Jamal Anderson will carry a big load for Atlanta on Monday.

Falcons (0-1) at Cowboys (1-0)
9 p.m. ET, ABC
Line: No line (injuries)
Preview | Baxter Bits
Ron Jaworski's Monday night breakdown

Why to watch:
Because this is a meeting of two NFC division winners from 1998, but there are major questions about both teams. The Falcons are trying to prove their NFC title wasn't a fluke, but they probably won't have QB Chris Chandler available as they try to avoid an 0-2 start. Dallas had to rally from a 21-point deficit and then won in overtime last week at Washington. The Cowboys appeared to have some major problems on defense, where Leon Lett has been suspended seven games, and Deion Sanders (toe injury) will again be a game-time decision.

Who to watch:
Falcons QB Tony Graziani likely will start in place of Chandler, and he will try to change Atlanta's awful track record in games Chandler doesn't start. Falcons RB Jamal Anderson was held to 50 yards by Minnesota last week, but the NFC rushing champ will look to crank it up against a Dallas front that really misses Lett. Cowboys WR Michael Irvin had two TD catches in the opener after grabbing only one in all of 1998. Cowboys QB Troy Aikman appears to like having speedy WR Rocket Ismail -- he threw for five TDs last week for the first time in his career.

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	Kreidler: a big job in Big D Ron Jaworski's breakdown ABC MNF Online MNF Scouting Report Playbook: Emmitt Smith Playbook: Jamal Anderson

Falcons' number to know:
Since Chandler joined the Falcons in 1997, Atlanta is 22-5 in games that Chandler starts and finishes -- that includes a 2-1 record in playoff games. However, the Falcons are 1-8 in other games, including last Sunday's loss to the Vikings in which Chandler strained his hamstring with 3:38 remaining.

Cowboys' number to know:
Without injured CBs Kevin Smith and Deion Sanders, Dallas allowed 369 yards passing last week to the Redskins, who scored on pass plays of 41 and 50 yards. Cowboys CBs Kevin Mathis and Charlie Williams will be tested again by Falcons WRs Terance Mathis and Chris Calloway.

What it means:
The Falcons, who are playing on Monday Night Football for the first time since 1996 and only the second time in six years, can make a big statement by winning on the road. Atlanta is just 1-7 in Monday night road games in its history. The Cowboys need to prove their patchwork defense can stop someone -- even if it's a team without its starting quarterback.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Falcons' game plan:
Jamal Anderson had better eat well this week because he will have to carry the load for an Atlanta offense that probably won't have Chris Chandler. But this is a good time for Tony Graziani to break in. The Cowboys defense is suspect, especially in the secondary. Graziani has good feet, so the Falcons will try to roll him out and let him throw on the run. He has an opportunity to make some plays.

Atlanta might use some trickery, perhaps involving Tim Dwight, their fastest player. Plus, Anderson will have to run the ball effectively against a Dallas defense that knows he'll be getting the ball. The Falcons will try to get maximum protection on passing downs and work the ball to the receivers, who will be going against single coverage. They need to get tight end O.J. Santiago more involved because, with his size, he's a good matchup for them over the middle.

The best matchup of the game is the Falcons defense against the Cowboys offense. Atlanta has a great run defense, led by linebacker Jessie Tuggle. The Falcons have a smart secondary, which won't make bad decisions like the Redskins made against the Cowboys last week. The focal point for the Falcons will still be stopping Emmitt Smith.

When the Cowboys have their most success, it's when Aikman only throws 18-25 times a game. He's very accurate and efficient, but Smith sets up the pass with his running ability. The Falcons can't let Smith get his carries. That would take away what Dallas does well, running play-action fakes. The defense must give Graziani and the offense good field position, and it starts by stopping Smith.

Cowboys' game plan:
The Dallas offense has been rejuvenated. The big three of Aikman, Smith and Michael Irvin never left, but some people think they did. They have a riled-up offensive line, they have an excited running back, one of the toughest and underrated quarterbacks. He is focused.

The Cowboys need to continue to establish tight end David LaFleur as they did last week against the Redskins, when LaFleur caught two touchdown passes. That will create more single coverage against Irvin and Rocket Ismail. Irvin is a very good route runner, and Ismail is a still a burner. I like that the Cowboys are taking chances down the field more. Aikman throws a good deep ball, and the Cowboys are one of the best play-action teams in the league when they are running.

Defensively, Dallas struggled at Washington and had problems in the secondary without Deion Sanders. Will he have a coming-out party Monday night and how healthy is he? Can they finally put pressure on the quarterback? Is Alonzo Spellman better inside or outside? Now that Leon Lett is out seven games, how will they react?

With Graziani at quarterback for Atlanta, Dallas will load the line of scrimmage to stop Anderson. The 'Boys will play single coverage on the outside and not allow the Falcons to get any home-run balls. They will keep everything in front of them. Chris Calloway and Terance Mathis are possession receivers. If Deion plays, at 80 percent he can still run with most receivers. I would make the Falcons get into a deep-throwing contest, because that's not their strength.

Anderson will get a lot of carries, so the Cowboys need to make him pay. But if the Falcons come into Texas Stadium and beat them with Graziani at quarterback, there's something wrong with the Dallas defense.

Pivotal Player:
Graziani. He needs to understand the pressure is on. Instead of the coaching staff protecting him, they need to tell him to win the game for them. The Falcons will still try to pound the football with Anderson, but Graziani still needs to make a few big plays in order for Atlanta to win.