(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)

TOMMIE TEAL - SACRAMENTO, CA: The Cowboys are around the bottom of the league in just about every meaningful defensive category right now - passing yards allowed per game (26th), interceptions (32nd), forced fumbles (30th), sacks (23rd), and total yards allowed per game (22nd). Is there any hope for the defense this season?

Nick: You can always pinpoint the right stats to make an argument. I can come back and say this team is tied for 12th in points allowed and that includes 38 points in which the offense turned the ball over that led directly to points. To me, points are the most important stat and the Cowboys' defense has done a good job of keeping teams out of the end zone for the most part. When you look at these five games, can you really blame the defense for the 3-2 record? So if you ask if there's any hope for the defense, what does that say about the offense.

Rob: Those stats are a bit misleading because they've been much better the last three games. The key, though, is getting off the field at the end of the game. Wade Phillips is working on the two-minute extensively in practice, sending in signals late so they can get used to a quicker pace. The Falcons like to run no-huddle, so improvement will be important in this game.

Josh: There's definitely hope, because you'd have to say they've been much improved over the last three games. There are two things they need to do as a unit: finish the game, and make the play. They've dropped some interceptions and let down late in four out of five games. Turn those two parts around and you're talking about a really good defense.

KYLE NARCISO - SALINAS, CA: What has been the problem with Nick Folk the past few games? Last year and his rookie year he seemed to be drilling kicks with greater consistency. The Cowboys need him to return to form and put more points on the board.

Nick: I'm not sure he's 100 percent healthy. He says he's fine but you wonder if that hip injury that required surgery is affecting him still. Now that last kick in Kansas City was a bad hold - he kicked the laces. But you're right, he hasn't been as consistent.

Rob: I think he's still rounding into form coming off hip surgery. In some ways he's a victim of his own success. The guy has missed two of 10 field goal tries this year. I think he'll be fine.

Josh: I don't think there's anything wrong with Folk, given that the miss against Kansas City was the result of a bad hold. Kickers are going to miss, it happens. As good as Folk's been since he got here he deserves the benefit of the doubt, doesn't he?

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