BRONCOS’ DEFENSE COMES UP BIG IN WIN OVER COWBOYS

The Denver Broncos spotted the Dallas Cowboys ten first quarter points, and then held them scoreless for the rest of the game en route to a 17-10 victory in the Mile High City.  After tying the game early in the fourth quarter the Broncos sealed the win with a slick 51 yard Kyle Orton to Brandon Marshall pass play for the decisive touchdown with just under two minutes remaining.  The Cowboys got close in the waning seconds, but Broncos’ cornerback Champ Bailey got his hand on the potential touchdown pass and knocked it away.   The Broncos are now 4-0 for the first time since 2003, while the Cowboys dropped to 2-2.

Denver also got the money for their NFL betting ‘investors’ with the outright victory as +3 home underdogs.  The Broncos improved their ATS record to a perfect 4-0, while Dallas dropped to 2-2 against the pointspread.  The 27 combined points scored went well UNDER the posted total of 44.  The Broncos have gone UNDER in all four of their 2009 games, while Dallas evened their NFL over/under mark at 2-2.

Cowboys’ cornerback Terence Newman complained that a flag should have been thrown for offensive pass interference on Denver’s game winning touchdown strike:

"I couldn't have played that play any better. I could have sworn it was going to be a penalty. He grabbed my jersey and threw me to the side. If that wasn't a hold, I don't know what is. I tried to grab him back. I figured either way, we were both going to be called for holding. But the refs didn't see it."

For his part, Marshall said that he was nervous after the score due to the Cowboys’ potent two minute offense:

"Going back to Pop Warner I've made a bunch of plays like that really didn't mean anything because we end up losing the game. We knew their 2-minute offense is one of the best in the business."

Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo inexplicably kept throwing at Champ Bailey’s side of the field despite the fact that he’d already been intercepted once earlier in the contest.  Bailey said that he welcomed the challenge:

"I welcome it. Please do. That's the only way I get a chance to make plays."

Teammate Brian Dawkins was equally surprised at Romo’s repeated challenge of Bailey:

"That surprised me. Both times that surprised me. To challenge a Hall of Famer, still doing what he does? You saw what he did on that beautiful pick on the sideline. So that surprised me that they continued to go at Champ. I'm glad they did."

Romo, meanwhile, explained his strategic rationale:

"They're good all over. I understand Champ's good. It's questionable. I think you could go either way on that call. It's a bang-bang play and the corner's always driving on the ball. If he gets to the ball early, that's part of the game. ... Those are always going to be contested throws."

Denver will face another tough challenge to their undefeated record on Sunday, hosting the New England Patriots.  The Broncos are +3’ home underdogs, with the total set at 41’.  They’ll then take on the San Diego Chargers in southern California next Monday night before a bye week.  They’ll return to action on November 1st on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.  The Cowboys will play at Kansas City this weekend with Dallas installed as a -9’ road favorite.  The total in the contest has been set at 42’.

They’ll be off the following weekend and return to action on October 25th with back to back home games against Atlanta and Seattle.