Denver tops Dallas, improves to 4-0

DENVER • Brandon Marshall’s catch and spectacular open-field run were amazing. Champ Bailey knocking away not one, but two Tony Romo passes in the final 10 seconds were clutch moments under intense circumstances.

Yet, the Denver Broncos expect to succeed in occasions like those. Whether they are backed up inside their 10-yard line with the game on the line or down 10 points in the first quarter, or even when individuals are being ripped for trading away a Pro Bowl quarterback or serving a team-ordered suspension, adversity and pressure don’t seem to affect them.

Not much was predicted for Denver, but it is 4-0 after a thrilling 17-10 victory over Dallas on Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High. Coach Josh McDaniels wanted physically and mentally tough players – like they have in New England, McDaniels’ previous team and Denver’s next opponent – and he has been rewarded with a resilient team.

“I’m not surprised with anything that’s happened here,” running back LaMont Jordan said. “We have a great core group of guys and I know this formula works. I played against it my first four years with the Jets, I played for (New England) coach (Bill) Belichick in this formula last year, so I know it works.”

When the Cowboys took a 10-0 lead the skeptics who howled about the Broncos benefiting from a soft schedule looked right. Denver might have silenced those skeptics after it didn’t allow a point and gave up only 38 rushing yards to the top-ranked rushing offense in the NFL over the final three quarters.

The momentum seemed to swing when the Broncos recovered a fumble after a blitz by safety Renaldo Hill. That set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Orton to Knowshon Moreno, which cut Dallas’ lead to 10-7.

Denver didn’t find a rhythm as Moreno fumbled on the first play of the third quarter, but the team was bailed out by a Bailey interception. Later, the Broncos were stuffed on third and inches, and again on fourth down to end the third quarter. Still, they bounced back and tied the game on a field goal with 5:58 left. 

The Broncos finally got going when Marshall was in single-coverage against cornerback Terence Newman on the first play after the 2-minute warning. Marshall caught a pass over Newman’s head, broke to the middle of the field and made a great cutback to score, leaving Cowboys defenders strewn in his path. Marshall, who was suspended by McDaniels in August, gave his coach credit for the play call.

“Before we even came out of the huddle, me and Kyle were on the same page and we took advantage of it,” Marshall said.

Yet, the game wasn’t over. Romo pulled out a wild fourth-down pass to Sam Hurd for 53 yards. But when Dallas had third-and-goal at the 2-yard line, Bailey was ready. McDaniels said Bailey never went to the huddle before the final two defensive plays because the Broncos had practiced that situation and knew what to expect. Bailey’s talent took over as he knocked away two straight passes to Hurd.

“That’s what good teams do,” Bailey said. “When it’s crunch time, you find a way.”
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