Cowboys Play the Broncos in a Must-Win Showdown in Week Eight
This Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys are traveling to Colorado to take on the Denver Broncos. Dak Prescott looks to go into week eight and get his second straight win for the first time this season. Dallas has yet to go on a winning streak this season and hopes this game will be the start of one. In contrast, Denver hopes to build on their momentum after a gut-wrenching comeback win over the Giants. Both teams need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The weather on Sunday is expected to be beautiful, with a high of 71°F, a low of 47°F, and winds around five miles per hour. Dallas has been in shootouts this whole season, and with the weather favoring the passing game, it looks like they are in for another high-scoring affair. Although the Broncos' defense has been strong this season, their biggest test will be containing the Cowboys' explosive offense that has scored an average of 31.29 points per game. If the Broncos' defense plays like it did last week against the Giants, there’s no reason the Cowboys can’t score in the high twenties.
This past week, the Cowboys activated cornerback Caelen Carson and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo off the injury reserve. With Carson and Mingo looking like they are more than likely going to play, the Cowboys will finally have playmakers on both sides of the ball. Carson, the six-foot 195-pound corner, hasn't played this season. He looks to make his 2025 NFL debut this week and jump into a depleted Cowboys secondary. Mingo's presence gives Prescott another playmaker on offense. Despite the Cowboys already having two top ten wide receivers in the NFL, Mingo’s return to this offense will offer more speed and size, which doesn’t just add strength, but speed.
Dak Prescott and Dallas hope to go 4-3-1 after this week. Even though they are number one in yards per game, they play a Denver defense that is third in the NFL for yards allowed. Additionally, Denver’s defense, led by Nik Bonitto and Patrick Surtain Jr., has the most sacks in the NFL. The Cowboys' route to a victory will rely heavily on controlling the line of scrimmage to set up the passing game. Prescott’s ability to be a leader and move throughout the pocket will need to be showcased if they want a win. He’ll need to stay poised in the pocket, go through his reads, and attack early against one of the most prolific defenses in the NFL.
Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos look to keep their win streak going. The Broncos hope to use their home-field advantage and the energy of the crowd to fire them up. Denver will look to ride the intensity of their defense and hold off the Cowboys' powerful offense. Therefore, the Broncos’ route to victory is to control the tempo and use the clock to their advantage, controlling the pace and leaning on the run. This will minimize the number of possessions the Cowboys offense has.
For any hopes of making it to the postseason, both teams would need to walk away from week eight as a winner, but we know that isn’t possible. Denver is competing with the Kansas City Chiefs for first place in the division, and the Cowboys are hunting for a Wild Card spot. A win would be huge for both the Cowboys and the Broncos. On Hard Rock bet, Vegas has the spread at Denver being favored by three-and-a-half, and the over/under at 50.5, which means they think it’s going to be a shootout.
