The Dallas Cowboys’ top-ranked total offense versus the Denver Broncos’ top-ranked pass rush appeared to be destined for a tight matchup, and the home team’s defense took charge early with the Broncos leading by 17, 27-10 at halftime.
Dallas, who entered with the worst total defense in football, made an early play defensively with rookie cornerback Trikweze Bridges picking off an errant throw by Denver quarterback Bo Nix on the opening drive. However, Nix and the Broncos’ offense locked in after that mistake with touchdowns on four of their next five drives of the half thanks to a 40-yard breakaway sprint down the right sideline for rookie running back RJ Harvey, a 25-yard touchdown toss from Nix to a wide open receiver in Troy Franklin, a one-yard touchdown plunge by Harvey and a 24-yard scoring strike from Nix to rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant.
All three of those drives were aided by the Cowboys’ depleted defense thanks to injuries at both the linebacker (Jack Sanborn), cornerback (Trevon Diggs) and safety (Donovan Wilson, Junayeh Thomas and Malik Hooker). Harvey’s 40-yard touchdown run involved players at both of those positions for Dallas failing to get off their blocks, and Franklin sprung wide open on a clear miscommunication in coverage. Harvey’s second touchdown was created in part because of Cowboys fill-in safety Alijah Clark’s defensive pass interference penalty that cost Dallas 32 yards. That led to Nix finishing the first 30 minutes of action with 169 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception on 13 of 17 passing. Harvey and fellow running back JK Dobbins combined for 94 yards on 10 carries, 9.4 yards per carry on top of Harvey’s two rushing scores.
Denver’s stifling defense kept Dallas’ high-flying offense mostly in check in the opening half with the Cowboys having more punts (three) than scoring drives (two). Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott also threw his first interception since Week 3 on an attempt to force a pass over the middle tight end Jake Ferguson at the end of the half. Denver rookie first-round rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron intercepted the pass. The Broncos entered Week 8 leading the NFL in quarterback pressure rate, and the pressure they applied to the Cowboys’ young offensive line limited quarterback Prescott’s first-half opportunities as he finished with 97 yards on 9 of 17 passing.
Can Dallas rally after beginning the second half with the football? Or will Denver leave the Cowboys in the dust in a runaway victory? Stay tuned to our live blog below to find out!