Cowboys pose a quadruple threat for the Broncos

There is consensus in Dove Valley this week - the Dallas Cowboys are good.

Good quarterback.

“He’s so impressive to me. He looks like he’s been playing for 10 years. ...I think he’s in ultimate control of their offense. You see him on the ball a ton. He’s very accurate. He’s got good chemistry with those receivers. They’re always in sync. They just have a really good rhythm to their offense. That’s No. 4’s job.” - Trevor Siemian

Good running back.

“Get him on the ground - the great running backs like that they can take a little bit of daylight and go all the way with it. ...At any given time, you can be pitching a no-hitter and then boom, home run towards the end of the game. ...Any bit of daylight, he can take it the distance.” - Von Miller

Good offensive line.

“It’s probably the best offensive line in football. It’s going to be a challenge for us. They’re big. They’re athletic, and very, very smart.” - Vance Joseph

Good defense.

“Good defense, GOOD defense. Last year, they were really, really good against the run. ...They play hard and the effort is great. We definitely have to do our part this week. Especially along with what they have on the other side of the ball, too.” - C.J. Anderson

So basically, on paper, there’s no reason for the Cowboys to lose this Sunday afternoon.

Except games aren’t played on paper, and the Broncos have no intention of handing over a win - especially at Mile High.

“This is the best offensive line in football. It’s going to be a great challenge,” Joseph said Wednesday after practice. “It’s not a complicated offense to prepare for or defend, but they’re so good at what they do, so it will be challenging.”

Von Miller will, of course, be looking to get around that line just like every other one - though he knows this one may be tougher than most.

“If you look at that offensive line, it’s an all-star offensive line,” Miller said, noting the three First Team All-Pros - left tackle Tyron Smith, guard Zack Martin and center Travis Frederick, not to mention “draft steal” second-year tackle La’el Collins.

But once Miller and his counterpart Shaquil Barrett do get around that line, there’s that wily QB to contend with - Dak Prescott.

“You’ll definitely be on your toes because he’s athletic,” Miller said, noting Prescott can easily roll out and pass. “Whenever you’re against an athletic quarterback like that, you have to be on your toes; he’s a dual threat out there, especially on the outside. I’ve just seen him roll out, the defensive end may have the angle on him, and he outruns them and hooks the ball for 15-20 yards.”

It’s safe to assume the Cowboys will double- and triple-team Miller just like the rest of the world, but if there’s a chance Miller gets a one-on-one matchup from the Cowboys, he’ll definitely take advantage of that.

“To block Von one-on-one on thirds downs, on passing downs wouldn’t be smart for anyone,” Joseph noted. “I’m not sure. I hope they block him one-on-one. That would be good for us.”

Yes, yes it would.

And so would a solid offensive scheme to combat that explosive Cowboys attack.

“We want to establish a run and impose our will against teams,” Anderson said Wednesday when talking about the running game against the Chargers. “You get some a little early - two, three, four and pop a couple thick ones like eights and nines. We have to step up with more [broken] tackles. We have to be a little more solid coming off.”

Siemian added that “it might get tough” on Sunday.

“They stop the run really well, so quarterbacks and receivers have to be on the same page and do their job,” said Siemian, who was among the better performing quarterbacks in the NFL last weekend stats-wise. “Really well coached, and they do a good job of holding their looks. They have good players, really smart players across the board.”

After a late Monday night game followed by a tough Sunday afternoon matchup on a short week, Joseph is building in a rest day Friday and a light practice Saturday to help match the juice of the Cowboys.

“The recovery is going to be huge this week,” the head coach said. “This team, the Cowboys, play with great energy. We have to match that. To match that, you have to be fresh.”