Broncos expert points toward one player Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus needs to take advantage of

The Dallas Cowboys have a tough road test ahead. How can they beat the Denver Broncos?

Adam Zientek, Mauricio Rodriguez
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Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus looks on during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium.
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys have a tough game ahead, as they aim for a winning record for the first time this season. To get it, they need to beat the Denver Broncos’ top-ranked defense on the road. Will they?

It’s a tricky question. The Broncos went scoreless for three quarters against the New York Giants. But they’re also the team that dropped 33 points in the fourth quarter against the same team. To get clarity on Denver, I reached out to A to Z Sports Denver’s Adam Zientek.

He pointed out weaknesses on the Broncos, including the one offensive lineman Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus needs to zero in on. Let’s dive into our Q&A behind enemy lines.

1. The Broncos are riding high following that 33-point fourth quarter to beat the Giants, but what happened in the first three? Is there a reason for concern for Denver’s offense?

Zientek: Bo Nix and the Broncos’ offense have had some growing pains, as was evident through the first three quarters against the New York Giants, but it’s nothing new for the club, even this season.

Heading into the final frame, the Broncos were two-of-10 on third down conversions and only managed 180 total yards of offense. Far too many screen passes early in the game resulted in almost nothing, unless it was Marvin Mims Jr. catching the ball.

For some reason, the team just comes alive in the fourth quarter, something it did in the comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Cowboys, Nix and the offense can’t afford to get off to a rough start.

Zientek: The team is down its starting left guard in Ben Powers, and that will absolutely be a position that the Cowboys should try to target. The Broncos are on their fourth option at the position with Alex Palczewski, a fan-favorite who was forced into an increased role with multiple left guards going down with substantial injury.

If there was any player to exploit on the offensive line for the Broncos, it’s the left guard position.

Cowboys’ pass rush and blitz facts

  • The Cowboys rank 23rd in sack rate, per Sports Info Solutions.
  • Dallas’ pressure rate has improved to 16th in the NFL.
  • In the last two weeks, the Cowboys blitzed at the fifth-highest rate in the league (36%). The Cowboys ranked 21st through five weeks at 21%.
  • In the last two weeks, the Cowboys rank eighth in pressure rate in the NFL.

Coaching decision to watch: Eberflus has been more aggressive over the past two weeks, trying to manufacture pressure. The Cowboys will need to do everything in their power to make Bo Nix uncomfortable on Sunday.

3. Patrick Surtain is one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks. Do you expect him to shadow George Pickens or CeeDee Lamb (slot) on Sunday?

Zientek: While Surtain does deserve his flowers, so does fellow cornerback Riley Moss. Whoever the No. 1 option is for the Cowboys’ offense, Surtain will look to lock down. Most likely, we’ll see Surtain lining up against Lamb, while Moss lines up against Pickens.

Pro Football Reference says quarterbacks are 19-for-41 with 284 yards and one touchdown while targeting Moss in coverage this season. For Surtain, QBs are 16-of-30 for 166 yards and no scores. In the game against the Giants, the duo didn’t allow a single completion. It’s one of the best cornerback duos in the entire league.

4. What are your expectations for Sunday’s game?

Zientek: A hard-fought contest and a high-scoring affair. Nix and the Broncos offense have a few magical fourth quarters in them, but this will be an all-around complete game for the Broncos. While Nix is the leader of the team, running back J.K. Dobbins should have one of his best games of the season against the Cowboys, which will allow the play-action to develop and some easier third-down conversions compared to the game against the Giants.

Denver’s defense, once again, wreaks havoc on the quarterback, Dak Prescott, bringing him down at least five times. Edge Nik Bonitto and fellow edge Jonathon Cooper will have another successful day.

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