What's our baseline for Dallas?

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 28, 2009 11:54 PM MDT

As always, this is just my opinion.

Much has been made of our defense by the Broncos faithful. Much has been ignored of our defense by John Clayton, et. al. We have, after all, played a cupcake schedule -- allegedly. Rather than attempt to extrapolate through my orange-and-blue-colored glasses, I will look at our opponents from Weeks 1-3 and compare their results against us to their other two games. This will give us a baseline sample (albeit a small one) that will control for the quality -- or lack thereof -- we have played so far

And then we can look forward to Dallas. On defense, at least, and assuming that current trends hold. There's a lot of stats, so bear with me here. If you want, you can just skip to the end and read the conclusions.

Week 1 Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

Their Week 2 Opponent: Green Bay Packers

Results of Week 2:

Benson -- 141 yards, 4.8 yards per carry
Palmer -- 185 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 93.3 QB rating
Overall running -- 151 net yards, 4.4 yards gained per play
Overall offense -- 319 net yards, 5.4 yards gained per play, 31 points

Their Week 3 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

Results of Week 3:

Benson -- 76 yards, 4.75 yards per carry
Palmer -- 183 yards, 1 TD, 76.7 QB rating
Overall running -- 100 net yards, 5.3 yards gained per play
Overall offense -- 273 net yards, 4.7 yards gained per play, 23 points

Week 2 Opponent: Cleveland Browns

Their Week 1 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings

Results of Week 1:

Lewis -- 58 yards, 5.18 yards per carry
Quinn -- 205 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 74.1 QB rating
Overall running -- 89 net yards, 4.4 yards gained per play
Overall offense -- 268 total net yards, 4.5 yards gained per play, 20 points

Their Week 3 Opponent: Baltimore Ravens

Results of Week 3:

Harrison -- 52 yards, 4.3 yards per carry
Quinn/Anderson -- 126 yards, 0 TDs, 4 INTs, 42.7 QB rating (Quinn)/30.9 QB rating (Anderson)
Overall running -- 71 net yards, 3.1 yards gained per play
Overall offense -- 186 total net yards, 3.6 yards gained per play, 3 points

Week 3 Opponent: Oakland Raiders

Their Week 1 Opponent: San Diego

Results of Week 1:

McFadden -- 68 yards, 4.0 yards per carry
Bush -- 55 yards, 4.58 yards per carry
Russell -- 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 47.6 QB rating
Overall running -- 148 net yards, 4.6 yards gained per play
Overall offense -- 366 total net yards, 5.6 yards gained per play, 20 points

Their Week 2 Opponent: Kansas City

Results of Week 2 :

McFadden -- 35 yards, 2.9 yards per carry
Bush -- 35 yards, 3.8 yards per carry
Russell -- 109 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 46.0 QB rating
Overall running -- 67 net yards , 2.7 yards gained per play
Overall offense -- 166 total net yards, 3.3 yards gained per play, 13 points

And what happened vs. the Broncos?

Bengals

Benson - 76 yards, 3.6 yards per carry
Palmer - 247 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs, 61.0 QB rating
Overall running - 86 net yards, 3.2 yards gained per play
Overall offense - 307 net yards, 4.9 yards gained per play, 7 points

Browns

Lewis - 38 yards, 2.7 yards per carry
Quinn - 161 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 58.7 QB rating
Overall running - 54 net yards, 2.6 yards gained per play
Overall offense - 200 net yards, 3.6 yards gained per play, 6 points

Raiders

McFadden - 45 yards, 3.75 yards per carry
Bush - 20 yards, 3.3 yards per carry
Russell - 61 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs, 22.6 QB rating
Overall running - 95 net yards, 4.1 yards gained per play
Overall offense - 137 net yards, 2.9 yards gained per play, 3 points

So what does this tell us about our first three weeks?

When opposing running backs face us, they average 32.5% fewer yards gained than when they face other opponents
When opposing running backs face us, they average 0.95 yards per carry fewer than when they face other opponents
Opposing running games gain 25.3% fewer yards on average against us compared to other opponents
Opposing running games gain 0.78 fewer yards per play on average against us compared to other opponents
When opposing quarterbacks face us, they average 11.6% fewer yards gained than when they face other opponents
When opposing quarterbacks face us, they average 1 fewer TD, are equal on INTs, and have a quarterback rating that is 20.7% lower than vs. other opponents
Opposing offenses gain 19% fewer yards on average against us compared to other opponents
Opposing offenses gain 0.87 fewer yards per play against us compared to other opponents
Opposing offenses gain 68% fewer points on average against us compared to other opponents

So how has Dallas done, on average, during its first 3 weeks?

Barber/Jones/Choice -- 126 yards per game, 6.4 yards per carry
Romo -- 245 yards, 1.3 TDs, 1 INT, 80 QB rating
Overall running -- 193.67 yards, 6.7 yards per play
Overall offense -- 429.67 yards, 7.4 yards per play, 28.7 points

Finally, taking into account the Broncos relative success against their previous 3 opponents, what can we expect for the Dallas game?

Barber/Jones/Choice -- 85 yards, 5.45 yards per carry
Romo -- 216 yards, 0.3 TDs, 1 INT, 63.4 QB rating
Overall running -- 144 yards, 5.9 yards per play
Overall offense -- 348 yards, 6.53 yards per play, 9 points

What I see from this is a solid effort, but no more domination of the opposition. The outlook is actually potentially better, since Dallas has a formidable running attack but has two runners injured. I feel very confident that we can hold Romo in check; the key will be stopping the run.

Now, the real question will be: if the Broncos hold the Cowboys to anything less than what is listed here, will the MSM finally acknowledge our defensive ability? Or will our success be written off as "underachieving" on the part of our opponent?

But as always, this is just my opinion.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

I have three co-workers who are Dallas fans

They called me tonight after the Dallas game to tell me that their team sees Sunday as a “break”. No respect whatsoever.

One friend told me he was watching the local news and the sports guy was calling Sunday a time to let the hurt heal up because it was a pretty easy win coming up. My friend said the sports guy called Doom a Volkwagon who was about to meet a Mack Truck in Flozell (tripper) Adams.

After listening to all their doo-doo, poo-poo and such I replied simple and easy.

Will you guys wear Broncos stuff to work after we win?

Make those miracles happen - Jon Keyworth

by IgorBStrange on Sep 29, 2009 1:04 AM MDT reply actions

I am now at the point where I welcome that attitude

That means less gameplanning, which means a much more likely win for us. I’ll just smile before, and afterwards smile REALLY big.

"3rd and 6, Elway shotgun... Elway, scrambling, looking, running-- DIVING!!!-- inside the 5 yard line for a first down! Is he only 37?! How important is this football game? How bad does John Elway want to win this football game? Where you see the quarterbacks go down: Not Elway!"

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Great write up

could you do something similar with our offense and opposing defenses? I would be greatly interested to know how that works since Dallas is one of the worst defensive teams in the league right now….

"FLAG! Fail on the field. Re-do." -Disco_Stu

by Joe Medina on Sep 29, 2009 1:19 AM MDT reply actions

I would be very interested in that as well.

We’ll see if time permits me. Thursday looks like the only day I have available for something of that magnitude. If it’s not up by late Thursday night, consider it abandoned.

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:31 PM MDT up reply actions

"underachieving" on the part of our opponent..

Excellent work…I personally love the effort put in by those of us who work the numbers.The MSM will stay true to form and slam us due to the fact that Dallas is in a funk, because all the players are worried about their pay checks, because they think that the owner spent too much on the new stadium!

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Sep 29, 2009 3:55 AM MDT reply actions

Yep

I’m really hoping that Barber is healthy enough to play (and we still win, of course). That will take a lot of the wind out of the sails of the pundits who might write us off because the Dallas run game was “crippled” or something like that.

Of course, IMO with the man-love they’ve been giving Romo so far this season, they’ll be hard-pressed to back down on that point if we win.

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice work...You can only get here at MHR folks...Thanks

by BroncoSense72 on Sep 29, 2009 6:01 AM MDT reply actions

and to you!

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:34 PM MDT up reply actions

I really enjoy when you analyze the numbers like you do. Can’t argue with it!

by MileHighFlyr on Sep 29, 2009 6:20 AM MDT reply actions

Well, you can...

That’s something I’ve learned since my last post (a month ago — self-imposed silence since): stop trying to convince people. They’ll see what they want to see. In the meantime, I’ll see what I can see and try to filter around what I want to see.

In deference to the Dude, just abidin’! :)

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:36 PM MDT up reply actions

You know what I love?

I love the fact that, with no disrespect to the previous coaching staff, I feel like this year with these players and this staff of coaches and teachers we go into every single game with a chance to win.

Especially at home.

I actually think we’re gonna win this game.

Great job, thanks Sharpie. Congrats on the Ring of Fame, btw.

Blues. Cardinals. Broncos. Rockies (when not playing St. Louis!).
Univ. of Denver Hockey. Also Outlaws (MLL) and Mammoth (NLL).

by HockeyHippie on Sep 29, 2009 7:15 AM MDT reply actions

Exactly

I thnk all of us are enjoying the feeling that we can compete with anyone, AND will see a good effor and game-plan, week in and week out.

by idahobronc on Sep 29, 2009 10:07 AM MDT up reply actions

Man, wasn't that parachute sweet?!

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:36 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice Work

Thanks for the stats. I noticed that the fumbles are not on there, and I’m not sure how you would add that in as a stat. Just thinking that its a thought to be remembered. And with 2 injured running backs, I think their running game will not produce as good as it has. I’m looking forward to this game, its gonna be a good one!

There is no charge for awesomeness, or attractiveness!!

by Bronctillidie on Sep 29, 2009 7:25 AM MDT reply actions

Fumbles...

I had TDs, fumbles, yards per completion, and a few others in there initially.

And then I got sick of it. :)

Honestly, I just don’t have the time and I was running out of the energy. But a similar comparison with our O would not go amiss, however.

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 1:13 PM MDT up reply actions

It will always be underachieving by our opponents

That will be the case all year long. When we are in the AFC championship game they will be saying that we got where we are because our opponents underachieved each week. They can’t admit they were wrong so they will continue to find ways around admitting they were wrong.

by papasteven on Sep 29, 2009 8:02 AM MDT reply actions

If I had to pick one thing that typifies the MSM, it would be that:

There is always an out for them. No other job is so like that of a politician: you get to shape public opinion, you work only select months out of the year, and your job is predicated on your ability to double-speak and rely on the short attention spans (and memories) of your consumers.

And the chatter after Dallas will vis a vis be very instructional

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:39 PM MDT up reply actions

Great read, great stats, thanks for the work!

My guess is that a win here will be our coming out party. ESPN can’t continue to ignore a 4-0 Bronco team that just beat Dallas. I’m not saying we’ll become the media darling overnight, but it will be a beginning. Of course, we need the win first, though.

by Alex on Sep 29, 2009 9:00 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

for the last sentence. I tend to forget that… :)

But still, I’m not holding out high hopes even for recognition. Dallas is struggling, and it would be just like the MSM to do what they’ve done with the Bengals: ignore what that offense has that is positive, and focus on the negative in order to discredit our accomplishments.

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice use of stats for analysis

I’ve been predicting a win to my Coyboy-fan friends. They think I’m just a homer. Well, homer is as homer does, I always say.

by idahobronc on Sep 29, 2009 10:09 AM MDT reply actions

and rec'd!

by idahobronc on Sep 29, 2009 10:09 AM MDT up reply actions

Dallas' run game

which works well with the play action and Romo’s mobility, looked formidable. The Broncos’ defense will have to maintain gap responsibility and not bite on the play action, because the Cowboys deploy the draw and delay and the counter runs very well.

And as we did with McFadden, we’ll need to secure the edges, particularly with Jones in the backfield.

Maybe others can chime in, but it looks to me like we can defeat the Dallas offensive attack by bringing a consistent run blitzes that, when necessary, continue on to the QB.

I think our corners can handle the Dallas receivers man to man, so special attention should be paid to keeping Witten short and underneath.

by JeffG on Sep 29, 2009 10:41 AM MDT reply actions

I wouldn't mind seeing Dawkins...

shadowing Witten for a bit. Maybe lay him out and get in his head.

by T.Dot_Bronco on Sep 29, 2009 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions

Treat Witten like we did with Miller

Romo uses Witten as a security blanket even more than Russell does with Zach Miller. I’ve had Romo in fantasy for 2 years now, and he is very beatable. He actually reminds me a lot of Cutler. If you take Witten away, he will force the ball all day long.

Barber will play because he’s a monster and was so upset he couldn’t play last night that he couldn’t even sit on the sidelines. Felix Jones’ injury sounds pretty bad, and Tashard Choice is a legit backup. The key to this game is getting pressure on Romo, because they will be forced to keep Witten in to protect with Flozell Adams banged up and then the double team on Witten puts an extra man in the box to stop the run.

We’ve got to tackle well at the second and third levels.

We need this game. It’s at home, and we have a long ways to go. Dallas is certainly a beatable team, and we don’t have to be perfect, we just have to be very good with our fundamentals (containment, tackling, penalties), which we’ve done all year.

by legendarywalton on Sep 29, 2009 12:25 PM MDT up reply actions

That's a great point!

Also, I have a lot more faith in this years version of the secondary in terms of run support. Jones (maybe) and Choice will break off a couple of decent runs (<20 yds), but Champ, Dawk and Co. will be sure to keep them to a minimum.

If we can take away the run game early (along with the threat of play-action), Garrett and Romo will get impatient and start forcing the pass. Should that happen, this defense will take over the game. As for Witten, I agree that I’d much rather see him stay in for pass protection than out running routes.

More that anything else though, I feel like the offense is going to really shoulder the load this game. We’ve seen incremental improvement over the last three games, and I feel like this one is where the red zone problems start to resolve themselves. If KO and crew can get some long drives for points going early, it keeps Romo and the offense off the field and keeps the Denver defense fresh.

One more thing: Look for the crowd to make life tough on Romo and the Dallas offense.

DP Message Board Refugee & Drinker of Kool-Aid

I don’t like quarterbacks. - DOOM

by jubei on Sep 29, 2009 2:40 PM MDT up reply actions

... Yet another thing that I've been contemplating...

One aspect of the acquisition of Brian Dawkins that may have been overlooked is the fact that he has an intimate knowledge of the NFC East after playing in Philly for so many years. If it were any other player, I wouldn’t put much stock in this, but Dawkins is pretty much a player and a coach, and I have to think that it has to help McD and Nolan to have a guy like him when we play the “toughest division in football” this year.

DP Message Board Refugee & Drinker of Kool-Aid

I don’t like quarterbacks. - DOOM

by jubei on Sep 29, 2009 2:58 PM MDT up reply actions

good point jubei

hadn’t thought of that one either

by papasteven on Sep 29, 2009 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Jones is out.

But Barber will be back. That will be the excuse. Our RBs were injured.

"Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey

by db8632 on Sep 29, 2009 5:28 PM MDT up reply actions

No excuses.

Just like last week, Dallas showed they are more than capable of running the ball with just two of their three headed monster at running back.

Eric Berry for Heisman!

by Volorado on Sep 29, 2009 7:25 PM MDT up reply actions

Formidable is right

But then again, ours is fast growing in that direction. Without Jones in the backfield, I’m thinking we can focus more on the interior, and let our superb secondary handle the edges.

And pressure, pressure, pressure. It is impossible to overstate the importance of this. When under pressure, Romo is extremely pedestrian.

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Coaching matchup....

For those of us that have watched McD and the Broncos closely for the last couple months can any of us honestly say we will be outcoached in this game?

McD and Nolan vs. Phillips and Garret

Please it’s a wash. I’ll take our guys 100 out of 100 times.

by T.Dot_Bronco on Sep 29, 2009 10:43 AM MDT reply actions

Honestly,

The Cowboys personnel is a little bit better, but the coaches and scheming make the difference. Phillips and Garrett are bad at game planning. Phillips takes away the opponents best attack, but opens up the other option to thrive (see Eli Manning week 2) and despite a great running game, Romo still throws at least 30 times a game. Thanks Jason Garrett!

McD and Nolan know what their doing, and that’s what concerns me.

Eric Berry for Heisman!

by Volorado on Sep 29, 2009 11:26 AM MDT up reply actions

Agreed....

Dallas has a lot of talent all over the field and at times I don’t see their gameplan utilizing thier talent. McD and Nolan have a keen ability to utilize their players to their strengths and also have displayed the ability to isolate opponents weaknesses and attack accordingly. It should be an interesting matchup to say the least

by T.Dot_Bronco on Sep 29, 2009 12:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Talent

Dallas has some really great starting talent but then it really drops off. If this game becomes a physical tiring game I think Denver’s depth is superior and grinds them down.

When you can do the common things in life in a uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
- George Washington Carver

by Kfustud on Sep 29, 2009 3:50 PM MDT up reply actions

That has been our MO so far

We hold with teams for the first half (perhaps: they hold with us?), then we blow it open in the third quarter with superior conditioning and depth.

Here’s to that outcome!

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:44 PM MDT up reply actions

They threw two fade passes on the 1 yard line after racking up 200 yards rushing.

I don’t see that happening again… But that just speaks to the arrogance of the “Offensive Minds”. If there’s one thing we can agree with, McDaniel’s takes what’s given, and doesn’t try to make it any more complex than it needs to be. Garrett gets overwhelmed by his shiny gadgets and can’t develop a consistent philosophy.

by legendarywalton on Sep 29, 2009 12:27 PM MDT up reply actions

He takes what's given...

I couldn’t have put it any better…and I think he may have said that before. I also have the feeling that McD hasn’t shown us anything yet. I think he’s withheld a lot of what he wants to do so far. I don’t believe he’s shown his full hand yet, and as the weeks progress we’ll see more and more.

by T.Dot_Bronco on Sep 29, 2009 1:02 PM MDT up reply actions

+1

I made that point on another post. I think both Mcd and Nolan have been keeping it a little vanilla wiating for the tougher part of the schedule. They had a feeling that the Browns and raiders would be bad and they didn’t need to do a whole lot extra to get wins. Might be why we struggled a bit against Cinnci.

by papasteven on Sep 29, 2009 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions

Not to be the "phrase police" here...

…but the phrase “it’s a wash” means an act of cancellation.

This is what I got from some online dictionary off of a Bing search:

There is a common American phrase of, ’it’s a wash ‘. This means the process of coming to be on equal footing with another party. If person A gives person B one dollar at the same time that person B gives person A a dollar, ’it’s a wash’.

So to say choosing McD vs Phillips is a wash is to say they’re equal which we know that’s not what you meant.

I would go with the phrase “There’s no competition”…because that’s TRUE!

by SinDonor on Sep 29, 2009 1:57 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Totally agree

But ironically Bowlen hired Phillips back in the day and interviewed Garret this summer.

by AKfan on Sep 29, 2009 5:03 PM MDT up reply actions

Excellent Post

Sharpe, nice work and logically solid piece. Statistics don’t tell the whole story, of course, and you recognize it. I appreciate the combination of objectivity and subjectivity!

by Endzone on Sep 29, 2009 10:59 AM MDT reply actions

Nice write-up

As a Cowboys fan, in Colorado no less, I am very concerned (and also very excited) about this weekend. I thought Denver would struggle, even against bad teams, but McD and Mike Nolan and the new roster has impressed me and proved me wrong. Denver has been real tough on both sides of the ball, just grinding out yards and playing smart football and not killing themselves. Cincy is a really good team and holding them to 7 points is no small feat. Yeah, Cleveland and Oakland are terrible, but Denver pounded them like a good team should.

The opposite can be said of my Cowboys. They lost to the only good team ontheir schedule so far, and took a while to put away the bad teams. They look as though they have no scheme and just rely on their talent to beat teams, and that doesn’t work.

I do, however, think Dallas will run on Denver. Barber was healthy enugh to play last night and was upset at the coaching staff for not letting him dress for precautionary reasons, Choice is a solid all around back, and hopefully Felix’s knee is okay, because he is flat out explosive. Romo just needs to take care of the ball like he did against Carolina (sans the throw it back across the field “Favre-esque” play). The defense needs to keep the safties back to help in coverage on Marshall and Royal and they need to make tackles on Stokely and Gaffney and Scheffler and limit the yards after catch, because the front 7 is taking care of business on the ground. Stopping the Giants run game and the Panthers rushing attack is no small feat.

Should be a good game and I look forward to a friendly and knowledgble dialogue between the Cowboy and Bronco fans this week! I have enjoyed reading MHR these past couple of seasons and espcially this past offseason.

Eric Berry for Heisman!

by Volorado on Sep 29, 2009 11:22 AM MDT reply actions

Word on that Sig...

Come on Bears! Deliver me some sweeeeeet Eric Berry.

by legendarywalton on Sep 29, 2009 12:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice objective post

I lived in Amarillo for a few young years and developed a loathing for all things Texas as a result, but your thoughtful and open instigation of dialogue cannot be given anything less than deserved:

Thanks, we look forward to a friendly and knowledgeable discussion too.

A semi-sincere word of advice: don’t piss off Ryan Clady – really. I recommend that Igor and DeMarcus introduce themselves and shake hands with him. There was a gleam in Clady’s eye after Richard Seymour of the raiders pulled an unsportsmanlike sunday….scary.

"Life is a daring adventure or nothing" - Helen Keller
"He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little" Horace

by PositivIntegral on Sep 29, 2009 5:04 PM MDT up reply actions

That's Seymour.

He still has Patriot punk blood in him. Igor has had some problems with Denver linemen in the past, but there is no need to worry about DeMarcus. He is honestly the the most mild-mannered, soft spoken person I’ve ever seen, he’s just a beast with size and speed and technique. Should be a great matchup between Clady and Ware. Denver needs to watch for rookie Victor Butler on the other side. He plays later in each of the two halves when players are worn down and his speed is tough to block. He had two sacks and a forced fumble against Carolina last week.

Eric Berry for Heisman!

by Volorado on Sep 29, 2009 5:21 PM MDT up reply actions

Touche

Nice having good rookies to look forward to. Our Robert Ayers is “this close” to getting his football legs under him, but does not have a strong stat sheet yet:

Let’s see whether Butler or Ayers looks better by Sunday evening.

"Life is a daring adventure or nothing" - Helen Keller
"He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little" Horace

by PositivIntegral on Sep 29, 2009 5:53 PM MDT up reply actions

As a Volunteers fan

I know what Ayers is capable of. One of these games he is going to break out, I just hope it’s not against Dallas.

Eric Berry for Heisman!

by Volorado on Sep 29, 2009 7:23 PM MDT up reply actions

Great post Sharpe and rec'd

by bfree2bronc on Sep 29, 2009 2:57 PM MDT reply actions

I like that Denver is a "fraud" because of the teams they've beaten...

… yet, Dallas (by many on in the media and their fans) think this is an easy win.

I live in Dallas, so I’m very familiar with this team. Everyone likes to say that Denver was lucky in the win at Cincy and they beat two “nothing teams” in CLE and OAK.

Ok, but what about Dallas?

They lost to a good Giants team and they beat two teams (Tampa and Carolina) that combine for 0-6 so far this season.

Dallas BLEW UP the Bucs…

Dallas gave up over 400 yds and 33 points in the loss to the Giants. Romo was horrible with 3 INTs and not even 130 passing yards. Barber and Jones combined for over 250 yards and 2 TDs. Oh – Barber and Jones aren’t playing in week 4.

In week 3, the Cowboys beat a bad panthers team with 200 yds rushing and 13 points from that offense (remember they got 8 on the INT return and PAT).

Yes, Dallas has a tough defense and they’ll give Denver fits… but, who exactly have the Cowboys defeated that makes them so great? This isn’t a playoff team from 2008. This isn’t a team that is blowing up the opposing team through 3 games.

They crushed the Bucs and put up 13 points of offense on the Panthers.

Big deal.

Denver needs to keep it simple… stick to their plan. Let the defense get ALL over Romo, that OLINE loves the false start… Choice is a nice RB, but he’s not an every down guy.

Witten is a beast and their WRs are “ok”, but not any better than what Denver has right now.

Bring it on.

______
Mile High Mania

by Mile High Mania on Sep 29, 2009 5:45 PM MDT reply actions

I would challenge the "Dallas has a tough defense" statement

yards per game is 27th in the NFL vs. the pass and 17th vs. the run. Right now, they are one of those teams that skates by on past reputation rather than current accomplishment.

by Sharpe as a Tack on Sep 29, 2009 8:51 PM MDT up reply actions

edit on Barber...

I said he was out this week in my post … it’s obviously not official, but it’s not looking good (could be a ploy), but the sports media locally is concerned.

______
Mile High Mania

by Mile High Mania on Sep 29, 2009 5:48 PM MDT reply actions