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By Jon Machota , Staff Writer
DENVER -- Well, that was an absolute dumpster fire. The Cowboys got off to a horrible start, sat through an hour weather delay and then looked just as bad after they returned.
Here are my thoughts on the Cowboys' 42-17 blowout loss to the Broncos Sunday.
1. Ezekiel Elliott shut down
It's every team's game plan when facing Dallas, but very few have been able to accomplish it. The Broncos were so good up front, Elliott was never able to break a single run. No team in the last year has figured out the Cowboys running game like the Broncos did Sunday. Elliott was held to 51 yards in last year's season opener. Since then, he's never had less than 80 yards.
On Sunday: 8 yards on 9 carries. Yes, EIGHT yards.
Frankly, I didn't think it was possible to hold the league's best rusher under 10 yards for an entire game. The offensive line certainly didn't play like the all-world group we've become used to. Will be interesting to hear how the players describe what went wrong.
2. CB issues
Pretty tough to win an NFL game with only two cornerbacks. Injuries to Nolan Carroll and Chidobe Awuzie left the Cowboys with only two corners for almost the entire second half. Not that the group was playing particularly well before the injuries.
The good news is Orlando Scandrick is expected back next week and Jourdan Lewis recorded an interception in his first career game. Now, Lewis struggled, but it was his first game and he wasn't expected to play nearly as much as he did. Awuzie's health could be reason for concern. He was dealing with a hamstring issue.
3. What was defense doing?
The entire group struggled all day, making you wonder about that Giants offense that managed only three points last Sunday. Jaylon Smith didn't seem as active as he was in the season opener. Jeff Heath didn't make some of the plays he usually makes. The pass rush outside of DeMarcus Lawrence didn't make much of an impact.
Most of all, the overall tackling was uncharacteristically terrible. So how good is this defense? Probably not as bad as they looked Sunday, but definitely not as good as they appeared in the season opener.
4. Tank
DeMarcus Lawrence said he was expecting more sacks after recording two last week. They come in bunches, pass rushers often say. Lawrence was right. He added two more in the first half alone Sunday. He now has four through two games. Just a reminder: Benson Mayowa led the Cowboys in sacks last season with six ... in 13 games.
Yes, Lawrence was called for the penalty on the field-goal try that gave Denver an automatic first down late in the first half, but how badly would things have been for the Cowboys if not for the sack fumble he caused that led to Dallas' only first-half TD?
5. What just happened?
Not sure anyone expected that outcome. A close loss? Sure. Denver has been one of the best home teams for a long time. But the Cowboys have been very good on the road under Jason Garrett. Just an odd game all around.
It's hard to believe Denver is that much better, especially with Trevor Siemian playing quarterback. Best news for the Cowboys is that the Cardinals and Rams are the next two teams on the schedule and neither look anything like the Broncos.
