle reminders out there about what it looks like when you don’t have that focus and mindset that you need to go out there and win these home games that you want to go out there and win,” Morris said.

As the Falcons kicked off against the Cowboys, the juxtaposition between this game and the one against the Seahawks two weeks ago was right there.

Against Seattle, Atlanta was coming off a multi-score, road win versus an NFC South opponent, the Carolina Panthers. The Seahawks were on a slide, having lost their last three games after starting the year 3-0. Seattle was without key contributors as injuries played a role in availability. Atlanta — by all intents and purposes — was primed for the win. They didn’t win, though.

In fact, it was one of their most disappointing, collective performances, with offense, defense and special teams faltering. It was a complete team loss.

Two weeks later, against Dallas, Atlanta found themselves in the midst of an eerily similar situation.

The Falcons were coming off a big, road win versus an NFC South opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Cowboys were on a slide, having lost their last two games. Dallas was without key contributors as injuries played a role in availability. Atlanta — by all intents and purposes — was primed for a win. And this time, they did win.

In fact, it was one of their most complete performances, with offense, defense and special teams stepping up consistently. It was, perhaps, a complete team win.