(Photo: NBC DFW)

Intriguing Game- NFL , Week 8

Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos

Cowboys (3-3-1):

Sunday was actually the best they’ve looked all season as a whole. Their offense received a boost with the return of CeeDee Lamb, and even in his absence, George Pickens stepped up and put up some big-time numbers for this offense—which leads to my next point. I don’t have a single issue with this offense, and having a healthy Dak Prescott makes all the difference. If they had a better record, Dak would be near the top of the MVP rankings in my opinion. He continues to put up quality numbers for an offense that has ranked among the best in the league this season. For years, I’ve always said the Cowboys must establish the run because they aren’t built to win shootouts—it’s simply not their game. This year, that narrative has gone out the window. They’ve played with the right amount of balance, but most importantly, they’re establishing the running game more, and Javonte Williams is contributing. As strong as the offense has been, the defense has been anything but. It’s simple football fundamentals—missed tackles, blown coverages in the secondary, and a lack of communication as a unit. Against the Washington Commanders in Week 7, though, this was the best they’ve played, and I was impressed. If I’m being honest, the Cowboys haven’t looked all that bad; they just take the brunt of the jokes because of who they are. This Sunday, they’ll make their way to the Mile High City.

Broncos (5-2):

What a game that was on Sunday—that’s exactly what makes this sport so incredible! They were done for, and the Giants had that game wrapped up, right? Not at all. Football games aren’t over until the final whistle blows and the clock hits triple zeros. Nowadays, a football game is never truly over. Just a few seasons ago, we saw a Colts team blow a 33-point lead to the Vikings. And how could we forget Super Bowl 51—28–3? Not only did the Giants blow an 18-point lead, but they also beat themselves in the process with missed extra points and poor clock management. On the Broncos’ end, they got the ball back and managed things perfectly. Just last week, I referenced a tweet saying it feels like 2007 all over again, with the Chargers, Steelers, Colts, and Patriots all leading their divisions—exactly how it was 18 years ago. I saw another one referencing the current AFC division leaders, and it felt like 2014. Back then, Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Tom Brady were all still active players. This is a gritty Denver team determined to prove last year wasn’t a fluke. Right now, they sit atop the AFC West. The only thing that worries me is how they perform against a competent offense—I still don’t know which version of Bo Nix will show up. They welcome the Cowboys to town on Sunday.

Cowboys X-Factor: Jake Ferguson

Dak has his share of weapons to spread the football around, and Jake Ferguson is one of them. Here’s why I picked Jake as the X-Factor for the Cowboys this Sunday: This Broncos defense under Vance Joseph tends to defend the perimeter very well, but they can be exploited through the seams and underneath zones—exactly where Jake thrives. He also serves as a safety valve for Dak when his first two reads are taken away. Ferguson’s reliability on short-to-intermediate routes gives Dak a quick, dependable outlet.

Broncos X-Factor: Zach Allen

This Denver defense is full of playmakers, and Zach Allen is one of them. Now, y’all know what I’m about to say: You better have game if you’ve got two first names—and believe me, this guy does! Dak Prescott tends to struggle most when pressure comes up the middle, not just off the edge. Zach is one of the more complete 3–4 defensive ends in the league and has the ability to collapse the pocket and force Dak off his spot, where his accuracy can falter a bit. He’s also strong against the run.

Final Thoughts:

This has the makings of one of the best games of Week 8, in my opinion. I still remember previewing the 2013 matchup between these two in Arlington—Peyton Manning was quarterbacking the Broncos at the time, having a historic season, and Tony Romo was under center for the Cowboys. Twelve years later, neither of those guys is walking through the door for this one. Keys for a Dallas victory: Keep Dak protected from a ferocious Broncos pass rush that can get home at any time. Establish Javonte Williams and the running game against a solid Denver run defense. Finally, the defense must win on third down and get off the field. Keys for Denver: Can their offense get off to a fast start and establish momentum early? I’ve questioned them throughout the year—they show flashes of consistency but need to control the clock, dominate the line of scrimmage, and play a full 60 minutes against a superior opponent. I can’t wait to see this Broncos pass rush go against Dak, who’s putting together one of his best seasons. The Cowboys haven’t beaten the Broncos since 1995. I like Denver at home to win another thriller.

Prediction:

Broncos 31, Cowboys 29