Dak Prescott, Jaydon Blue Lead Cowboys Past Broncos in Wild Finish

DENVER, CO - Under the lights at Empower Field, the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos delivered one of the most chaotic, high-scoring thrillers of the season - a roller-coaster contest that saw 10 total touchdowns, multiple lead changes, and a frantic finish. When the dust settled, Dallas held on for a 39-35 win to improve to 8-0, while Denver dropped to 4-4 despite another fiery outing from rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

First-half fireworks

The Broncos opened in rhythm, riding Javonte Williams on the ground and letting Nix find his groove off play-action. A crisp eight-play drive ended with Williams powering in from the 4-yard line for a 7-0 Denver lead. Dallas answered immediately: Dak Prescott engineered a 10-play march capped by Jaydon Blue plunging across the goal line.

From there the game turned frantic. Nix pushed Denver back ahead 10-7 with a 45-yard bomb to Courtland Sutton down the right sideline - "That's our shot play," Nix said afterward, grinning - but Dallas countered with a methodical drive finished by Jake Ferguson on a seam route to retake the lead.

Late in the half, Prescott orchestrated a two-minute drill that ended with Blue's second touchdown and a 17-13 Cowboys advantage. "When we stay on schedule, we're tough to stop," Prescott said. "Jaydon gives us that downhill edge that wears people out."

The third-quarter seesaw

Denver regained momentum after halftime when Nix hit Sutton again, this time for a 34-yard score after escaping pressure. The Broncos briefly reclaimed a 20-17 edge, but Prescott responded with a 68-yard drive highlighted by back-to-back completions to George Pickens and Ferguson. On 3rd-and-goal, Prescott kept the ball himself, diving over the pile for a touchdown and a 24-20 lead.

Dallas's defense finally found a rhythm, forcing two punts, and kicker Brandon Aubrey added a 23-yard field goal to stretch the margin. But the Broncos weren't done. Williams ripped off a 27-yard gain, and Nix capped the drive with a touchdown strike to Marvin Mims Jr. to make it 27-26 after a missed two-point try.

Chaos in the fourth

The final quarter was pure bedlam. Prescott hit Pickens on a crossing route for a 41-yard touchdown that electrified the Cowboys sideline. "George just kept his route alive," Prescott said. "I threw it where only he could get it." Denver again struck back - Nix connecting with Sutton for his third score of the night - but the Broncos failed another two-point attempt, leaving Dallas clinging to a 31-32 edge.

With 5:14 left, Blue carried the Cowboys on his back, pounding Denver's front for tough yards on a 12-play, 78-yard drive that chewed nearly all the remaining clock. On 2nd-and-goal, Blue broke through a collapsing pile for his third touchdown of the night, restoring Dallas's lead at 39-35. Aubrey tacked on the extra point to close the scoring and force Denver into desperation mode.

"We wanted to lean on that line," head coach Andres Perez said. "Our backs trusted the blocks, and Dak managed the game perfectly down the stretch."

Defense finally delivers

Denver still had one last chance. With 1:32 to go, Nix drove the Broncos across midfield, hitting Sutton for a clutch third-down conversion. But Dallas's defensive line closed in, collapsing the pocket on back-to-back plays. On fourth down, Nix rolled to his right and fired toward the sideline, but the pass sailed incomplete - ending the Broncos' furious comeback bid.

"We talk about finishing," Perez said afterward. "That's team defense - rush, coverage, and communication. Everyone did their job."

Nix finished with 382 passing yards and three touchdowns, continuing his impressive rookie campaign. Prescott threw for 254 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on the ground. Blue carried the load for Dallas with 67 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Sutton led all receivers with 134 yards and three scores in the losing effort.

"Man, we fought," Nix said afterward, shaking his head. "You can't question our heart. We just need that one stop."

Prescott smiled when told of the comment. "He's right - both sides were swinging. But tonight was our turn to land the last punch."

Up Next

The Cowboys return home to host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9, while the Broncos hit the road to face the Houston Texans.