Dallas Cowboys Fall Two Yards Short, Lose 17-10

The Cowboys made a nice last minute effort but fell short at the Broncos' two yard line and lose their second game of the season, 17-10.

This game was a defensive battle, but Brandon Marshall's 52-yard catch and run for a touchdown proved to be the difference in the game. The Cowboys played good defense on Marshall before that play as he had just three catches for 40 yards.

Kyle Orton was sacked three times but overcame the Cowboys' pressure to go 20-29 for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He also hit seven Broncos' receivers and did not throw an interception.

Broncos' running backs Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno combined for 102 yards on 20 carries. The Broncos moved the ball with ease for most of the second half, but they got in their own way most of the game as they were penalized 10 times for 81 yards which stalled some of their drives.

The Cowboys once again let their mistakes tell the story.

A bad route by Miles Austin lead to an interception inside the Broncos' five yard line. A holding penalty by Martellus Bennett wiped out a first down, leading to a punt. A facemask penalty by Anthony Spencer extended a Denver drive.

Tony Romo was very ineffective yesterday going 25-42 for 255 and one interception; he was also sacked five times. This marks the second straight game that Romo didn't throw a touchdown. It also marks the second straight game where no Cowboys' receiver had at least 70 yards receiving.

Sam Hurd had three catches for 62 yards, including a 53-yard catch and run on the Cowboys' final drive that set them inside the Broncos' 10-yard line for first and goal with less than a minute left.

Romo hit Patrick Crayton on first down which took the Cowboys' to the two yard line, after Romo spiked the ball on second and goal the Cowboys tried to run two slants inside to Hurd who was matched up against Broncos' CB Champ Bailey. Bailey played perfect defense on both passes, knocking the last pass down on fourth and goal to kill the Cowboys' comeback hopes.

The Cowboys' running game, which had been strong the last two weeks sputtered yesterday. Marion Barber and Tashard Choice shared 25 carries, but only gained 74 yards. Barber looked good in the first half and scored a touchdown, but Head Coach Wade Phillips gave Barber one carry in the second half instead going with Choice.

The Cowboys kept the Broncos from scoring most of the game and had a huge defensive stand in the fourth quarter as they stopped the Broncos on third and fourth-and-one to get the ball back on downs. 

However the Cowboys defense fell apart in the last two minutes for the second time this season giving up an eight yard pass to Marshall and a 14 yard run to Moreno before Marshall's touchdown catch. If they want to be known as a good defense they need to make stops at key points in the game and they're not doing that now.

The Cowboys have yet to find their identity and until they do they're going to continue to be what they are now, a middle of the pack team who can beat up on lesser talent but won't beat teams with the same level of talent because they play harder.