Dallas Cowboys Demolished in Denver

The Dallas Cowboys made a trip west over the weekend to Denver, feeling optimistic after a 44-22 home win against the Washington Commanders in Week 7. On this Sunday afternoon though, the Cowboys got waxed on both sides in a 44-24 drubbing at the hands of the Broncos. With the loss, the Cowboys dropped to 3-4-1. 

The day was rough all around, with the Cowboys trailing 27-10 at halftime, having allowed 264 yards through the first two quarters. Bronco quarterback Bo Nix was 13/17 for 169 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, while running back R.J. Harvey scored two touchdowns and receiver Troy Franklin tallied five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Nix finished 19/29 for 247 yards, four touchdowns and one interception for the now 6-2 Broncos. 

Cowboy quarterback Dak Prescott completed 19/31 passes for 188 yards and two interceptions, surely his worst outing of the season. Backup quarterback Joe Milton took over for Prescott with 7:14 remaining in the game and did throw an on-target touchdown pass to receiver Jalen Tolbert. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens both caught seven passes, Pickens for 78 yards and Lamb 74. Both though were held without a touchdown reception. Riley Moss was solid in coverage, taking over the marquee spot from Patrick Surtain II, who left the game with a shoulder injury. 

While the Cowboy defense in Week 7 held Commander quarterback Jaden Daniels to 156 yards passing and running back Jacory Crosky-Merritt to 33 yards rushing, the group looked the complete opposite - more like the group that Cowboy fans have come accustomed to seeing this season - on Sunday. Not getting pressure, leaving wide open running lanes, and allowing receivers to run freely down the field on routes. 

Franklin finished with six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns, and Courtland Sutton finished with four receptions for 67 yards. J.K. Dobbins ran for 111 yards on 14 carries, while Harvey tallied two rushing touchdowns on 6.6 yards per carry and also had a five-yard receiving touchdown. Nix has had a good season, with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Defensively, the Broncos registered two sacks, one from defensive end Zach Allen and one from end John Franklin-Myers. The Broncos are allowing 186.3 passing yards per game by opposing quarterbacks and lead the NFL in sacks with 36.

Despite two touchdowns, Cowboy running back Javonte Williams was limited to 41 yards on 13 carries, his worst game of the season outside of Week 6 at the Carolina Panthers when he was held to 29 yards on 13 carries. Rookie running back Jaydon Blue had an ok game, rushing eight times for 29 yards. The Dallas offensive line has looked good this season against less talented fronts, but against the likes of the Panthers and Broncos, the unit have struggled. They will need to pick up their level of the play in the next month as the team has games in November against the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Cowboy defense continues its poor play, proving against the Broncos that their effort against the Commanders was just an abberation. The unit allows 404.6 yards per game, the second most in the NFL (Cincinnati’s 407.9 are the worst). The defense has allowed 250 points through eight games this season, which is the third-most in franchise history. The 1960 team allowed 272 through eight games, while the 2020 unit surrendered 266 through eight games. 

The offense, meanwhile, averages 384.1 yards per game, second in the NFL to the Indianapolis Colts’ 385.3. This is an offense that can score with anyone but a defense that is approaching historically-bad territory. There is very minimal pass rush, no run resistance, and diluted defensive backs. 

CBS color commentator Tony Romo remarked toward the end of the game that the Cowboy offense will score its points, but that the defense’s penchant for allowing points will make it so that the team will be challenging for a playoff spot at the end of the season.

Truly, only if this defense decides to improve. 

Next up for the Cowboys is Monday Night Football, Nov. 3, against the Arizona Cardinals (2-5) from AT&T Stadium. The Cardinals will be coming off of their bye week, and may or may not have the services of quarterback Kyle Murray, who has not played since Week 5.