(Arlington) Teddy Bridgewater threw a touchdown pass and added one to the ground, guiding the Denver Broncos to a 30-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Dak Prescott returned to the game after missing a game with a right calf injury, but was unable to help the Cowboys (6-2) extend their winning streak to seven.
The Broncos (5-4) had two sacks at the expense of Prescott, Jonathon Cooper’s career first two, and they made the Cowboys quarterback uncomfortable despite losing all-star linebacker Von Miller, who was traded, and Malik Reed, who is injured.
The Broncos’ offense advanced the ball with their ground play. The Denver Troops gave the Cowboys their first 10+ point delay this season, when Bridgewater threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick.
PHOTO RON JENKINS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
The Broncos extended their lead to 30-0 and won a seventh straight game against the Cowboys since 1995. Prescott threw two touchdown passes to Malik Turner in the final five minutes of the game.
Even when the Cowboys were playing well, the outcome was not positive. They blocked a punt early in the second half, but rookie Nahshon Wright touched the ball over the line of scrimmage and the Broncos picked it up.
The Broncos were able to start their offensive streak at their 19-line and put in a few dozen yards for Brandon McManus to get the third of four field goals.
The Cowboys didn’t realize any of their four chances on the fourth down. The best offense in the NFL had to settle for a total of 290 yards, his lowest harvest of the campaign.
Prescott completed 19 of his 39 passes for gains of 232 yards. His streak of four games with at least three touchdown passes was curbed.
Bridgewater had 19 of his 28 passes for 249 yards. He completed several important passes to allow the Broncos to convert eight of their 15 third down attempts.