The Dallas Cowboys just don’t have it in them to win two in a row. For the third time this season, they have followed up a good win with a disappointing loss, this time losing to the Broncos 44-24. Any time this team provides us with an ounce of goodness, they turn around and remind everyone that they just don’t have what it takes to make a strong push this season.
This game had a few things to get excited about as they fell behind early and never could put a dent in the lead. Here are 10 thoughts on this latest Mile High letdown.
1. A great start
The game couldn’t have started any better when the Cowboys’ defense got off the field after just three plays. Denver’s first two offensive plays yielded seven and then 11 yards, but when Bo Nix tried to hit receiver Patrick Bryant II on a slant, the ball was thrown behind him and landed in the arms of Cowboys’ cornerback Trikweze Bridges. Just like that, the Cowboys had the ball near midfield and were ready to strike first blood.
2. An unfortunate stallout
The Cowboys quickly drove down the field on their first offensive possession and were set up nicely to get into the end zone first when Dak Prescott connected with CeeDee Lamb on a nice 29-yard gain that set the Cowboys up first-and-goal at the three-yard line. After a two-yard run put them out the one, they oddly went away from the run and tried to pass it in. Then, a false start from Brock Hoffman backed them up five yards, and after another failed passing attempt, the Cowboys were forced to settle for a chip-shot Brandon Aubrey field goal. In a game where the margin of error was small, the team couldn’t capitalize on a great opportunity.
3. Another damaging penalty
It was frustrating that a false-start penalty helped stall out a chance to punch it in at the goal line, but that frustration grew even further when another opportunity was squandered on the Broncos’ next possession. The Cowboys appeared to have forced the Broncos into a three-and-out after a Bo Nix pass to Courtland Sutton fell incomplete; however, James Houston was flagged for lining up offsides. The Broncos’ drive stayed alive, and they took full advantage, scoring a 40-yard touchdown three plays later. Instead of getting off the field, the defense faltered, and the Cowboys quickly found themselves trailing 7-3.
4. Run defense struggles
The Broncos’ rushing attack finished with 179 yards on the ground at a tune of 6.4 yards per carry. J.K. Dobbins handled most of the workload, rushing for 111 yards at a rate of 7.4 yards per carry. His sidekick, R.J. Harvey, added another 46 yards at 6.4 yards per carry himself, with most of them coming on a 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The defense constantly allowed the Broncos to run through gaping holes with no glimpse of being able to stop them. The only thing that kept them from rushing for even more yards was the ease with which they were able to dissect the Cowboys’ passing defense, which leads us to our next item.
5. Depleted secondary
Everyone knew it was going to be tough sledding for the Cowboys’ defense with so many defensive backs out of action. Both their starting safeties, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson, were out, as was their top backup safety, Juanyeh Thomas. They were also without cornerback Trevon Diggs, who they just placed on injured reserve. This meant a lot of snaps for bottom-roster guys like Trikweze Bridges, Reddy Steward, and recently called-up Alijah Clark. Nix took full advantage, spreading the love as three different receivers (Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, and Patrick Bryant II) had catches of at least 20 yards. Nix had all day to throw, as he was never sacked and finished the game with four touchdown passes.
6. A let-down at the end of the first half
The Broncos drove down 65 yards on six plays to score a touchdown to go up 20-10 with just under four minutes left in the half. It was crucial that the Cowboys’ offense answer back and, at the very least, get a field goal to cut it to a one-score game. But instead of scoring, the offense went three-and-out, giving Denver one last crack before halftime. And sadly, they took advantage, going 72 yards on seven plays, scoring another touchdown, aming the lead now 27-10. The offense still had a chance to get in Aubrey range with 39 seconds left, but they squandered that when Prescott threw into coverage and the ball was picked. The Cowboys have been masterful this season in punishing teams right before the half, but in this one, they were the ones being punished.
7. Turnover streak is over
The Cowboys were coming off four-straight games without committing a turnover. You might be shocked to learn that this was the first time in the team’s storied 66-year history that they had ever accomplished such a feat. Sadly, the streak is no more as Prescott threw two interceptions in this game. They almost had a third turnover when rookie running back Jaydon Blue had the ball pop out after being sandwiched, but the team was fortunate to have Brock Hoffman jump on it and hang on for dear life as he convinced the referees that he was the one who recovered it.
8. Playing scared
Not only did Schottenheimer have some questionable playcalling in this game, but he also made an unusual decision to punt the ball away with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. After the Broncos kicked a field goal to make it a 30-17 game, the Cowboys’ offense desperately needed to answer with points. The offense drove close to midfield, but failed to convert on a third-and-six after a pass to KaVontae Turpin was incomplete. But instead of going for it on fourth down, Schottenheimer opted to punt. What was he thinking? Denver had just scored points on five of their last six drives, including four touchdowns. The defense wasn’t showing the ability to make stops, so giving up that possession felt like the Cowboys were giving up the game.
9. Broncos have their number
You have probably heard that it’s been 30 years since the Cowboys last beat the Broncos in a game. Denver has now won their last eight games against Dallas during that span. Over the last three contests, not only have the Broncos come away victorious, but they have also laid the hurt on the Cowboys, holding a lead of at least 25 points at some point in the fourth quarter. For some reason, the Cowboys just haven’t shown up ready to play against the Broncos, and Sunday was no different.
10. A Milton sighting
One positive about a game that got out of hand is that we got to see a little more of second-year quarterback Joe Milton III. The young quarterback looked sharp, completing three of his four passes for 58 yards, including a perfectly placed 35-yard touchdown strike to Jalen Tolbert. It wasn’t much, but it was nice to see him string together a nice drive even if it was in garbage time.
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