With no Zeke, is arrow pointing up for Dallas?
The arrow was pointing up for the Cowboys, sideways or down for the Falcons.
Then a federal court on Thursday upheld the sixgame league suspension for Ezekiel Elliott, a damaging blow to Dallas.
When they meet Sunday in a critical NFC match, the winner will be in decent position for a run toward the playoffs, hardly what either 2016 conference power projected.
The loser, particularly if it is Dallas with NFC East leader Philadelphia already 2½ games in front and Elliott presumably gone for much of the remainder of the schedule, will have used up significant margin for error.
“We know as a team what we’re capable of,” safety Ricardo Allen said of his 4-4 Falcons . “Just go out there and do our job. Just give a little more, take it to another level.
“We have another whole half of the season. Get it rolling. Get the small things right.”
Dallas (5-3) has done a lot of big things right after a 2-3 start. Somehow, the Cowboys managed through all the distractions from their star running back’s on-again, off-again suspension, and they handled Kansas City quite well last Sunday.
Now comes a huge inconference test at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Atlanta is only 1-2, but plays four of its next five games.
“We’ve just got to keep on pushing,” says receiver Dez Bryant, who is bothered by knee and ankle woes. “We know exactly who we are. We’re going to show everybody. This is a real team that sticks together and fights for one another. In this file photo, Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant (88) greets teammates before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Arlington, Texas. When the Cowboys and the Falcons meet Sunday in a critical NFC match, the winner will be in solid position for a run toward the playoffs.
We’ve been through a lot of adversity, and we’re just showing you how to get out of it. That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to keep on fighting and see where it takes us.”
The action began Thursday night with Seattle’s 2216 victory in Arizona.
Russell Wilson threw two touchdown passes to Jimmy Graham for Seattle. The Seahawks (6-3) limited Adrian Peterson to 29 yards in 21 carries in a game marred by a host of injuries and penalties, most of them against Seattle, to improve to 4-0-1 in Arizona in Bruce Arians’ five seasons as coach of the Cardinals (4-5).
Off this week are Kansas City (6-3), Philadelphia (8-1), Baltimore (4-5), and Oakland (4-5).
Cowboys’ Smith out with back, groin issues
FRISCO, TEXAS » Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith will miss Sunday’s game against the Falcons because of back and groin injuries.
The Cowboys said Saturday that Smith and tight end Geoff Swaim were
downgraded from questionable to out and didn’t make the trip to Atlanta. Swaim injured a knee in practice Thursday.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection who protects quarterback Dak Prescott’s blind side, Smith has been battling back issues since last season, when he missed three games. The 26-yearold injured a groin in last weekend’s win over Kansas City.
Chaz Green will make his sixth career start in Smith’s place. Green started the first three games this season at left guard before losing the job to Jonathan Cooper.
Swaim has been a seldom-used third tight end behind Jason Witten and James Hanna.
The Cowboys signed defensive tackle Daniel Ross off Kansas City’s practice squad, but he didn’t make the trip to Atlanta. Defensive tackle Brian Price injured a knee last weekend and is out for the season.
Lions activate T Decker from PUP list
DETROIT » The Detroit Lions have activated tackle Taylor Decker from the physicallyunable-to-perform list before Sunday’s game against Cleveland.
Decker has been out all season because of a shoulder injury . He started every game for the Lions as a rookie last season after being drafted in the first round.
Detroit also announced Saturday that it has activated tackle Corey Robinson from injured reservedesignated for return. The Lions waived wide receiver Jace Billingsley.
The Lions will be without guard T.J. Lang against the Browns because of a concussion. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah is doubtful because of a back injury.
Chiefs DT Miller arrested in Florida
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. » Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Roy Miller was arrested early Saturday in Florida on a domestic battery charge, according to Duval County jail records.
Miller was jailed shortly before 5 a.m. by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The incident involved a minor injury, but no other details were available about the alleged battery.
Miller was scheduled to appear before a judge later Saturday.
The Chiefs, who are off this week, said in statement to The Associated Press that they were aware of the incident and gathering facts. They declined any further comment.
The 30-year-old Miller, who was drafted out of Texas by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spent the past four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Miller signed a $1.4 million deal with Kansas City this past offseason but has only appeared in seven games with two tackles.
The AFC West-leading Chiefs (6-3) visit the New York Giants on Nov. 18.