As the 2025 NFL preseason winds down to its final week, the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys are looking to end it on a positive note. Both teams are working hard to whittle down their rosters to 53 players before the regular season kicks off.
The Falcons have lost their two preseason games, 17-10 to the Detroit Lions and 23-20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas lost its preseason opener to the Los Angeles Rams, 31-21, and fell in Week 2 to the Baltimore Ravens, 31-13.
Atlanta released an updated preseason depth chart on Monday, with Falcons coach Raheem Morris penciling in Michael Penix Jr. as the team’s starting quarterback. Running back Bijan Robinson and wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud are also listed as starters.
For Dallas, running back Jaydon Blue might make his debut on Friday, Aug. 22, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Quarterback Joe Milton, who has struggled when running the Cowboys’ offense, has been given the starting nod by Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer.
At this time, Milton is listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the Cowboys’ unofficial preseason depth chart. Running back Phil Mafah, a seventh-round pick, is looking to secure a spot on the roster in a battle with Miles Sanders.
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys
Game Details
Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
How to Watch
TV: WAGA (Fox 5) (Atlanta), KTVT/CBS 11 DFW (Dallas)
Live Stream:Â NFL+ and NFL Network
Radio: 92.9 The Game (Atlanta), 105.3 The Fan (Dallas)
Betting Line
Spread: Cowboys -3
Total: O/U 36.5
Moneyline: Falcons +145, Cowboys -170
Look Ahead to the 2025 Season for Both Teams
The Falcons are looking to improve on their 8-9 finish in the 2024 NFL season as Penix takes over as the team’s starting quarterback. Atlanta finished second in the NFC West and ninth overall in the NFC.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins led the Falcons with 3,508 passing yards, and Robinson, who played college football at the University of Texas, totaled 1,456 rushing yards. Robinson is listed as RB1 on the Falcons’ preseason depth chart.
But Cousins got benched during the 2024 season. This puts the Falcons in a precarious situation, as Cousins has a no-trade clause in his four-year, $180 million contract. He also received a $50 million signing bonus. Cousins turned 37 on Aug. 19, and his window of opportunity may be closing.
Robinson will need another strong season as the Falcons’ lead back, and Morris may want him to increase his production even further.
As for the Cowboys, they finished 7-10 in the NFC East and 11th in the NFC overall. They struggled after losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott last season. Prescott has not played during the 2025 NFL preseason and likely will not do so Friday night.
Dallas is also dealing with the ongoing contract situation surrounding defensive end Micah Parsons, which continues to dominate the headlines. Parsons is listed as the No. 1 defensive end on the Cowboys’ most recent Cowboys’ preseason depth chart. However, he has demanded a trade, and Cowboys owner-general manager Jerry Jones has not budged.
Prescott needs to stay healthy this season. Wide receiver George Pickens looks to bolster the Cowboys’ receiving corps with his strong play, and tight end Jake Ferguson is expected to provide Prescott with a reliable target.
