Cowboys’ imminent Broncos matchup should make fans nervous for reason they are all too familiar with

Here’s the thing about the Dallas Cowboys’ imminent matchup versus the Denver Broncos. Despite Broncos QB Bo Nix’s play still being questionable, that’s a darn good football team. The offensive line allows the lowest pressure rate across the NFL and Nix has weapons to work with, starting with WR Courtland Sutton.

On the other side of the ball, they boast the top-ranked defense in the NFL per EPA/play. They have one of the league’s best corners in Pat Surtain, who benefits from the best sack production in the league. And it’s not even close.

This matchup should make you nervous. But I’m not necessarily talking about being nervous by the player-to-player matchups. After all, the Cowboys have the players to even the field; Dak Prescott avoids sacks as well as anybody in the NFL, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb will pose a problem to Denver’s cornerbacks, and they’ve got an efficient and explosive run game to lean on. Then what is it?

This scenario feels all too familiar for the Cowboys

What I’m instead nervous about is: Is this Cowboys team going to show up locked in and ready to go? I can’t tell you why but this feels like the classic let-down spot for Dallas and I want them to avoid it real bad. A road game following a big divisional win against a physical team. Perhaps it’s the painful memories of past Broncos games—like the no-show in 2017 when the Cowboys had no answers to Vance Joseph's defense (yes, the same one they're facing this week) nor... checks notes... Trevor Siemian amid a 42-17 rout. In 2021, it was Teddy Bridgewater and Vic Fangio ending Dallas' six-game win streak on a 30-16 loss.

Just like this one, those were supposed to be winnable games for Dallas.

I’m worried about Broncos head Sean Payton’s and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s experience outmatching the Cowboys’ staff. This feels like the kind of game where the Cowboys have to show you the hype surrounding them is real—the offense being elite, them potentially being buyers at the deadline, head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s strong start. They need to show they can take the field against a quality opponent and come out with a killer instinct. In the words of Succession’s Logan Roy, “you have to be a killer.” The Cowboys have a chance to prove they can be that in Denver.

And though I’m nervous, I have confidence in Schottenheimer getting it done. He has mostly passed his tests so far. The offense has delivered on his promises on pre-snap motion, play-action, and a revamped run game preaching physicality. This team has showed up against top contenders like the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. It has presented good game plans and made great play calls in high-leverage moments. Heck, AT&T Stadium’s infamous sun glare wasn’t much of an issue when the Cowboys dropped 44 points on the Washington Commanders. Even the defensive struggles—which persist because of many problems, starting with personnel and Eberflus’ scheme—looked much better when the team shifted its approach last weekend by playing more zone and blitzing more often.

A win would not only give the Cowboys their first winning record of the 2025 season, it would go a long way into buying into their playoff chances. And considering they’re road underdogs for this one, it would be a statement heard across the NFL.

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