If John Elway didn’t love Peyton Manning before, he must adore him now that the newest Denver Broncos quarterback is making Elway look like a genius. Manning is off the best start of his already-illustrious career as he leads Denver into Dallas today at 4:25pm Eastern / 1:25pm Pacific to take on a Dallas Cowboys team that hasn’t performed well against the pass this season. Bad timing, ‘boys. But it’s great timing for NFL fans, who can catch the game live on CBS or can watch Broncos vs Cowboys online streaming live for free using one of several different methods.
Manning leads the league in completions (117), completion percentage (75%), yards (1,470), touchdowns (16) and passer rating (138) while not throwing a single interception so far in the 2013 season. All that statistical goodness has led the Broncos to league-leading averages for points (44.8 per game) and offense (483 yards per game), not to mention the NFL’s top-ranked passing game.
The Broncos are the road team, though, and the last time these teams faced off in 2011, Dallas actually came away with a thrilling 24-23 victory against a Broncos team led by Tim Tebow. Those days seem long ago, now that Manning has stepped into the Broncos’ quarterback shoes, but Manning has lost his past two games to the Cowboys and has been intercepted six times. However, last week the Cowboys defense allowed San Diego’s Philip Rivers to go for 401 yards and three touchdowns, so if Dallas expects Manning to perform like his historical self rather than his 2013 self, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will need to have his squad work a small miracle to slow down Manning’s record-setting pace.
According to the ESPN experts, that miracle shouldn’t be expected. Of all the games on the NFL’s Week 5 docket, including if you watch Broncos vs Cowboys online streaming live for free, the Denver vs Dallas game is one of just five unanimous decisions. And those decisions are all in favor of the Broncos. Las Vegas agrees too, with the point spread for the Broncos Cowboys game being 7.5 points. And keep in mind, that’s with the Broncos being the road team. If you want to make a mint, bet on the Cowboys to win. Just make sure you’re fully prepared to lose that bet.
The Dallas offense isn’t incapable by any stretch. Tony Romo has eight touchdowns and only one interception, ranks fourth among NFL QBs with a passer rating of 105, and has completed 72.4% of his passes. That latter figure puts him on pace for a career year. Meanwhile, running back DeMarco Murray is third in the NFL with 356 yards, which would be normally provide a dose of warm fuzzies — if Denver weren’t allowing a league-low 74 rushing yards per game.
Seeing the oft-maligned Tony Romo go up against the oft-praised Peyton Manning will be good theater in and of itself. It just so happens that today’s Denver / Dallas game should provide some great football, too. If you can’t catch the game on CBS at 4:25 Eastern / 1:25 Pacific, make sure you watch Broncos vs Cowboys online streaming live for free on CBS’ website or on DirecTV with the NFL Sunday Ticket package. The package itself isn’t free, but the ability to stream games all season long is once you sign up.
