NBC Sports’ Pat Doney, Drew Pearson and Jean-Jacques Taylor talk about what was a very disappointing performance by the Dallas Cowboys in Denver on Sunday.
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.
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform during a game between the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys 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: Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform during a game between the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys 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: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys reacts to a play in the second half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/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)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos looks on during the national anthem before a game against the Dallas Cowboys 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: Strong safety Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Dallas Cowboys 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 looks on during the national anthem before a game against the Dallas Cowboys 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: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos escapes from a group of Dallas Cowboys defenders in the first half 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: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys has a 3 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos 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: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a 3 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos 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 Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Jason Witten after throwing for a second quarter touchdown at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos keeps the ball and is chased by strong safety Kavon Frazier #35 of the Dallas Cowboys 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)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a first down catch in the second quarter of a game against the Dallas Cowboys 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 Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys passes against the Denver Broncos int he second 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: Tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos runs into the end zone with a third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos runs into the end zone with a third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos rushes past strong safety Jeff Heath #38 of the Dallas Cowboys for a third quarter touchdown 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: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a third quarter touchdown with teammates during a game against the Dallas Cowboys 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: Cornerback Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys in the end zone in the fourth 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 Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes under pressure by outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos in the fourth 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: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes against the Denver Broncos in the second half 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 Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys passes under pressure by the Denver Broncos defense in the fourth quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos and quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys shake hands on the field after a 42-17 Broncos win at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: A Denver Broncos fan cheers in the fourth quarter of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Cornerback Jourdan Lewis #27 of the Dallas Cowboys runs after a fourth quarter interception against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos scrambles against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: A Denver Broncos cherleader performs during their game against Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Terrence Williams #83 of the Dallas Cowboys tries to break free from Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Brice Butler #19of the Dallas Cowboys makes a reception against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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.
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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.
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader performs in the first half of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 03: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader entertains prior to the NFL Hall of Fame preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 3, 2017 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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.
