5 takeaways from the Cowboys' dramatic win over the Falcons

Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein (2) celebrates with wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) after kicking a 46-yard game-winning field goal on the final play of a 40-39 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

ARLINGTON, Texas _ This was a win that is hard to describe.

You could say the Falcons choked. You could say the Cowboys were lucky. You could say who cares, the Cowboys won the game.

In reality, winning the game is the bottom line, and the Cowboys overcame a 20-0 deficit to start the game to knock off the Atlanta Falcons, 40-39, at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas Cowboys fans record pregame activities before a game between the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons in the first half on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Despite the horrendous start (four fumbles on five possessions in the first quarter), a defense that failed to make enough stops and the questionable decisions by new coach Mike McCarthy, everything is just fine with Jerry Jones' 1-1 team.

With that here are five things of note from the Cowboys comeback victory against the Falcons:

The kick that saved the game

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 46-yard game-winning field goal that wasn't even possible if not for CJ Goodwin recovering an onside kick with 1:49 left in the game. Goodwin's recovery allowed the Cowboys, with no timeouts to give Zuerlein his chance. He made his first game-winning kick as a Cowboy possible.

A worker disinfects railings in the seating bowl during the second quarter of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys fans wearing masks along with their gameday paraphernalia head into the stadium before the game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell (15) is upended by Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (37) on a kick return during the second quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) catches a touchdown pass as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) defends during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott celebrates after picking up a first down during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) reaches the ball into the end zone for a touchdown past Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott scores on a short touchdown run past Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means (55) and strong safety Damontae Kazee (27) during the second quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Goodwin (29) reaches for the ball to recover an onside kick late in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott wears a face mask reading "You've Got a Friend In Me" as he warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell (15) is upended by Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (37) on a kick return during the second quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

A Dallas Cowboys fan reacts after a call went against their team during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein (2) celebrates with Connor McGovern (66) after kicking a 46-yard game-winning field goal on the final play of a 40-39 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Alcohol wipes are left at fans' seats before an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys fans cheer their team during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst celebrates as he scores on a 42-yard touchdown reception past Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daryl Worley on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys fans take photos of the stadium before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass under pressure from the Atlanta Falcons defense during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein (2) celebrates with Chris Jones and Blake Bell after kicking a 46-yard game-winning field goal on the final play of a 40-39 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) is brought down by Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54), who was penalized on the play, during the second quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones watches from his suite during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys owner and General Manager Jerry Jones waves to fans as he walks off the field with Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones during pregame activities on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys fans Fernando (left) and Emmanuel Lopez of Abilene wave towels during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (86) turns the ball over with a fumble after a hit from Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott celebrates after picking up a first down during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys players take the field to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback C.J. Goodwin (29) secures the ball on an onside kick attempt as Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) attempts to take it in the fourth quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Atlanta Falcons 40-39. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott takes the field to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott dives for a first down during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Everson Griffen (97) reacts with teammates on the bench as defensive back C.J. Goodwin recovers an onside kick late in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein (2) celebrates with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and long snapper L.P. LaDouceur (91) after kicking a 46-yard game-winning field goal on the final play of a 40-39 victory over the against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys fans celebrate after a long reception by wide receiver Amari Cooper during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein kicks a 46-yard game-winning field goal on the final play of a 40-39 victory over the against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein (2) kicks the winning field goal as Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones (6) holds in the final seconds to win against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Atlanta Falcons 40-39. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is brought down by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) and defensive back Darqueze Dennard (34) during the second quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy paces the sidelines during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback C.J. Goodwin (29) secures the ball on an onside kick attempt as Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) attempts to take it in the fourth quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Atlanta Falcons 40-39. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)