ARLINGTON — Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking talked about how Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner can rev it up to a second level on Sunday. The way the Cowboys played run defense however, Turner had a hard time getting out of neutral.

The Cowboys held Turner in check, a key part of a 34-21 Dallas win on Sunday before 81,521 spectators at Cowboys Stadium. While Turner did have a two-yard touchdown run with 5:26 left in the third quarter, cutting the Dallas lead to 17-14, he was held to 50 yards rushing on 18 carries, a 2.8-yards-per-carry average.

Some experts believe Turner is the second-best running back in the NFL to Minnesota standout — and Palestine native — Adrian Peterson. In 2008, Turner rushed for 1,699 yards, second in the league to Peterson's total of 1,760.

Brooking knows Turner's abilities better than most. He played with the Falcons for 11 seasons before signing with the Cowboys in February.

"When he (Turner) gets to the second level with his big body and legs, it can be embarrassing," said Brooking, who had two tackles. "Our defensive line kept him from getting to that level. Our D-line made play after play."

Atlanta reserve Jason Snelling had 68 yards rushing on seven carries, an average of 9.7 yards. Brooking said his defense was out-schemed a couple times, a sentiment echoed by Cowboys coach Wade Phillips.

"In fact, we relaxed a little bit when he (Snelling) got out there because we didn't think they were going to run the football because they hadn't established the run with Michael and they caught us a couple times," Phillips said.

Overall however, it was a job well done for the Cowboys because of the victory, and some personal satisfaction for Brooking.

Brooking was considered a leader in Atlanta, helping the Falcons advance to its only Super Bowl appearance in his rookie season in 1998, losing to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII, 34-19.

Brooking could have signed with the Falcons in the offseason, but would have likely taken a pay cut.

"Some of this game was personal. I was told by a coach in Atlanta that this is a young man's game," said Brooking, who has 39 tackles for the Cowboys this season. "I guess this old boy can play."

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Jefferson's Holland

inactive again

Dallas offensive guard Montrae Holland was an inactive for Sunday's game. A Jefferson native, Holland has been inactive for all six Cowboys games this season. In 2008, Holland played seven games for the Cowboys, starting two.

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A hard homecoming

for Rossum

Allen Rossum played his first game for the Cowboys on Sunday. A Dallas native who played at Skyline High School, Rossum returned five kickoffs and three punts for touchdowns in 11-plus seasons with Philadelphia, Green Bay, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and San Francisco. Rossum was cut by San Francisco on Oct. 12, then was signed by the Cowboys two days later.

While making his first kickoff return for the Cowboys on Sunday, Rossum suffered a hamstring injury and did not return.