FRISCO, Texas -- The ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ will make their first trip to Mile High since 2017 to play the Denver Broncos this coming Sunday, and will be looking for their first win over Denver since 1995, losing their last seven matchups against them.
It's a battle of two of the league's best units: The Cowboys' offense, and the Broncos' defense. Dallas comes into the game leading the league in total yardage per game, and Denver is third in yards allowed per game and first in sacks as a whole. It'll be a big test for Dak Prescott and company, who have been on a tear to start the year.
And on the other side, what answers will the Cowboys defense have for a Sean Payton offense led by Bo Nix? Dallas played one of, if not their best defensive game of the season last week against the Commanders, and they'll certainly need to bring their best in this game to give their offense as many opportunities as possible to put points on the board.
Our staff writers at DallasCowboys.com have their weekly picks locked in ahead of Sunday:
Tommy: This'll be the biggest test maybe of the whole season for the Cowboys' offense. I think Denver has the best defense in football, and it's because they are really good at running Vance Joseph's system. Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen on the defensive line, and of course a loaded secondary led by the reigning defensive player of the year Pat Surtain are the pieces you'd want to be able to lead that unit. It's going to be a really fun battle to watch when Brian Schottenheimer's high-octane offense goes against them. The biggest question for me is if the Cowboys' offensive line can hold on for 60 minutes against the best pass rush in football? When they haven't been able to hold up, Dak Prescott has helped by getting the ball out quickly, but is that a feasible plan against this secondary? And then there's the Cowboys' defense, who have struggled to find much if any consistency so far this year. What'll they be able to do against a sound, balanced offense? I think it's close, but ultimately not in Dallas' favor this week. Broncos 31, Cowboys 24
Patrik: It is not an understatement to pit this as the unstoppable force (Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' offense) against the immovable object (the Broncos defense). It's the best offense in the league against one of the most stingy defenses around, and a physical one, at that. There is no shortage of excitement here for me in waiting to see that matchup, though there is concern surrounding Dallas' defense, because I can only hope they transplant the formula they used to strangle the Commanders to their battle against a Sean Payton orchestrated offense that dropped 33 points in the fourth quarter of last week's game to mount a massive comeback against the Giants. I hope Eberflus has learned his lesson, and that his players do their jobs to help him succeed and, from there, I'm giving the slight edge to the Cowboys because Prescott is bringing CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson and Javonte Williams, who wants nothing more than to run for a million yards against his former team that gave up on him. 30-27, Cowboys
Nick: I've been hearing a lot of the Broncos defense this week, but all I know is the Broncos needed an act from God and tons of help from the Giants to even win that game last week. I know New York is playing better but whose offense is better than the Cowboys right now? I just think the Cowboys will score a lot and while the Broncos have struggled offensively, we know this defense is one that can be very generous to opposing quarterbacks. I fully expect Bo Nix and this Broncos offense to get it going much quicker than we saw a week ago. But if we're going to play that game, then let's say the Cowboys defense will continue to improve. We've seen a turnover in each of the last three games, including two takeaways and a Pick 6 last week.
Add it all up, I while I'm not sure the Cowboys are the better team, I really don't think the Broncos are a 6-2 team. That's what their record will be if they win. I just don't see it. Give me the Cowboys 33-21. One of the callers this week reminded me that it has been 33 years since the Cowboys won in Denver. Javonte Williams is returning to Denver, wearing 33, just like Tony Dorsett, who also played in Denver. Ok, so I'll stick to the 33 theme and give me Dallas to win 33-21.
Mickey Spagnola: Well, this is my gut feeling for what needs to take place if the Cowboys can go on the road a Mile High to interrupt the 5-2 Broncos four-game winning streak. Cowboys running back Javonte Williams must be Sunday's Homecoming King, returning to Denver where he spent his first four NFL seasons before signing that free-agent contract with the Cowboys this offseason. The Cowboys need Williams, the NFL's second leading rusher with 592 yards, to have a big day, and he can't do this all by himself. The offensive line must play well against a sensational Denver defense if Williams and the Cowboys are to be effective running the ball. Do that, and that will help with the pass protection against the defense leading the NFL with 34 sacks. Do that, and Dak will have another big day throwing the ball. Do that and the Cowboys can win consecutive games for the first time this season.
