ARLINGTON, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys were defeated by the Denver Broncos this Sunday in all aspects of the game, including the fans in the stands …
It was the Cowboys’ worst offensive day this season; the team from a year ago seemed unable to move the chains, much less the scoreboard. And on the other side of the ball, the defense never could neither physically nor soccer.
The players and coaches themselves recognized that it had been a bad game in all phases, on and off the AT&T Stadium field of play, where a good part of the 93,503 fans wore the Broncos colors and were noted in their scandal in every play.
“We didn’t do it today,” McCarthy told a news conference. “They played better than us and were better trained. Ultimately the physical aspect was not where I would have thought.”
True, the 30-16 score the Cowboys lost doesn’t even demonstrate the Broncos’ offensive superiority over a defense, reminiscent of the old days at Arlington; the one that seemed incapable of tackling any running back and that against the passing game seemed to be chronically misled.
The Broncos surpassed 400 total yards of offense, including 190 per run between their two main running backs Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, who had the luxury of dragging half the defenders on their backs and shoulders.
Dallas’ defense again doubled up in momentous moments, like third down (8/15) when the game was still competitive.
That controversial referee marking in the third quarter, when the score was 16-0, in which the Cowboys blocked the kick and the ball was returned in first and 10 to the Broncos, probably did not help either, on the grounds that a player Dallas’ (Jayron Kearse) had touched the ball after the line of scrimmage …
But the reality is that the premises seemed sleepy and inoperative almost completely.
“I just think the Broncos played really well,” said rookie linebacker Micah Parsons. “But they didn’t have our best game either. We have no excuses.”
Parsons was one of the few Dallas players who ran well and at top speed across the field. He had 10 tackles, including eight straight and 2.5 quarterback sacks, because many of Leighton Vander Esch’s 12 tackles happened when they had already gained him or first-and-10 yards.
The front only pressed for moments and they were few. Trevon Diggs was not on his best day in high school, for the second game in a row and what to say about Anthony Brown, who seems to miss every starting opportunity the Cowboys give him.
“They came to play better, tougher and more physical than us,” acknowledged Parsons. “We could never get momentum. It’s a good opportunity to learn and grow.”
Dallas’s attack was nil, led by Prescott, whose offense came in as the best in the NFL in almost any relevant section. This Sunday she was stopped in her tracks.
The Cowboys entered the stadium averaging 40.3 points in three home games this season. This day, their first points came with 4:08 minutes to go, when they were already down 30-0.
Prescott was midway through the third quarter with five completions on 16 attempts and finished with 19 of 39, 232 yards and two touchdowns; almost all those statistics with the game already decided.
Catchers like Amari Cooper dropped by the numbers when the game was still decided. And Prescott missed a few others, including a couple to CeeDee Lamb, when it looked like they could still come back in the game.
“Obviously, I wasn’t as clean as I normally am,” Prescott said. “I failed a few passes and my calf had nothing to do with it.”
It also didn’t help Terence Steele’s job at left tackle, replacing the injured Tyron Smith, after he had been successful in his previous six games as a right-side starter.
“It was harder than I thought,” Steele said. “They have a good defense, with good defensive ends. It was difficult. But whatever this team asks of me, I will try to do my best. I will be the best offensive lineman that I can be.
The Cowboys (6-2), still in first place in the Eastern Division of the National Conference, will host the Falcons (4-2) next Sunday, who will arrive motivated with their victory over the Saints.
“It was embarrassing today,” acknowledged safety Jayron Kearse. “All parties to this should feel ashamed.”
