The Cowboys failed to convert third and long and decided to punt away despite being around a 70-yard attempt for Brandon Aubrey. That logic proved to reward them though as the defense held the Broncos closer to their own side of the field and forced a punt right back. It was the first three and out punt from Denver on the day (the first possession was three plays but ended in an interception).

Things felt rather stressful for the Cowboys and they responded in impressive fashion with that being the case. After taking over at their own 41-yard line following the punt they traveled the length of the field in 11 plays and ended with Javonte Williams punching one in against his former team.

SCORE: COWBOYS 10, BRONCOS 14 (Javonte Williams 1-yard touchdown)

It was at this point that everyone was hoping for another stop so the Cowboys offense could get back to work.

That would not happen. Denver moved down the field with extreme ease and RJ Harvey capped it off with his second touchdown, this one off of a direct snap.

SCORE: COWBOYS 10, BRONCOS 20 (RJ Harvey 1-yard touchdown)

After the touchdown Sam Williams was called for a personal foul and the Broncos elected to go for two. They didn’t get it, but that’s why they only picked up six points.

Unfortunately the Cowboys couldn’t go down the field and match. Dak Prescott scrambled for a 9-yard gain on the first play of the possession, Javonte Williams was stopped on second down, and Prescott was almost intercepted on third. It was frustrating to say the least.

The Broncos made the Cowboys pay once more. They marched down the field with very little resistance and ultimately cashed in for a big lead right before halftime.

SCORE: COWBOYS 10, BRONCOS 27 (Bo Nix to Pat Bryant 24-yard touchdown)

Dak Prescott threw an interception to end the first half. It was the cherry on top of an ugly two quarters.

The Broncos won the toss and wanted to start on offense. The Cowboys defense was up first.

It appeared early on as if Denver was well-reasoned in wanting the ball to start. Their first two plays went for solid gains and many were wondering what was up next.

Trikweze Bridges intercepted Bo Nix. That’s what was up next!

This was an incredible gift from Nix as it is difficult to understand what he was seeing, not to mention that it gave the Cowboys offense some great field position to start their first possession of the game.

After a big play from Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb the Cowboys quickly found themselves at the 1-yard line. There was a timeout as Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain needed tending to and on the first play after it the Cowboys false started which made third down tough. They wound up settling for a field goal which gave them points off of the turnover.

SCORE: COWBOYS 3, BRONCOS 0 (Brandon Aubrey 24-yard field goal)

Denver went back to work and certainly wanted to make up for their whoopsie right before. As they were in the middle of their possession the CBS broadcast reported that Surtain was questionable to return. Right as Tracy Wolfson finished that report the Broncos wre in the endzone as rookie RJ Harvey took a handoff 40 yards for Denver’s first points.

SCORE: COWBOYS 3, BRONCOS 7 (RJ Harvey 40-yard touchdown)

Surtain was back on the field for Denver on the next Cowboys possession, but also back were the pre-snap penalties as Dallas had a false start on second down. That hole proved to be too deep for Dallas to overcome as they punted shortly after.

That punt turned out to be costly. The Broncos made the Cowboys pay, although the Cowboys defense hardly made it difficult for them, and did so quickly.

SCORE: COWBOYS 3, BRONCOS 14 (Bo Nix to Troy Franklin 25-yard touchdown)

The quarter ended as Dallas was facing a 3rd and 20.