The Dallas Cowboys are looking to get above .500 for the first time this season as they take on the 5-2 Denver Broncos. Will they be able to pull off the upset and continue building momentum? Or will the horrors of the first month of the season continue to persist? Let’s take a look at three questions that the Cowboys will need to answer to ensure the former.

Can the Pass Rush Continue Improving?

After posting back-to-back games with a PFF pass rush grade of 73 or higher, there was optimism that Dallas could continue that level after struggling to get to the quarterback the first month of the season. After all, they only reached that mark once in the first four games, that instance being Week 2 against the New York Giants.

While they didn’t quite do that (they had a 62.7 pass rushing grade in Week 7), they did record four sacks, including a strip sack by Shemar James that led to a turnover. With Bo Nix struggling under pressure to the tune of 39.6 passing grade and ranking No. 44 in the NFL in such scenarios, getting consistent pressure will be key.  

Will they be able to beat Pat Surtain II?

I know that Pat Surtain is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and that he has a well-earned reputation as a lockdown corner. But he’s not the same player this year and is actually following a pattern he’s established in his career in which he’s elite in even numbered years, but just fine in odd numbered years. 

In odd numbered years (2021, 2023, and now 2025) his PFF grade has been between 66.1 and 69.0, a perfectly fine range. It is, however, far off from the precedent he set in 2022 (86.8) and 2024 (83.8). 

With CeeDee Lamb back and better than ever, as well as George Pickens playing like a true 1B instead of a No. 2 wide out, this could be a rare opportunity for Dallas to truly test the All-Pro defender and open up the whole field. Doing so would empty the box for Javonte Williams and give him that many more opportunities against a thinly stretched defense. 

Can they play a complete game?

With the Broncos having a +42 point differential in the fourth quarter so far this year, Dallas will have to make sure they finish strong of course. But what’s been an equally maddening issue at times for the Cowboys is their slow starts. 

Twice, Dallas has scored 37 points in regulation and gone to overtime, beating the Giants in Week 2 and tying the Green Bay Packers in Week 4. In both of those games, they dug an early hole, going down 13-3 in Week 2 and 13-0 in Week 4. 

As important as finishing strong will be, not falling behind early will be of equal necessity if the Cowboys want to break these Broncos.