Breaking down the Dallas Cowboys Week 2 debacle in Denver

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys forcing a fumble and turnover in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys forcing a fumble and turnover in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
  • The bottom line and possibly the most troubling thing from this game was the lack of physicality. This team built on running the ball and playing sound defense.  Dallas does not try to fool opponents. Their success is in the execution.  Instead, the Denver defense spent too much time in the Dallas backfield or holding up the line of scrimmage.

On the flip side, Denver players routinely ran over, through and around this Dallas defense.  It’s one thing to lose because the other team outplayed you.

It’s another to get your lunch money stolen from you and not fight back. This aspect may have been the most embarrassing from all of the possible options to choose from.

  • For all that, if you want to find something positive to take away from this game, here a couple things. Demarcus Lawrence is absolutely beasting so far in 2017. In just two games, he already has four sacks and a forced fumble. Last year’s leading sack artist put up just six.  Clearly, Lawrence will not finish with 32 sacks on the year, but even if he gets 10+, the Cowboys will be ecstatic.

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Other positives include Jason Witten going over 1,100 career receptions and 12,000 career yards. While the majority of the team did not come to play, that’s never a concern for Witten.

You also have to give La’el Collins credit for his performance against Von Miller. Yes, Miller did get two sacks in this game but both came in garbage time. It would appear that the Cowboys have a legit right tackle.

With that, we’re on to Arizona.