Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
FINAL | Broncos 44, Cowboys 24
Broncos four downs: Sean Payton ain’t wearing your throwbacks, but his Broncos are doing just fine
/*! This file is auto-generated */!function(d,l){“use strict”;l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&”undefined”!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll(‘iframe[data-secret=”‘+t.secret+'”]’),o=l.querySelectorAll(‘blockquote[data-secret=”‘+t.secret+'”]’),c=new RegExp(“^https?:$”,”i”),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document);
Broncos rookie RJ Harvey ran for two touchdowns and a caught another one as Denver clobbered the Cowboys, 44-24, on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver quarterback Bo Nix completed 19 of 29 passes for 247 yards and threw four touchdowns in the win.
Dallas running back Javonte Williams, in his first game back to Denver, ran for a pair of touchdowns.
Denver continued its dominance over Dallas. This was the Broncos’ eighth-straight win over the Cowboys, dating back to 1998.
It wasn’t all great for the Broncos (6-2). Star cornerback Pat Surtain II suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game in the second half.
Next up for Denver: Hosting the Texans at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
More Broncos coverage:
- Broncos four downs: Sean Payton ain’t wearing your throwbacks, but his Broncos are doing just fine.
- Broncos report card: Sean Payton, Bo Nix throw kitchen sink at Cowboys in blowout win.
- PHOTOS: Denver Broncos beat Dallas Cowboys 44-24 in NFL Week 8.
- Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II ruled out with injury against Cowboys.
- WATCH: Broncos’ Dondrea Tillman highlight-reel interception off Cowboys’ Dak Prescott.
Fourth-quarter updates
It’s Stidham time (5:21 p.m.): Jarrett Stidham is checking in. Bo Nix is done for the day. He finishes completing 19 of 29 for 247 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Cowboys (5:18 p.m.): Joe Milton III finds Jalen Tolbert for a 35-yard touchdown for Dallas. Six plays for 65 yards on that drive. Broncos 44, Cowboys 24 with 4:44 to go. — Nguyen
We’ve entered the Joe Milton portion of the proceedings.
And he immediately drives the Cowboys to a touchdown, ending with a bomb to Jalen Tolbert that beat Riley Moss in the end zone. No matter. This thing is over. — Schubert
Touchdown, Broncos (5:11 p.m.): Have a day, RJ Harvey. Bo Nix connects with the rookie for a quick 5-yard touchdown. It’s Harvey’s third TD of the day. Eight plays, 55 yards on that drive. Broncos 44, Cowboys 17 with 7:14 to go. — Nguyen
Running game (5:05 p.m.): Some notes of note. J.K. Dobbins goes over 100 yards rushing. First Broncos back to do it twice in same season since Latavius Murray in 2022. He’s having a heck of a season. And Denver scored in third quarter for the first time since Week 3. Dallas D stinks. But this game is about building confidence heading to Houston. — Renck
Picked (5 p.m.): And Dondrea Tillman picks off Dak Prescott. And then rumbles down the field for a 38-yard return. — Nguyen
Dondrea Tillman with one of the more amazing interception returns you’re going to see. Javonte Williams tried him. And it did not go well. — Schubert
Tillman new honorary member of No Fly Zone. — Renck
Who needs PS2 when you’ve got Dondrea dropping back? This game deserves a Thicc-Six. — Keeler
Roughing the passer (4:59 p.m.): Malcolm Roach with a roughing the passer penalty. Dallas is in the red zone. — Nguyen
Sacked (4:57 p.m.): Zach Allen sacks Dak Prescott for a 1-yard loss. It’s Denver’s second of the day. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (4:52 p.m.): Bo Nix finds a wide-open Troy Franklin in the back of the end zone to cap a 12-play, 84-yard drive. Broncos 37, Cowboys 17 with 12:48 to go in the game. — Nguyen
Nix to Troy Franklin on third down. And another touchdown for the second-year receiver. That’s 6 catches for 89 yards and two TDs today. — Schubert
Cowboys defense reminds me of Broncos in 2023 when played Miami and Chicago in back to back weeks. Half the players in man coverage. The other half in Zone. Nobody knows what they are doing. Franklin catches wide open TD in corner of north end zone. This is the exact kind of game Broncos offense needed heading to Houston. The young guys are popping with Harvey, Franklin and Barron. 89 yards ties Franklin’s career high. — Renck
Big gain (4:48 p.m.): Bo Nix with perhaps his best throw of the season to open the fourth quarter.
Just a perfect rainbow to Courtland Sutton as he was getting hit. — Schubert
Third-quarter thoughts — Broncos 30, Cowboys 17
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: Broncos have only punted once through three quarters and they have at least one first down on every possession but for one. A touchdown here is probably enough, but Dallas’ offense is still scary — especially with Pat Surtain II out with a shoulder injury.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: So let me get this straight: Two Broncos appeared to converge on a loose ball at the bottom of a pile, the referees uncurl the scrum, and … Dallas retains possession? I don’t believe in any conspiracies that don’t involve candy or presents, but this crew’s had some eyebrow-raising moments. And it’s the fourth quarter, so nothing outlandish or controversial is coming. Nothing at all.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Quiet, if slightly concerning third quarter. No PSII leaves vulnerable rest of the way. Broncos only had 56 yards of offense in third. Should have had a TD, but Courtland Sutton drop turned 6 into 3. Key is running the ball, playing keep away. And no turnovers.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: The best way to cover for Pat Surtain II’s absence? Score a touchdown here and don’t even allow the Cowboys the opportunity to get back in this game. J.K. Dobbins is churning out yards. Don’t make this complicated.
Third-quarter updates
Fumble (4:36 p.m.): Ja’Quan McMillian gets called for holding one play and had a chance to recover a fumble on the next but it got away from him. — Gabriel
Injury update (4:30 p.m.): Pat Surtain II has now been downgraded to OUT. Shoulder injury.
Time to find out about Jahdae Barron. — Schubert
Pat Surtain II ruled out with shoulder surgery. Buckle up CBs. Going to be a roller-coaster ride.
Broadcast showed Surtain II wrenched his left shoulder on a tackle. Then was moving his arm for a bit. But was uncomfortable as he entered locker room. — Renck
If this is a victory (and it should be), it could well be a Pyrrhic one for the Broncos. — Keeler
Field goal, Broncos (4:29 p.m.): Denver had two shots for a touchdown. Courtland Sutton had the last pass hit him square in the chest. Denver settles for a 42-yard field goal by Wil Lutz. Five plays for 22 yards on that drive. Broncos 30, Cowboys 17 with 6:02 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Courtland Sutton had a touchdown pass on his hands and dropped it. The Broncos settle for a field goal, and this is starting to feel like a game again. — Schubert
Big return (4:26 p.m.): Marvin Mims Jr. with a huge 47-yard return to the Dallas 46. Then J.K. Dobbins runs for a 25-yard gain. — Nguyen
Marvin Mims Jr. puts Broncos a first down away from field goal range. Then El Toro with big run. The response by #DenverBroncos has been impressive. — Renck
Clamp down (4:25 p.m.): Need to hold onto the ball here. Even if it just means a few first downs. Cowboys offense finally in rhythm with Surtain out. — Renck
Touchdown, Cowboys (4:22 p.m.): Tack on another PI on Riley Moss, and Javonte Williams gets his second touchdown of the day.
It’s 27-17 with 8:10 left in the third quarter. — Schubert
PI (4:21 p.m.): Another pass interference on Riley Moss. New set of downs for Dallas. — Nguyen
PI (4:19 p.m.): Pass interference and it’s Dallas first-and-goal at the 1. — Schubert
Injury update (4:19 p.m.): Allen is back on the field for third-and-goal at the 2. — Schubert
Fourth-down conversion (4:17 p.m.): Fourth-and-2 at the Broncos 26 and Dak Prescott finds George Pickens in the pocket of the zone for a gain to the 10. And now Zach Allen is being attended to by trainers. So, no PSII and no Allen. — Schubert
Driving (4:14 p.m.): Cowboys are moving the ball with ease with no PSII on the field. George Pickens had nobody within 10 yards of him on a first-down gain. — Schubert
Injury update (4:12 p.m.): Pat Surtain II is questionable to return with a shoulder injury. So, that’s two injuries for the DPOY today.
And Surtain is not on the field to start the second half. — Schubert
Halftime thoughts — Broncos 27, Cowboys 10
Luca Evans, beat writer: How about this game for the rookies, man? A key pick and PBU for first-round pick Jahdae Barron. A key couple touchdowns for second-round pick RJ Harvey. A key explosive-play TD for third-round pick Pat Bryant. Bo Nix is in rhythm, and the Broncos’ defense has kept Dak Prescott in check. What a first half.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: The Dallas Cowboys have answered an eternal question succinctly today: What if you fielded a defense made up entirely of Shilo Sanders clones? The tackling! Oh, Lordy. The tackling. Game balls to Jonathon Cooper and Quinn Meinerz so far. And hat-tip to Bo Nix for recognizing the free play, and ending the half with a sweetly-thrown, back-pylon TD to Pat Bryant for the Aaron Rodgers Special. 27 points may not win this game. But we’re in for way, way, way more points than that today, boys and girls.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: This is what good teams do. They maul bad teams. Or at least a team with an historically bad defense. Bo Nix is on point with two scores. The rookies are finally all contributing. And the defense has made Dak Prescott miserable. One thing Payton has done in his three seasons in Denver is beat bad teams. The last two weeks, it just looked awful. Today, it looks like Denver is playing against the NFC South, circa 2024.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: It’s all going well for the Broncos today. No fourth-quarter comebacks will be needed. Bo Nix has been sharp. All the rookies are doing things. And the run game is gobbling up turf. Hard to imagine this Cowboys defense having any second-half adjustments that will fix their shoddy tackling.
Second-quarter updates
Picked (3:56 p.m.): It’s a day for the Broncos’ rookies.
RJ Harvey two rushing TDs
Pat Bryant’s first TD
Jahdae Barron’s first INT. — Gabriel
Flopsie-doodle (3:55 p.m.): George Pickens tries to draw a flag with a flail. It was ineffective. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (3:51 pm.): Bo Nix goes deep and finds Pat Bryant in the corner of the end zone for a 24-yard pass. Seven plays for 72 yards on the drive. Broncos 27, Cowboys 10 with 39 seconds to go. — Nguyen
Perfectly delivered ball from Bo Nix. And Pat Bryant didn’t waste it either. The Fourth Quarter Broncos have shown up from the start today. — Schubert
That is one of Bo’s best passes of his career. Absolute dime to Pat Bryant for 24-yard score. Nix thought penalty was on Denver. Once told it was not, he raced to the end zone and got ball back and gave it to Bryant to keep. His first TD. Did same thing for Harvey earlier this season. Bo is so dangerous in uptempo. Broncos lead 27-10 with 39 seconds left in half. — Renck
Denver driving (3:50 p.m.): Six plays for 48 yards on this drive. The Broncos are at the Dallas 32 with 44 seconds to go. — Nguyen
Broncos’ stiffest resistance today is just if they get in their own way. Otherwise the Cowboys’ defense is just sort of nominally on the field. — Gabriel
Nearly picked (3:43 p.m.): If Jonathon Cooper was an inch taller, he would’ve come down with the interception. Instead, the Cowboys punt. Denver gets another crack at getting more points on the board. — Nguyen
Rookie run (3:42 p.m.): RJ Harvey is the first Broncos rookie with multiple rushing TDs in a game since Phillip Lindsay in 2018. — Gabriel
Touchdown, Broncos (3:36 p.m.): Broncos score on a direct snap to RJ Harvey for the 1-yard touchdown. Six plays, 65 yards on the drive. The two-point conversion is no good. Broncos 20, Cowboys 10 with 3:42 to go in the half. — Nguyen
#Broncos showing creativity around goal line with RJ Harvey scoring from wildcat formation. He entered day with no rushing TDs. Has two today. Maybe Payton sending a message that Broncos run game is fine without Javonte Williams, who has had rebound year for Cowboys. — Renck
Like the effort there from Sean Payton to just run the ball in a goal-line situation. Three straight carries. RJ Harvey eventually punches it in. — Evans
The Broncos have scored 53 points in their last 10 possessions. That’s good, right? Just don’t know if it’s, ya know, sustainable. — Keeler
Joker (3:33 p.m.): Evan Engram with a nice 11-yard catch-and-run to put Denver at the 2-yard line. — Nguyen
Huge PI (3:32 p.m.): That’s a big pass interference call on Dallas — 32 yards and it puts the Broncos in the red zone. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Cowboys (3:25 p.m.): And there it is: Javonte Williams gets a 1-yard TD on his return to Empower Field.
We’ve got ourselves a game. — Schubert
Javonte Williams punches in a 1-yard touchdown up the gut. Eleven plays for 59 yards on the drive. Broncos 14, Cowboys 10 with 7:29 to go in the quarter. — Nguyen
If Philly has The Tush Push, the Cowboys just ran The Butt Rut. Javonte scores anyway, and we’re back to a 1-score game. — Keeler
Cowboys started 0/3 on third down but their first two conversions of the day came on that TD drive. — Gabriel
Javonte Williams has 7 rushing TDs this season. He had 7 in his previous 3 seasons with the Broncos. — Renck
Driving (3:22 p.m.): Cowboys in the red zone after Dak Prescott finds George Pickens. — Nguyen
Hurdled (3:19 p.m.): Jaydon Blue hurdled Brandon Jones in some Horns on Horns crime. — Gabriel
First-quarter thoughts — Broncos 14, Cowboys 3
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: Denver’s offense over its past two quarters of work at Empower Field — 47 points on six touchdowns, a field goal and a pick. That’ll play.
Luca Evans, beat reporter: The Cowboys can’t swat a fly at the moment, much less capably make a tackle in the run game. There’s more holes on the back-end than a hunk of Swiss cheese. If the Broncos don’t beat themselves offensively, this could be a blowout.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: The Cowboys came in giving up almost 4.8 yards per opponent rush attempt. The Broncos are averaging 14.2 yards per tote on their first five carries. I know what the law of averages says, Sean Payton. Don’t care. Keep it simple. Pretend you’re Ohio State and the ‘Boys are Texas Tech. Pound that rock.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Cowboys fell into every Mile High trap. Kill a TD drive with false start. Multiple holding calls. And live up their reputation as a horrible defense. Encouraging start for #Broncos given how inconsistent offense has been the past three weeks.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Take away a poorly thrown ball from Bo Nix, and this Dallas Cowboys defense has done next to nothing to stop the Broncos. RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins have both busted big runs, Nix found a groove and the offensive line is looking as good as it has all season. Feels like Sean Payton might be able to name his score in this one.
First-quarter updates
Additional lineman (3:02 p.m.): J.K. Dobbins was like a left tackle on that Bo Nix-to-Troy Franklin touchdown pass. Dallas safety Markquese Ball blitzed free on the left side, but Dobbins picked him up and kept him off Nix’s blind side long enough for Franklin to flash open down the field. Great stuff from Dobbins. — Schubert
Touchdown, Broncos (2:58 p.m.): Bo Nix with the pass to find a wide-open Troy Franklin in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown. Four plays for 62 yards on the drive. Broncos 14, Cowboys 3 with 3:04 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
Broncos are averaging 13.3 yards per play through three drives and lead 14-3.
Bo Nix: 5/7 for 88, TD, INT
Denver’s run five times for 71. — Gabriel
Cowboys’ defense is a panacea for a struggling offense. Like a 7 on 11 drill. Guys wide open. Nix has not been great vs zone defense this season. But he had never faced Dallas defense before. — Renck
The Broncos have scored 47 points over their last two quarters. It’s like CU at Utah all over again! — Keeler
Big run (2:55 p.m.): Denver’s off and running today. J.K. Dobbins with a 21-yard gain on that one. — Nguyen
Dobbins puts foot in ground and cuts back for 21. O-line looks way better today at point of attack. As I say that, McGlinchey flagged for holding. But in general, O-line winning today. Was not case in previous three games. — Renck
Stacked up (2:52 p.m.): Also, to go back to the RJ Harvey touchdown run, you won’t find many better run-blocking reps this year than Quinn Meinerz ordering up the short stack. One play, two pancakes. — Gabriel
Sacked (2:51 p.m.): John Franklin-Myers gets the sack, but credit Nik Bonitto for making that happen. After a shaky start. the Broncos are in business. — Schubert
Dak Prescott’s been really good so far this season and a tough sack, but the Broncos’ league-leading pass-rush was all over him on that third down dropback. — Gabriel
PSII update (2:47 p.m.): Surtain returns on Denver’s second defensive drive. — Evans
Touchdown, Broncos (2:45 p.m.): RJ Harvey takes off for a 40-yard run up the left side for the score. Five plays, 74 yards on that drive. Broncos 7, Cowboys 3 with 8:13 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
Give RJ Harvey this much. When he breaks one, he BREAKS one. A perfectly executed toss sweep to the left results in a 40-yard touchdown. That’s how you answer. — Schubert
RJ Harvey doesn’t get to fifth gear cleanly. But man, does he get from second to fourth in a hurry. Big run. Big score, kids. Big. — Keeler
Garett Bolles with nice kick out block. Palcho and Meinerz buried their guys. Broncos run game menu is too big for my tastes. But that was really well-executed. Again, if your offense cannot get going vs. Cowboys, then when? — Renck
Going deep (2:44 p.m.): And there’s today’s obligatory overthrown deep ball to Troy Franklin. — Schubert
Huge gain (2:42 p.m.): Bo Nix delivers a strike to Troy Franklin on third-and-2. Second year receiver just sits down in the zone and Nix hits him in the numbers. — Schubert
Dallas not covering the middle of the field, for obvious reasons. And Nix is throwing it right to where Captain Obvious isn’t looking. Smart. — Keeler
PSII update (2:42 p.m.): Pat Surtain II questionable to return with “lower leg injury.” — Schubert
Field goal, Cowboys (2:39 p.m.): Broncos with nervy red-zone stop, helped by a false start to get Cowboys off the 1-yard line. Cowboys take 3-0 lead on short FG. A win for the defense based on losing Surtain II and how that drive started. — Renck
Broncos get a big-time ‘W’ in that red-zone battle. The war? With no PS2? Dicey. Buckle up. — Keeler
Big deflection (2:38 p.m.): Riley Moss pass break-up on third-and-goal. Time for the young fellas to step up. — Schubert
That is a big-league red zone stop for the Denver defense right there. — Gabriel
PSII (2:35 p.m.): Surtain is getting helped off the field. He’s putting a little bit of weight on what appears to be a right leg injury of some sort. — Schubert
Jahdae Barron, your time is now. Yikes. — Keeler
PSII down (2:34 p.m.): Riley Moss gets beat one-on-one by CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys are on the doorstep. Third-and-goal at the 1. And Pat Surtain II is on the ground. — Schubert
Big catch (2:33 p.m.): Dak Prescott finds CeeDee Lamb for a 29-yard gain. — Nguyen
Back to Denver (2:32 p.m.): Cowboys are driving and Javonte Williams is getting some push. It’s second-and-1 at the Broncos 32. — Schubert
Picked (2:28 p.m.): After getting a first down, Bo Nix throws an interception. Dallas ball at its own 48. — Nguyen
I would THINK that’s a miscommunication between Bo Nix and Pat Bryant. Otherwise, that’s just a really terrible throw from Nix. — Schubert
Coin toss (2:24 p.m.): Broncos win the toss and they want the ball.
Interesting, Sean Payton’s usually a deferrer. — Gabriel
Pre-game updates
Best jerseys (1:10 p.m.): Best jerseys saw in parking lot on the way in. Broncos No. 15 Tebow. And Cowboys No. 12 Roger Staubach. — Renck
Inactives (12:58 p.m.): Broncos specialist J.T. Gray is inactive for a second straight game since Denver signed him off Baltimore’s practice squad.
OLB Jonah Elliss is back active vs. Cowboys after missing a couple games, rookie OLB Que Robinson back inactive. Other inactives: QB Sam Ehlinger, RB Jaleel McLaughlin, DL Jordan Jackson, DL Sai’vion Jones. — Evans
Que Robinson did a nice job in his two games up but he returns to the gameday inactive list with Jonah Elliss back in the lineup this week. — Gabriel
A problem (12:44 p.m.): So much talk about the CeeDee Lamb-George Pickens v. Pat Surtain II-Riley Moss matchup. Tight end Jake Ferguson is a problem. He has 28 catches in four road games with three touchdowns. This would have been a great game to have Dre Greenlaw in coverage. Challenge is real for Singleton and Strnad. — Renck
Possible debut? (12:38 p.m.): Looks like J.T. Gray is out there warming up for the Broncos. So perhaps a debut on tap for the special teams ace signed off Baltimore’s practice squad at the beginning of last week. — Gabriel
Reunion (12:29 p.m.): Long chat and a big hug between Courtland Sutton and Javonte Williams during early warmups. — Gabriel
Injury update (12:28 p.m.): The Broncos added OL Calvin Throckmorton to their injury report today with a back issue, but he has no game status so he should be active.
Seems to be a lot of additions and changes to injury reports this week around the league, which is likely due to tightened scrutiny across the league in wake of the gambling scandals in the NBA. — Gabriel
Weather (12:26 p.m.): It’s getting cloudy here at Empower Field as kickoff draws nearer but it should be a nice afternoon for the Broncos and the Cowboys. — Gabriel
Scouting report (10:45 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Cowboys in Luca Evans’ scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Cowboys 28, Broncos 24
The Broncos’ performances offensively and in the penalty department have been enough to engineer fourth-quarter comebacks against Philadelphia and the two New York teams the past three weeks. Those three are, in order, 14th, 27th and 18th in scoring so far this season. Dallas is second. They’ve got two elite receivers, a resurgent Javonte Williams, a terrific and underrated tight end in Jake Ferguson and a quarterback in Dak Prescott who is playing at an MVP level. The Cowboys’ defense is bad and Denver’s is good, but all the same, a long dry spell or a continuation of the penalty plague will not end well this weekend.
Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Cowboys 31, Broncos 24
Denver’s dangled at the edge of a cliff for about three games now, and that ability to finish is both a skill and a cover-up for larger issues. The Broncos haven’t shown the ability to play a complete offensive game for — well, the entire year. Their underneath coverage got exposed against New York. Their special-teams play and general discipline are touch-and-go. Now the best offense in the league rolls into town, and Denver’s own offense hasn’t quite shown the consistent capability to win in a shootout (last Sunday notwithstanding).
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 27, Cowboys 24
The way the Broncos are playing is not sustainable. Puntapalooza for long stretches, blown assignments, endless penalties, all erased by magical fourth quarters. They cannot keep winning this way. But they should not have to against the Cowboys. Dallas averages 41.3 points and 441 yards at home, 24.5 and 353 on the road. And for Dallas, D has been optional. If the Broncos cannot find traction against this group, then sound the alarm. A Broncos cornerback will post an interception for the first time this season, Javonte Williams will find no room to run, and Bo Nix will rediscover the middle of the field with Evan Engram.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 25, Dallas 23
The Broncos are the NFL’s ultimate Rorschach test. Are they good? Are they lucky? They’ve stumbled and bumbled, but they’re 5-2. When the offense stinks in London, the D bails them out. When the D struggles vs. the Giants, the offense catches fire. Belief is a heck of a thing. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are 1-3 on the road, where they’re averaging 24.5 points per game, and where old pal Javonte Williams sometimes looks mortal. Sean Payton is 5-1 against NFC opponents at Empower Field, and 3-0 vs. NFC foes at home in October. It’s OK to sweat the details, given the last two weekends of weirdness. Just don’t sleep on the trends.
Broncos-Cowboys NFL Week 8: Must-reads
Here’s how much postgame interactions with NFL referee Brad Allen have cost the Denver Broncos defense
The Broncos inside linebacker room paid a steep price for the sequence that immediately followed Wil Lutz’s walk-off, 39-yard field goal Sunday against the New York Giants.
Dre Greenlaw, of course, got hit with a one-game suspension for chasing and verbally threatening referee Brad Allen, according to the NFL, which was upheld on appeal. He won’t play Sunday vs. Dallas and is out $292,778 when combining a game check and a $90,000 per-game roster bonus.
He’s not the only one impacted, though. Read Parker Gabriel’s story.
Renck: Blame Sean Payton’s play-calling if you must, but truth is Bo Nix needs to play better
Nobody is complaining. But we all know what is coming.
The Broncos cannot keep winning this way, by stinking for long stretches, then creating goosebumps that leave us running for the history books. It is not sustainable, like making every green light when late for work.
Denver is the player hitting .300 with 15 bloopers. Regression looms without a course correction. Blame Sean Payton’s play-calling if you must. But here’s the thing: Bo Nix has to play better. Read Troy Renck’s column.
Broncos HC Sean Payton: Gambling scandal involving ‘good friend’ Chauncey Billups ‘hits heavy’
Every year, the topic of prop bets comes back through Dove Valley. Broncos defensive tackle Eyioma Uwazurike was given a year-long suspension in 2023 by the NFL for betting on games, and the team holds presentations on gambling every season, head coach Sean Payton said Friday.
Betting education has now hit Denver again — along with 31 other NFL teams — after the league sent out a gambling memo Friday to every franchise in the wake of a massive federal indictment that’s caught up several former NBA players and coaches. Chief among them is Denver native and former Nuggets star Chauncey Billups, who has been accused of participating in a Mafia-backed poker game that scammed players out of millions. Read Luca Evans’ story.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
