Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys: Preseason Game Recap

Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys: Preseason Game 2 Recap

The Broncos took a step back Saturday against the Cowboys, loosing 31-20. The game started sloppy for Denver, the first team looked off a step, and to top it off, there were big- time injuries. Denver lost Ebenezer Ekuban for the entire 2007 with a torn Achilles tendon while, Travis Henry and Mike Bell went down with injuries but both are expected back next week. It was all Dallas, the final score was 31-20.

Denver started slow with fumbles by Jay Cutler and Henry that led to Dallas scores. For two quarters, the Dallas full- throttle, get after the quarterback 3-4 scheme, worked perfectly and Dallas took a commanding 14-0 lead. Dallas and Denver practiced all week leading up to the game on Saturday-- the Cowboys either held back, or figured something out during those practices as it was all Dallas.

Cutler was flustered by the numerous blitz packages that Dallas threw at him and he completed just 7 of 13 pass attempts for 58 yards while failing to convert on third down five times. "We just have to learn from this experience and get back to work," said Cutler. Henry was held in check and totaled only 25 yards on 10 carries before spraining his left knee-- MRI results showed no significant damage.

The Broncos were limited to two first- half field goals by Jason Elam. Patrick Ramsey led both of Denver's touchdown drives in the second half. Ramsey had a sweet 90- yard pass and catch with Brian Clark and a five- yard pass to Quincy Morgan. Ramsey ended the game 10-17 with 169 yards passing and two scores.

Denver failed to stop Tony Romo and the Dallas run game. Romo completed 11 of 18 for 122 yards and Marion Barber rushed for 57 yards on 11 rushes. Tyson Thompson also pitched in 75 yards on six carries. In total, Dallas out rushed Denver 190-35 and showed why they have one of the best running back tandems in the league. Julius Jones added a touchdown scamper as well-- Jones and Barber will be tough to stop again in 2007.

Pro Bowl and all- World defensive back Champ Bailey said, "There's no excuse for the way we played. If this was the last preseason game I'd be a little more concerned. We have time to make it up. We expect ourselves to get better. It can't get any worse than it did tonight."

The loss of Ekuban hurts Denver, one of the goals for 2007 was to get more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and without this leader and veteran Mike Shanahan will need someone to step into his shoes quickly. "It's a shame to lose Ebenezer for the year. He's been a real leader for us," said Shanahan.

From My Notepad

• Henry and Bell will be rested all week while Denver's trainers continue to evaluate both players. Henry's MRI came back negative on his knee and there is no serious damage.
• The loss of Ekuban is a crushing blow to the Broncos defense. Ekuban was a leader and one of the best Broncos at getting to the quarterback-- an area that drastically needs improving in 2007.
• Denver's run and pass blocking schemes were swallowed up by an aggressive, Dallas, blitzing defense.
• Denver only managed 35 rushing yards while Dallas ran wild for 190 yards --this is a scary stat for Shanahan and the Broncos.
• Jay Cutler was not as comfortable in the pocket as he was against the 49ers-- he was visibly confused by the numerous Dallas blitz packages. Cutler and the Broncos offense failed to convert on all five of their third downs in the first half.
• Denver has to improve on their third down conversions-- that's two games in a row now.
• Dre Bly and Bailey looked good together again-- Bly snatched his first interception of 2007 against Romo.
• Jarvis Moss had a nice sacked and looked to have regained his quick first step-- Moss's knee is still not 100 percent though