Here’s an instant analysis of the Cowboys 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Cowboys’ much-hyped offense is built around a running game that hasn’t done all that much in the season’s first two games. Ezekiel Elliott has only one run of more than 10 yards, which means the Cowboys have had to throw the ball considerably more than they want to do it.
That’s something that must be corrected quickly because this offense was never about Dak Prescott; it has always been about Elliott.
Images from the Sideline: Broncos 42, Cowboys 17
Injuries decimated the Cowboys’ secondary Sunday - Orlando Scandrick (hand) missed the game and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) and Nolan Carroll (concussion) left the game in the first half. Maybe, we shouldn’t be surprised Trevor Siemian had his way with the Cowboys’ offense.
Dallas, Philadelphia and Washington are each 1-1 and tied for first in the NFC East. The New York Giants (0-1) play Detroit on Monday night.
TURNING POINT: When you get hammered the way Denver hammered the Cowboys on Sunday, it’s hard to find a true turning point. That said, Denver faced third-and-11 from the Dallas 30. Force a field goal and the Cowboys would still be in position to rally. Instead, C.J. Anderson caught a short pass int he middle, made a couple of defenders miss and dragged another and stretched for the the first down. Four plays later, the Broncos led 28-10.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Siemian was terrific, in part, because the Cowboys never figured out how to rattle him. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 231 yards with four touchdowns.
2017 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
KEY STAT: Ezekiel Elliott had a career-low eight yards on nine carries. Elliott, who had gained at least 80 yards in each of his last 15 games, had a long run of five yards.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Cowboys, who did not lose consecutive games in 2016, will travel to Arizona (1-1) on Monday Night Football to face the Cardinals. Arizona beat the Indianapolis Colts, 16-13, in overtime on Sunday night. The Cardinals have beaten the Cowboys four consecutive times, including a 28-17 win in 2014.
