clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Broncos 2017 opponent preview Week 2: Dallas Cowboys

Can the Denver Broncos contain the Dallas Cowboys offense to secure a win in Week 2?

NFL: Pro Bowl Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 2 of the 2017 regular season schedule for the Denver Broncos, they host the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are coming off an incredible 13-3 season with a rookie quarterback in Dak Prescott. A season where they ripped off 11 straight wins at one point.

Although they lost their first playoff game, the season was quite reminiscent of the Broncos 2012 season. Their defense is what held them back and that unit was a big priority this offseason.

Being a home game, this is a matchup the Broncos really do need to win. However, it being a non-conference game makes it less relevant than most of their other games in 2017.

All-time series: Broncos lead 7-5

Cowboys free agency

Key additions: Stephen Paea, Damontre Moore, Nolan Carroll,
Key losses: Brandon Carr, Barry Church, Morris Claiborne, Jack Crawford, Ronald Leary, Terrell McClain, and others

The Cowboys faced a brutal free agent onslaught in 2017 with 18 players heading into unrestricted free agency. They did keep their offensive line mostly in tact, losing only Ronald Leary to the Broncos, who was mostly a rotational player for them.

You would think the loss of over nine veterans from their 2016 roster will hurt, but if their offensive line remains healthy they could still be a very dangerous football team.

Cowboy 2017 draft class

Most pundits felt the Cowboys really drafted well, going so far as saying they’ve rebuilt their defense in one draft class. That may be true; in 2018 or 2019. For 2017, their defense will likely disappoint as rookies rarely come in and play at a consistently elite level.

Having lost so many veterans on defense in free agency, they will likely be forced to play their rookie draft class a lot and that is going to lead to mistakes and points given up.

Cowboys draft picks

Rnd Player Pos. College
Rnd Player Pos. College
1 Taco Charlton DE Michigan
2 Chidobe Awuzie CB Colorado
3 Jourdan Lewis CB Michigan
4 Ryan Switzer WR North Carolina
6 Xavier Woods S Louisiana Tech
6 Marquez White CB Florida State
7 Joey Ivie DT Florida
7 Noah Brown WR Ohio State
7 Jordan Carrell DE Colorado

Way too early predictions

Week 2: Cowboys 23, Broncos 21

The question of this game comes down to how confident I am that the Broncos have fixed their interior run defense. The answer, in May, is yes. The caveat, in May, is that in years’ past the run defense took several weeks to start coming together.

Being this game is in Week 2, that leaves me to the conclusion that Ezekiel Elliott will have a solid game and the Cowboys will put up just enough points to put some serious pressure on whatever quarterback starts for the Broncos.

The result is a close game that the Cowboys come out on top in snapping a five-game losing streak to the Broncos stretching all the way back to 1998.

Broncos 2017 predictions

Wk Date Opponent Time (MT) Predictions
Wk Date Opponent Time (MT) Predictions
1 Sep 11 vs. Los Angeles Chargers (MNF) 8:20 PM Broncos 24-10
2 Sep 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys 2:25 PM Cowboys 23-21
3 Sep 24 at Buffalo Bills 11:00 AM Broncos 27-10
4 Oct 1 vs. Oakland Raiders 2:25 PM Broncos 28-17
5 BYE
6 Oct 15 vs. New York Giants (SNF) 6:30 PM Broncos 23-16
7 Oct 22 at Los Angeles Chargers 2:25 PM Broncos 20-17
8 Oct 30 at Kansas City Cheifs (MNF) 6:30 PM
9 Nov 5 at Philadelphia Eagles 11:00 AM
10 Nov 12 vs. New England Patriots (SNF) 6:25 PM
11 Nov 19 vs. Cincinnati Bengals 2:25 PM
12 Nov 26 at Oakland Raiders 2:25 PM Raiders 27-20
13 Dec 3 at Miami Dolphins 11:00 AM
14 Dec 10 vs. New York Jets 2:00 PM
15 Dec 14 at Indianapolis Colts (TNF) 6:25 PM
16 Dec 24 at Washington Redskins 11:00 AM
17 Dec 31 vs. Kansas City Chiefs 2:25 PM