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5 things Cowboys fans need to know about the Falcons: Dallas could take advantage where Atlanta is vulnerable 

Coming off a big win in Philadelphia, the Cowboys (4-5) travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons (4-5) on Sunday. Here are five things Cowboys fans need to know about the Falcons:

Past meetings

This will be the 26th regular-season matchup between the Falcons and Cowboys. Dallas leads the series 14-11. Atlanta's won the last three games against the Cowboys, including last season's 27-7 drumming when defensive end Adrian Clayborn totaled a career-high six sacks.

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Thankfully for the Cowboys, Clayborn is now playing for the New England Patriots and the root of the cause of all those sacks, tackle Chaz Green, is in New Orleans.

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Return of linebacker Deion Jones?

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A banged up defense could welcome back a Pro Bowl linebacker on Sunday.

Deion Jones is on track to return to the middle of Atlanta's defense. The third-year linebacker hasn't played since Week 1 after he underwent foot surgery. He accounts for one of six starters the Falcons placed on injured reserve already this season. By NFL rule, teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR.

Atlanta activated Jones to the 53-man roster on Monday.

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Falcons coach Dan Quinn tempered expectations that Jones will suit up in Week 11. But the belief around the team is that Jones' reentry this Sunday is imminent.

Struggling defense

The injury bug has been running through Atlanta's locker room this year. As mentioned above, the Falcons have placed six starters on IR. Injuries have immensely affected the defensive side of the football. Entering Week 11, the Falcons rank second-to-last in the NFL in third-down defense, yards allowed per play and yards allowed per rush.

Those are appealing statistics for the Cowboys offense. There should be plenty of opportunities for Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and company to take advantage on Sunday.

Atlanta's coming off a frustrating 28-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 10. A game in which rookie running back Nick Chubb ran for 176 yards and 1 touchdown on 20 carries.

Julio Jones is ballin'

The Falcons might be 4-5 but Julio Jones is not the reason why. Jones has recorded 100 receiving yards in four-straight games. He currently leads the NFL in receiving yards. The five-time Pro Bowl wideout became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 receiving yards. Jones achieved the mark in 104 games, besting the previous standard of 115 games set by future Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.

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Super Bowl host city

Only two NFL teams have reached the Super Bowl in their home region. The San Francisco 49ers won Super Bowl XIX in Stanford Stadium, and the Los Angeles Rams who were defeated in Super Bowl XIV by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Rose Bowl.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host Super Bowl LIII. By the way it looks now, the native Atlanta Falcons won't be representing the NFC in this year's Super Bowl. Although, there is still a chance.