The Broncos go in to Jerry World as 10 point underdogs and stomp the Cowboys 30-16 and were up 30-0 at one point late in the 4th quarter. This is quite possibly the most resounding victory in the Vic Fangio era. The Broncos season went from thinking about 2022 to all of a sudden feeling like they can still do some damage in 2021. Here are my key take ways from this ball game:
1. 1-2 Punch Deadly
Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon combined for 191 yards and a TD against a top 5 run defense behind an O line full of backups as Lloyd Cushenberry was the only starter left after the game as Glascow and Risner went down with injuries hoping it is not serious. Javonte got his first 100 yard game as a pro recording 17 carries for 111 yards which is 6.5 ypc. He, once again, had one of his grown man runs and this time coming in the 3rd quarter breaking tackles and running for 38 yards. He is a bowling ball and will not be denied. Melvin Gordon was steady and provided an efficient 21 carries for 80 yards with the game's opening score as he ran in for a touchdown. They held the ball for 41 minutes meaning the Cowboys only played offense for 19 minutes. They looked like the team that went 3-0. The Broncos finally put together a complete offensive game plan being able to get good production from both backs against an elite team. Run total was at 38 attempts and pass total was 28 attempts which shows they did not put a lot of pressure on Teddy and as a result he played a much more efficient game and played his best all around game since probably week 3. The dynamic duo helped the Broncos eclipse 30 for the first time this season and hopefully this can provide a a formula for upcoming weeks when they start playing their divisional foes and with how the west is shaking up, they are all going to be huge games as each team has 5 wins.
2. Coaches(most of them) Showed Out!
Broncos fans can say many things about Vic but one things for damn sure, he has not lost the locker room just yet. The defense played out of their minds and put together their best performance of the season at most pivotal point of the season at 4-4 where a win or loss could go a long way. Fangio was not his usual nonchalant, stoic self as he showed a lot fire and intensity and I point to the second 4th down stop the Broncos made where he pumped his fist out of excitement. The players' attitude reflect the coach's attitude. If the coach is pumped up, the players will replicate that same fire and intensity on the field. I hope to see more of that the latter half of the season. Pat Shurmur called a great game and finally utilized his 2 amazing running backs. The offense had balance to it and kept the Cowboys defense guessing. Most importantly, they struck first and were able to play with a lead which enabled the offense to stick with the run and allowed the defense to be more aggressive and get after Dak as the Cowboys abandoned the run due to being dug in a hole early. Lastly, Tom Mcmahon needs to be fired. The special teams gave up a 50 yard return to open the game. The a punt got blocked which somehow worked in the broncos favor. The punt and kickoff return team once again gave the offense no help in field position. He needs to go!
3. Sweet Home Texas!
The Broncos for whatever reason play their best ball in Texas whether it be against the Cowboys ore Texans. Here are the last 4 scores the Broncos have put up in Texas: 51,37, 38,30. The Broncos have averaged 39 points in their last 4 outings in the state of Texas. Those games included the Manning Romo showdown where the Broncos won 51-48, Manning throwing his 51st TD against the Texans breaking Tom Brady's record of 50 TDs in a season beating them 37-13. The next time was Drew Lock sending the Texans home with 300 yards and 3TDs as he became the first ever rookie to put up such a stat line in his first road start. And finally, the Broncos beating the cowboys 30-16 in arguably their most important game of the season.
It was a great feeling to see the Broncos put up dominant performance rather than being dominated. They are over .500 for the first time through 9 weeks since week 2016 where they were 6-3 through 9 games.The Broncos have the eagles coming to town next week and a golden opportunity to go 6-4 going into the bye.
After every game I will start making a winners/losers list after each game:
Winners: Jerry Jeudy
Teddy Bridgewater
Tim Patrick
Javonte Williams
Melvin Gordon
Vic Fangio
Pat Shurmur
George Paton
Jonathan Cooper
O-line
Losers:
Brandon Mcmanus
Courtland Sutton
Tom Mcmahon
All of Special Teams basically
may be we play all our home games in Dallas!