ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Atlanta Falcons found themselves down 14 points early Sunday afternoon to the Dallas Cowboys, but never flinched.

Instead, the Falcons hit back and remained undefeated three weeks into the NFL season.

"They have a lot of resolve to reset, come back out and finish like we did," Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said of his team. "Clearly, we were punched in the mouth and were looking to respond."

Wide receiver Julio Jones caught a pair of touchdown passes and backup running back Devonta Freeman scored three times for the Falcons, who finished the game with 25 unanswered points in a 39-28 victory over Dallas at AT&T Stadium.

Quarterback Matt Ryan was firmly in command, thanks to the combo of Freeman and Jones, who now lead the NFL with 34 receptions in three games.

The Cowboys (2-1) knew what to expect out of Jones, who came in with consecutive 100-yard receiving games. Freeman, on the other hand, was filling in for injured rookie back Tevin Coleman (ribs).

"I just believed," Freeman said. "We all believe in each other."

Jones finished with 12 catches for 164 yards and two scores, the second putting the game away with 3:09 left in the fourth quarter.

Freeman piled up career highs in yards (141) and touchdowns after totaling just 43 yards in the first two games. The second-year back out of Florida State had just two career scores before Sunday.

"There were demonstrations of toughness all over the field today," Quinn said. "That's what we're looking to be: a team that has great effort, shows out toughness and knows how to finish."

The Cowboys, in their first full game without injured quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant, had their highest scoring game of the season and several standout performances, but failed to push the ball downfield.

The defense simply failed to slow down Atlanta down the stretch.

"We just didn't get stops," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "They had a really balanced attack today. They were able to run the football from a lot of different looks."

Running back Joseph Randle scored three touchdowns, all in the first half, and quarterback Brandon Weeden (22 of 26 for 232 yards, one interception) was competent in his second start since joining the Cowboys as Romo's backup in 2014.

"I felt it was an efficient day, smart day," Weeden said. "We took what they gave us."

The Falcons, 3-0 for the first time since 2012, rallied from an 11-point deficit at the half with two unanswered touchdowns to take a 32-28 lead.

Jones broke free on Atlanta's second possession of the second half, scoring on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Ryan (24 of 36, 285 yards, two TDs) followed with a two-point conversion to tight end Levine Toilolo to pull within 28-25.

After forcing a Dallas punt, Freeman found the end zone for the third time to put the finishing touchdowns on a methodical drive that covered 89 yards.

Dallas dominated the first half behind an offensive line that gave Weeden time to operate and opened up holes for whomever he handed the ball off.

The Cowboys didn't need long to get on the board, riding two big runs from Randle on their opening drive. After scampering 28 yards on his first touch, Randle broke a couple of tackles at the line and outraced the Falcons to the goal line for a 37-yard score.

Dallas was up 14-0 midway through the first quarter after Randle's second touchdown run. Weeden played a bigger role on the 77-yard march, completing all four of his attempts for 56 yards before Randle finished it off from a yard out.

Ryan, perhaps feeling a sense of urgency, engineered an impressive 80-yard touchdown drive in 11 plays. Freeman carried the ball the last three yards for Atlanta's first score.

The Cowboys made it 21-7 halfway through the second quarter with another ground-based possession. This time running back Darren McFadden scored on a short dash around the left side.

Atlanta cut it to 21-14 after Weeden's first incompletion, which also happened to be an interception by safety William Moore.

Freeman capped the quick 23-yard drive with his second touchdown from two yards out.

Dallas didn't settle for a seven-point lead going into the locker room, going 80 yards in just 98 seconds for Randle's third rushing touchdown.

With only 40 seconds before halftime, Ryan got the Falcons into field-goal range. Kicker Matt Bryant's 32-yarder cut Dallas' lead to 28-17 at the break.

NOTES: Cowboys rookie G La'el Collins made his first career start with G Ronald Leary (groin) out. Other Dallas inactives were: DE Jeremy Mincey, QB Matt Cassel, WR Dez Bryant, RB Christine Michael, DE Randy Gregory and TE Geoff Swain. QB Tony Romo was placed on the IR/designated to return list last week. ... Atlanta inactives: WR Devin Hester, LB Brooks Reed, T Jake Long, RB Tevin Coleman, C Gino Gradkowski and T Bryce Harris. ... Dallas is at New Orleans next Sunday, while the Falcons host Houston.