Dallas (3-4) at Atlanta (5-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox
BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 2 1/2
Series record: Cowboys lead 19-11.
Against the spread: Cowboys 2-5, Falcons 4-4.
Last meeting: Cowboys beat Falcons 43-3 on Nov. 14, 2021 in Dallas.
Last week: Cowboys lost at 49ers, 30-24; Falcons beat Buccaneers, 31-26.
Cowboys offense: overall (15), rush (32), pass (7), scoring (22).
Cowboys defense: overall (26), rush (31), pass (20), scoring (26).
Falcons offense: overall (7), rush (15), pass (5), scoring (12).
Falcons defense: overall (19), rush (21), pass (18), scoring (19).
Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-8, Falcons even.
QB Dak Prescott has thrown multiple interceptions in three consecutive games for the first time in his career. The two picks in each of those games give him eight, and he had as many interceptions as touchdown passes for the season before two fourth-quarter scoring tosses to CeeDee Lamb in the loss to the 49ers. The rash of interceptions has coincided with Dallas having difficulty taking the ball away. The Cowboys have forced just two turnovers in the past five games and are tied for 28th in the NFL with five for the season.
Safety Jessie Bates III continues to deliver big plays in crucial situations to lead the Atlanta defense. Bates had his second interception of the season in last week's win over Tampa Bay and also delivered a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Bates has three forced fumbles this season.
Dallas WR Lamb vs. Atlanta CB A.J. Terrell Jr. Lamb is Prescott's favorite option with team-leading totals of 45 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns. Lamb's 72 targets are 30 more than tight end Jake Ferguson's runner-up total of 42. Terrell will have help from cornerbacks Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III and Dee Alford. Terrell, who signed a four-year contract extension for a reported $81 million before the season, is tied with Bates for the team lead with two interceptions.
Dallas with be without star pass rusher Micah Parsons and record-setting cornerback DaRon Bland again. Parsons is missing his fourth consecutive game with a high ankle sprain. Dallas has had trouble pressuring the quarterback without the two-time All-Pro. Bland, who set an NFL record last season with five interception returns for touchdowns, hasn't played yet after surgery for a stress fracture in his foot late in the preseason. … Rookie CB Caelen Carson, Bland’s replacement to start the season, is questionable after missing the past four games with a shoulder injury. ... Atlanta RG Chris Lindstrom (knee) didn't practice at the start of the week after leaving last week’s game. ... LB Troy Andersen (knee) and S Justin Simmons (hamstring) could return after being held out last week. ... Rookie DE Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) could miss the game.
A fourth consecutive victory for Dallas would be the longest in the series since the Cowboys won the first five meetings from 1966-74. The Cowboys' streak of three straight wins in the series includes two games in Dallas. The Falcons' most recent win came on Nov. 12, 2017, when they beat the Cowboys 27-7 in Atlanta.
The opposing quarterbacks rank third and fourth in the NFL among qualifiers in yards passing per game. Prescott is at 263.6 to 263.3 for Kirk Cousins. … The loss to San Francisco was the 300th game of Dallas coach Mike McCarthy’s career, postseason included. He’s the 17th coach to reach that number. His record is 181-117-2. … Prescott’s rushing numbers are way down in his ninth season, but he has at least one rushing touchdown in all four of his previous meetings with Atlanta. His only game with multiple TDs on the ground was a 40-39 win over the Falcons in 2020, when he had three. … RB Ezekiel Elliott’s rushing touchdown against the Niners was his 70th with the Cowboys. He needs two for a tie with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett for second on the club’s career list. … Lamb has 11 games with at least 10 catches, tied for the most in club history with retired TE Jason Witten. The All-Pro had his first 100-yard game of the season against the Niners, getting 146 yards and two touchdowns on a career high-tying 13 grabs. … Opposing QBs were averaging 2.81 seconds to throw against Dallas before Parsons’ injury. That number is up to 2.97 seconds since Parsons got hurt. ... Cousins completed 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns last week. His passer rating of 145.9 was his highest since his 150.7 rating with Washington on Sept. 24, 2017.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson has topped 100 scrimmage yards in three straight games and has scored four touchdowns in that span. The Cowboys' defense ranks 31st against the run, so Robinson would be a strong play even if he was not enjoying his most productive streak of games of the season.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) works under pressure against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Tampa. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with running back Hunter Luepke, left, wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) and tight end Jake Ferguson (87) during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) gets past Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) and cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson )
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.
“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I'm so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”
Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”
Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.
“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let's get ready to run this back next year, too.”
Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blue-and-white confetti drifted in the air and the team's signature song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman's 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.
Players took turns passing around the Commissioner's Trophy.
“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely nobody.”
Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “ played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman's injuries.
“I did everything I could to get on the field for you guys and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can't wait to run this back next year.”
Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blue-clad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd to be 150,000.
“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed out today.”
Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life. They’re all Dodger fans.”
A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko, nearby.
“I'm totally overwhelmed with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute."
Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.”
Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser's jersey from the team's 1988 World Series championship.
“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said.
Fans cheered and waved to the players. The parade occurred on what would have been the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year winner who died days before the World Series began.
The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.
A portion of the proceeds from the ticketed stadium event will be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.
There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations after the team's comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate with fans during the baseball team's World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tips his hat to the crowd during the baseball team's World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Ice Cube performs during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates as he walks to the stage during the baseball team's World Series championship parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani waves at fans during the baseball team's World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Fans cheer before the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts waves at fans during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fans cheer as buses carrying players are driven past during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Vesia yells in celebration during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fans cheer and hold signs before the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Los Angeles City Hall glows in Dodger Blue to celebrate the Dodgers' World Series Championship in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a team picture after their win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A fan holds a replica trophy during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Fans crowd the sidewalk as they wait for the start of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Fans crowd behind barricades waiting for the start of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
