DMN Blog: Breaking down the Cowboys-Broncos matchups

[WoodysGirl]

11:30 AM Sat, Oct 03, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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When the Cowboys run

The Broncos are allowing just 3.3 yards per carry through three games but they have not faced an offensive line like Dallas' just yet. The Cowboys have posted consecutive 200-yard rushing days for the first time since 1979 and even without Felix Jones have confidence in the ground game. EDGE: Cowboys

When the Cowboys pass

No cornerback has more interceptions than Champ Bailey's 25 since 2004 but he does not have one yet this year. Tony Romo has to make excellent decisions against a front seven that can bring pressure, led by Elvis Dumervil, who has six sacks. With time, Romo should be able to find openings in the middle of the field. EDGE: Cowboys

When the Broncos run

The Cowboys are familiar with Correll Buckhalter from his Phildelphia days, but he has adapted well to the Broncos' zone running scheme as has rookie Knowshon Moreno. In the last two weeks the run defense has shored up its leaks but Denver provides a unique test with its blocking scheme. EDGE: Broncos

When the Broncos pass

Kyle Orton is one of three starting quarterbacks without an interception this year. He makes solid decisions and can mix the ball around to a number of targets. Five guys have at least one catch of 25 yards or more this year. This will be a tougher test for the secondary than Carolina because of the Broncos' variety. EDGE: Broncos.

Special teams

After kickoffs teams are starting on average at the 21.8 against the Cowboys. Denver's is even better at the 20.6. David Buehler and Matt Prater have seven touchbacks each. Mat McBriar put five punts inside the 20 vs. Carolina, which should flip field position for the Cowboys. EDGE: Cowboys

Intangibles

How good are the Broncos? They have played Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland. How good are the Cowboys? Their wins have come against winless teams. This will be the Cowboys first regular-season trip to Invesco Field at Mile High, where Denver owns a 45-20 record there since its opening. EDGE: Broncos




http://www.***BANNED-URL***/images/ice3/icons/blog.gif Comments (1) Leave comment | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail entry

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Very odd logic it seems to me.

 

[RS12]

If Cowboys can stop the run, I dont think Orton can beat them.

 

[davidb257]

The Cowboys will stop the run, its something we do well when its asked for. As for the pass, we'll have to cross our fingers for some picks.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Both offenses have the edge? So this will be a shootout?

Somehow I doubt that.

 

[BAT]

Are the Broncos still running Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme? If so, James preference "straight up" man on man D is gonna get gashed.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Are the Broncos still running Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme? If so, James preference "straight up" man on man D is gonna get gashed.

They are no longer running the zone blocking scheme...

 

[rkell87]

They are no longer running the zone blocking scheme...

some bronco troll was in here saying they mix it up...for what ever thats worth

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

some bronco troll was in here saying they mix it up...for what ever thats worth

Oh ok.. I thought they went to a more traditional blocking scheme.

 

[rkell87]

Oh ok.. I thought they went to a more traditional blocking scheme.

they might have for all i know im not too familar with their team but i saw a bronco fan in a thread yesterday say they do both...he was banned a little while later so idk

 

[Doomsday]

If Cowboys can stop the run, I dont think Orton can beat them.

I agree that is the key to the key, make Orton beat us on third and long.

 

[Beast_from_East]

If Cowboys can stop the run, I dont think Orton can beat them.

Exactly!!!

Did any of you guys actually watch Orton when he played with the Bears??? Lets just say that he was such a stud that the Bears proceeded to trade 2 first round draft picks + Orton for another QB!!!

If freaking Orton lights us up tommorow, we will not win more than 8 games this year, seriously.

 

[lspain1]

The Broncos like to attack the edge in the running game and Orton uses short to medium passes looking for a lot of YAC from the receivers. The secondary needs to tackle today. If they can do this things will go OK, but if they don't it might be a long afternoon. If the game is close (and I think it will), then penalties and turnovers will loom large (a cliche I know but worth repeating) and I hope we've cleaned up our act from last week's drive killing penalties. We'll see.

 

[Dallas4ever]

Exactly!!!

Did any of you guys actually watch Orton when he played with the Bears??? Lets just say that he was such a stud that the Bears proceeded to trade 2 first round draft picks + Orton for another QB!!!

If freaking Orton lights us up tommorow, we will not win more than 8 games this year, seriously.

I feel you here. I have no fear of Kyle Orton whatsoever. If he has a big day on us, then we are done. Everyone will come at us with their guns blazing!

 

[JerryFan]

Exactly!!!

Did any of you guys actually watch Orton when he played with the Bears??? Lets just say that he was such a stud that the Bears proceeded to trade 2 first round draft picks + Orton for another QB!!!

If freaking Orton lights us up tommorow, we will not win more than 8 games this year, seriously.

Orton isn't that bad. The Bears got fleeced on that deal IMO, because Cutler isn't worth 2 1st's and Orton. Orton isn't a world beater, but he gets the job done.

 

[Speedracerbg]

I can see us employing the same style of defense we used against Carolina. We shut down their run pretty well, and we'll still have Newman on Marshall with direct safety help over the top. Seriously, who else are they going to throw to??? Forcing the Broncos to pass will be the defensive strategy, and I can see us pounding the rock with Choice about 25 times!!! They won't be able to stop the power running game.....