Dominant Broncos throw off Cowboys
Elliott held to just 8 yards on ground
DENVER — Aqib Talib’s 103-yard interception return for a touchdown with 53 seconds left was the final indignity for the Cowboys in the Denver Broncos’ 42-17 blowout of Dallas and its vaunted offense on Sunday.
It was Talib’s 10th pick six, just two shy of Darren Woodson’s NFL record.
“No. 10,” relished Talib. “It’s just mind-boggling.”
Sort of like Denver’s defensive dominance of Dallas and its vaunted offense.
Ezekiel Elliott had the worst game of his career with nine carries for 8 yards, Dallas managed just 40 yards rushing and one first down on the ground.
The Cowboys (1-1) went 3 for 14 on third downs and failed three times on fourth down, looking nothing like the team that dominated the Giants in their opener.
“I want to emphasize today, this is not what we’re about in my view,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “I feel strongly about that. On the other hand, this is what Denver is about.”
The only big blemish in Denver’s fifth straight 2-0 start was the apparently serious injury to their top draft pick, left tackle Garett Bolles, who left the stadium on crutches and with a boot on his left foot after getting hurt in the third quarter.
With the stadium still rocking in the final minute, Talib stepped in
front of Dez Bryant, who had earlier beaten him for a TD, snared Dak Prescott’s fourth-down pass and raced up Dallas’ dejected sideline.
He slipped Cole Beasley’s tackle and followed linebacker Brandon Marshall’s beautiful block of Prescott into the south end zone, where he jumped into the stands, exhausted by enjoying every last bit of what he called “an all-around complete ballgame from the Broncos.”
Trevor Siemian tied a career high with four touchdown passes in a game that included an hour-long lightning delay that did nothing to slow Denver’s rolling offense.
“We knew they were sound in the secondary,” Jones said. “We were a little taken aback by how well they did offensively. “They seemed to really have our number. There’s no excuses here. Their quarterback played outstanding.”
Elliott, who’s playing while his appeal of a six-game suspension for domestic violence works its way through the courts, came into the game averaging 108 yards rushing per game and more than 5 yards a carry in his career. At Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
■ When: 5:30 p.m. PDT Monday
■ TV: ESPN;
■ Line: Giants -3; total 42 1/2
■ Series history: 44th regular-season meeting, with the series tied 21-21-1. The Giants beat the Lions 17-6 last season, the first of three straight losses the Lions suffered to end the season and cost them the NFC North title.
■ Keys to the game: Running the ball has been a chore for the Lions against much lesser teams, so expect the Lions to use the short passing game to loosen up one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Theo Riddick could be especially active against the Giants’ linebackers, and Ameer Abdullah is a threat catching the ball as well.
On defense, the Lions must take advantage of a leaky Giants offensive line and get pressure on Eli Manning. Both Ziggy
Ansah and Anthony Zettel are capable of big games, and Haloti Ngata should be disruptive against John Jerry. Points won’t be easy to come by, so taking care of the football and maximizing field position are necessities.
The Giants’ offense is seeking redemption, starting with a more balanced offensive attack that helps keep the group on the field and gives the already overworked defense more of a breather. For that to happen, the Giants need to get a much better showing from their beleaguered offensive line, which last week couldn’t execute on a consistent basis.
The Giants also hope to have star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (sprained ankle) back for this game.
The fourth-year receiver is likely to be a game-time decision, needing to convince the team’s medical staff and himself that his healing ankle can hold up.
■ Injury report: Lions — Questionable: DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle); Giants —
Out: LB Keenan Robinson (concussion); Questionable: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), G D.J. Fluker (shin), LB B.J. Goodson (shin).
■ Pick: Lions 21-16
Chris Cluff