Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos: What to watch for
By Tyrone Starr
This week, Dallas will need the same type of performance on both sides of the ball if they want to improve to 2-0. Going on the road is always hard. Facing a team like the Denver Broncos makes that task damn near monumental.
The Broncos are 34-7 since 2012 at home. The mixture of thin air and a stout defense, more than make up for an offense in transition. Playmakers and household names are all on display on both sides of the ball for this AFC stalwart.
So, how do the Dallas Cowboys go into Denver and come away victorious? Here are some things to what to watch for in this epic matchup this afternoon:
- Von Miller. I could get cute here and try to hammer home a point about how crucial Miller is to this game. It’s unnecessary. I know he’s never officially won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. It doesn’t matter. For my money, Miller is the best defender in football.
How the Cowboys offensive line, specifically right tackle La’el Collins, stands up to Miller’s array of pass rush efforts will be the biggest key to this game. If Miller is in the backfield often, this game could easily get away from Dallas. Limiting him to one sack or less will be a tough task but Collins did well last week against another good pass rusher. He’ll need to step up that effort even more against one of league’s best.
- Along those lines, one thing going for the Cowboys will be the interior protection that Prescott will get. Given that the Broncos employ a 3-4 style defense, Dallas could exploit the fact they have such a dominant guard/center combination to their advantage.
You know about the All-Pro guard in Zack Martin and center Travis Frederick. What you might not know is how well the other guard played last week. Making his first career start inside, Chaz Green more than held his own. In fact, Green did not allow a single pressure against the Giants. Expect to see Prescott move up in the pocket more today and possibly take off on a few more runs.