Published Oct 22, 12:52pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Oct 22, 12:52pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Oct 22, 12:52pm ET
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| Denver Broncos | -170 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +149 |
The Cowboys' Week 7 shellacking of the Commanders, 44-22, was the third game this season in which they scored 40+ points. Ironically, their positives and negatives came to the forefront in those games. They nearly lost to the Giants, winning 40-37, and they tied with the Packers, 40-40.
They can score with anyone, and they can get torched defensively.
If the Cowboys can strengthen their defense, they could become a viable threat in the NFC.
Owner/GM Jerry Jones understands this, and with the trade deadline approaching, rumors are starting up. Dallas was reportedly in contact with the Raiders about Maxx Crosby, but they denied it, and Las Vegas assured Crosby that they were not shopping him.
Still, with the draft picks the Cowboys amassed in the Micah Parsons trade, they could formulate a package to get a Crosby, or Trey Hendrickson, or Jeffery Simmons.
Against Washington, Dak Prescott had another superb game. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 264 yards and 3 TDs. The Commanders mustered no pass rush, sacking Prescott once for 7 yards.
CeeDee Lamb returned from a high ankle sprain and caught 5 balls, including a 74-yard TD catch.
CEEDEE LAMB 74-YARD TD IN HIS FIRST GAME BACK FROM INJURY 🔥
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 19, 2025
(via @dallascowboys)pic.twitter.com/MGFm81toeJ
Former Bronco Javonte Williams ran for 116 yards on 19 carries.
On defense, DaRon Bland picked off a Marcus Mariota pass and ran it back for a TD. Dallas sacked Washington QBs four times.
Overall, in context, it was a good defensive showing.
The Cowboys' problems are obvious. They are ranked 2nd in the NFL in points per game and 30th in points allowed per game. They are at the bottom in defensive yards allowed per game. They're 30th in defensive rushing yards per game.
Shoring up the defense is a priority.
It took Broncos head coach Sean Payton four years to get the Saints to the Super Bowl. He is in his third year in Denver, and the expectation was that they were another year away from entering the upper echelon of the AFC. Now, however, they are 5-2 and in 1st place in the AFC West.
Two of those victories were dramatic 4th quarter comebacks. In Week 5, they scored 18 unanswered points to beat the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles on the road. In Week 7, QB Bo Nix led them to 25 points in the final 5:13 to beat the Giants on a last-second Wil Lutz field goal.
Bo Nix in the 4th quarter vs the Giants:
— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) October 19, 2025
-76.2 completion %
-218 total yards
-4 total TDs
-Overcame 19-point deficit
ICE IN HIS VEINSpic.twitter.com/Ytco3pEHr4
Falling behind by double-digits and coming back to win in the last quarter is untenable, but it speaks to their ability to overcome adversity.
Denver's strength is its defense. They are 6th in the league in defensive passing yards per game and 9th in defensive rushing yards per game. But vulnerabilities were exposed against the Giants. If they play similarly against Dallas, Prescott and Co. will eat them up.
Nix has shown a flair for the dramatic, and they can run the ball with J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Trevor Keegan, DAL | INJURED |
| Juanyeh Thomas, DAL | INJURED |
| Marshawn Kneeland, DAL | INJURED |
| Trevon Diggs, DAL | INJURED |
| Ajani Cornelius, DAL | INJURED |
| Jonah Elliss, DEN | INJURED |
For Cowboys-Broncos NFL Week 8, both teams are looking toward the possibility of a deep postseason run. They need to clean up some issues. For the Cowboys, it's their defense in general. And the Broncos need to stop falling behind heading toward the latter stages of the game, hoping Nix can carry them back John Elway-style.
Dallas' key is keeping its opponents from lighting up the scoreboard and outscoring them. The Cowboys' offense is nearly at full power, and they will hold the Broncos off and win the game outright.
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Pick
Dallas Cowboys +149
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