Dallas Cowboys (0-0) vs. Denver Broncos (0-0)
It is a potential Super Bowl preview on Saturday when the Dallas Cowboys take on the Denver Broncos in the first preseason game for both clubs. Dallas is coming off a 12-5 season that saw the club win their division but fall to the San Francisco 49ers in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Denver finished in last place in the AFC West, but there is a new sense of optimism for the Broncos with star quarterback Russell Wilson coming from the Seattle Seahawks.
With the game in Denver, the Broncos enter as -3.0 favorites (-110), with the total set at 31.5 (over: -110, under: -110). Dallas went 4-0 ATS in their last four road games while Denver is 1-5 ATS in their last six games on a Saturday. The Broncos are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between these teams.
The Dallas Cowboys will play their first preseason game, and while there will be a lot of attention focused on offensive tackle Tyler Smith (Tulsa) and edge pass rusher Sam Williams (Ole Miss), it will be Jalen Tolbert and the other group of young wide receivers who will earn the most discussion.
Starting quarterback Dak Prescott is not expected to see much action, but the trade of Amari Cooper and the knee rehab for Michael Gallup has opened the door for some young wide receivers to see extensive action, even into the early part of the season. Tolbert is expected to have an immediate impact for this offense.
See practice status updates on Diggs, Lamb, Kearse and more. #Updates | @Blockchain
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 11, 2022
While he will not see a lot of action here in the preseason, Ezekiel Elliott got a big contract. He is expected to be the focal point of this offense after rushing for 1002 yards, posting a 4.2 yards per carry average. Elliott only average 58.9 yards per game last season, scoring 10 touchdowns, and a lot more is going to be expected of him, especially after a disappointing 12 carry, 31-yard performance against San Francisco in the playoff loss.
This is a schedule packed with brutal opponents, including Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay, and Tennessee. An 11-victory season for this club may be about as good as it gets.