The Dallas Cowboys have hit a wall of adversity with lackluster play the majority of this season, but could turn that around with a win against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday afternoon.

FRISCO — Despite their comeback attempt falling short against the San Francisco 49ers a week ago, the Dallas Cowboys are turning the page to another opportunity to right their ship. Three weeks ago, the outlook was much different.

Dak Prescott had just showcased his late-game heroics in the final seconds of a Cowboys’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. Dallas sat at 3-2 with upcoming opportunities against two NFC contenders that sandwiched their bye week.

But since then, they took a spanking at home against the Detroit Lions, watched Jerry Jones stir controversy during the bye week and have now taken another loss to their bully.

Now staring at a 3-4 record, handling several key injuries and having not played very complementary football to this point, it seems the Cowboys could be on the verge of disaster.

But the team has not counted themselves out yet, and that mindset starts with the quarterback. Prescott has encountered his own struggles in a stretch of three messy games, though he has kept faith on the track his team is on.

When asked about the nature of Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons, he agreed with the sentiment of this contest being a must win game for this group.

“Yeah. Hell to me every game is but obviously 3-4, as I’ve said, lot of season left, but the first start to be able to say that confidently is getting back even, especially having a couple of home ones after that,” he said.

When looking at the NFC East outlook, seeing the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles soar to 5-2 and 6-2 respective starts can be discouraging. Perhaps it will prove a hurdle insurmountable for this team.

But the key is getting the first one. Amid the absence of key pieces like Micah Parsons or the Cowboys’ inability to get a home win, those shortcomings must be put in the rearview now.

Against an Atlanta team riding off momentum after securing command of the NFC South last week, this is not only a chance for the Cowboys to get right with a road win, but send a message with a victory against a contender.

They have faltered against such competition so far this season. However, the urgency has not been at the level it boils at this time. If the Cowboys fall for the third straight time, climbing out of this hole becomes even more difficult.

But if they have an extra spark from the moment and the leadership including Prescott, they have a chance for a surprise Sunday afternoon.