Broncos at Cowboys second quarter recap

The Denver Broncos opened up the second quarter with the ball after a Dallas Cowboys punt. Teddy Bridgewater found Albert Okwuegbunam on first down for an eight yard gain, then Javonte Williams burst through a wide open hole for a 17-yard gain out to the 45-yard line.

After an incompletion, Williams was stuffed at the line. On third and a long 10, Bridgewater throws one of his best passes of the year dropping a dime into the bucket for Tim Patrick for a first down and an 11 yard gain.

Then on the very next play Bridgewater went deep to Patrick again who created just enough separation for the big time 44-yard touchdown to take a two score lead over the Cowboys.

Broncos 13, Cowboys 0.

The Cowboys, again, found themselves in a third down situation two plays into their next offensive drive. On third and seven, Dak Prescott overthrew CeeDee Lamb who was open for a touchdown. Instead, it was another punt for the Cowboys who was 1/5 on third downs and 0/2 on fourth downs to start the game.

On the Broncos next possession, they stumbled out of the gates with a holding call. Melvin Gordon was able to make it a third and eight after a 12 yard run. Bridgewater went back to that Tim Patrick well for a huge first down on a 19-yard catch and run to overcome that early penalty.

An incredible catch by Melvin Gordon on a poor throw from Bridgewater netted seven yards, then Gordon followed up with a short two yard gain on second down. On third and 1, Gordon was able to convert on an outside pitch to get Denver across midfield.

He would follow it up with another big run on first down for 11 yards and another first down. The drive stalled two plays later when Micah Parsons came up with the sack on Bridgewater. It was third and two, so a run there might have made more sense.

Brandon McManus came through with the big field goal from 53-yards out to extend the Broncos first half lead with just under four minutes to go.

Broncos 16, Cowboys 0.

The Cowboys got a big play from Zeke Elliot for a 21-yard catch and run, but Jonathan Cooper finally got there two plays later for a sack on Dak Prescott to force a third and 22 at the two minute warning.

Prescott would run around for a hundred years and then chucks it all the way down the field for an incompletion.

In the two minute offense, Bridgewater made a nice pass to Courtland Sutton who made an equally nice reception in traffic for a quick 10 yards. The run the clock a bit, but after a big catch by Albert O out to the 40-yard line they called their first timeout with 27 second left.

They wouldn’t quite get there as Vic Fangio elected to throw a hail mary rather than give Brandon McManus a 67-yard field goal attempt.