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Cowboys 100: Facts and stats for Week 9 battle against Denver Broncos

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t beaten Denver since 1995 as they look to end a six-game losing streak to the Broncos and pick up their sixth win in the all-time series.

DALLAS — It’s a tale of two streaks of six on Sunday in Week 9 for the Dallas Cowboys. On one front, Dallas is enjoying a six-game winning streak in 2021 that they would love to extend against the Denver Broncos. On the other, the Cowboys have not beaten the Broncos in six tries since a victory over Denver in Sept. 1995.

That’s right. Dallas has more recently won a Super Bowl since last they toppled the Broncos.

The Cowboys will be helped by the likely return of quarterback Dak Prescott after he missed their thrilling 20-16 Week 8 win against the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, after starting the season 3-0, Denver lost four in a row before evening their record with a 17-10 victory over the Washington Football Team last week.

With that in mind, here are 100 facts and stats as the Cowboys get set for a home game at AT&T Stadium where they will look to continue one streak while ending another:

SERIES FACTS (10)

-The Cowboys are 6-1 for the 12th time in team history. Here is a breakdown of the final fates of the previous 11 teams:

  • Lost divisional: 1968, 1969, 1976, 1979, 2007, 2014, 2016
  • Lost conference: 1982, 1994
  • Won Super Bowl: 1992, 1995

-Since 1990 teams that started 7-1 made the playoffs 49 of 51 times (96.1%). 45 of those 49 teams won their division.

-Since 1990, teams that started 6-2 made the playoffs 116 of 141 times (82.3%). 76 of those 116 teams won their division.

-The Broncos are 4-4 for the 12th time in team history. Only one of those previous 11 teams made the playoffs: 2000, which lost the wild-card to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

-Since 1990, when playoff formats were last realigned, 79 of the 169 teams that started 5-4 made the playoffs (46.7%).

-Since 1990, when playoff formats were last reformatted, 26 of the 174 teams that started 4-5 made the playoffs (14.9%) with 11 of them having won their division.

-The Cowboys are 5-8 against the Broncos, including the postseason, with a 2-3 record at home:

  • Texas Stadium: 2-2
  • AT&T Stadium: 0-1

-The Cowboys are 0-2 against the Broncos in November with all of those games played at home on Thanksgiving.

-Since 1970, the Cowboys are 156-115 in early afternoon games with a 74-40 record at home.

-Since 1970, Denver is 72-82-1 in early afternoon games with a 21-27-1 record in the Central Time Zone.

DAK PRESCOTT FACTS (14)

-Among quarterbacks with at least six starts, Prescott’s 73.1 completion percentage is the best in the NFL.

-Despite not playing for two weeks, Prescott is tied with Justin Herbert for the eighth-most touchdown passes with eight.

-Prescott’s 7.4 touchdown percentage per pass attempt is the fifth-highest in the NFL.

-Prescott’s 8.4 yards per attempt is the seventh-highest in the league.

-Prescott’s 302.2 passing yards per game are the fourth-most in the NFL.

-Prescott’s 115.0 passer rating is the third-highest in the league.

-Prescott gets sacked on 4.0% of his dropbacks, representing the sixth-fewest in the NFL.

-Prescott’s 7.4 intended air yards per completion are tied with Davis Mills for the eighth-lowest in the NFL.

-Prescott’s completed air yards per pass attempt are the ninth-lowest in the NFL at 4.4.

-Among quarterbacks who have started at least six games, Prescott’s 111.8 passer rating on third down is the seventh-highest in the NFL.

-Among quarterbacks who have started at least six games, Prescott’s 9.5 yards per pass attempt on third downs is the fifth-highest in 2021.

-Among quarterbacks who have started at least six games, Prescott’s 70.0 completion percentage on third down is the second-highest in the league.

-Prescott is making his second start against Denver. Here is how other Cowboys quarterbacks have fared:

  • Roger Staubach: 3-0
  • Troy Aikman: 2-1
  • Danny White: 0-1
  • Steve Pelluer: 0-1
  • Ryan Leaf: 0-1
  • Drew Bledsoe: 0-1
  • Tony Romo: 0-2

-The Cowboys with Prescott and teammate Cooper Rush, along with the Jets, are the only teams to have multiple quarterbacks this season with a game-winning drive and fourth-quarter comeback.

TEDDY BRIDGEWATER FACTS (15)

-Bridgewater is the 53rd starting quarterback in Broncos franchise history.

-Bridgewater’s 70.4 completion percentage is the fourth-highest in the NFL.

-Bridgewater has thrown for 96 first downs, the ninth-most in the league.

-Bridgewater is tied with Trevor Lawrence for the 10th-fewest yards per completion at 10.6.

-Bridgewater has been sacked 22 times, tied with Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff for the third-most in the NFL.

-Bridgewater is tied with Tom Brady and Zach Wilson for the eighth-highest intended air yards per attempt at 8.7.

-Bridgewater is tied with Joe Burrow for the sixth-highest completed air yards per pass attempt at 4.6.

-Among quarterbacks who have started every game, Bridgewater has benefited from the lowest yards after the catch per reception at 4.0.

-Bridgewater is tied for the seventh-most passes batted at the line of scrimmage with five.

-Bridgewater has had 2.8% of his passes dropped, the fifth-most in the league.

-Bridgewater benefits from 2.4 seconds in the pocket, tied for the seventh-most in the league.

-Bridgewater has been pressured 84 times, the third-most in the NFL.

-Bridgewater is tied with Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston, and Justin Herbert for the seventh-most red zone touchdown passes with one.

-With Bridgewater and Drew Lock each throwing a red zone interception, the Broncos are the only team to have two quarterbacks who have thrown at least one red zone pick.

-Bridgewater is 1-0 against the Cowboys. On Sept. 29, 2019, he led the New Orleans Saints to a 12-10 win on Sunday Night Football at the Superdome, going 23-of-30 for 193 yards and an interception. Dallas sacked Bridgewater five times.

EZEKIEL ELLIOTT FACTS (10)

-Elliott has the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL with 571.

-Elliott is tied for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns with five.

-All five of Elliott’s rushing touchdowns have come in the red zone, tied for the third-most in the NFL.

-Elliott has generated 30 first downs on the ground, the third-most in the NFL.

-Among running backs with at least 90 carries, Elliott’s 4.8 yards per carry are the third-highest in the NFL.

-Elliott hasn’t fumbled in the last 11 games, the longest stretch of his career.

-Elliott gains 324 yards before contact, the third-most in the NFL.

-Elliott’s 247 yards after contact are the sixth-most in the league.

-Elliott has gained 374 yards on first down, the fourth-most in the NFL.

-Among players with at least 50 first down carries, Elliott’s 4.99 yards per carry on first down is the third-highest in the NFL.

MIKE MCCARTHY FACTS (8)

-This is the 64th week that McCarthy has held undisputed first place in his team’s division and his eighth with the Cowboys.

-McCarthy is 26-32-1 all-time in November with a 13-12-1 record at home.

-All-time, McCarthy is 34-23 against the AFC with a 13-14 record at home.

-McCarthy is 11-2 against the AFC West with a 6-0 record at home.

-McCarthy is 2-1 against the Broncos. Here is how that compares to other AFC West opponents:

  • Chargers: 4-0
  • Raiders: 3-0
  • Broncos: 2-1
  • Chiefs: 2-1

-McCarthy is facing the Broncos for the first time as the Cowboys’ coach. Here is how other coaches fared:

  • Tom Landry: 3-2
  • Jimmy Johnson: 1-0
  • Barry Switzer: 1-0
  • Chan Gailey: 0-1
  • Dave Campo: 0-1
  • Bill Parcells: 0-1
  • Wade Phillips: 0-1
  • Jason Garrett: 0-2

-McCarthy is 48 for 98 on challenges for his career with an 0 for 3 rate in 2021.

-McCarthy has extended a winning streak 58 of 86 times in his career.

VIC FANGIO FACTS (5)

-Fangio is the first Bears defensive coordinator since Buddy Ryan to be hired straight to a head coaching gig from Chicago.

-Fangio is 7-17 against playoff-winning coaches with a 3-9 record on the road.

-Fangio is 1 of 4 AP Assistant Coach of the Year Award winners to have been hired as a head coach the following year. The only assistants who weren’t were Wade Phillips (2015), Greg Roman (2019), and Brian Daboll (2020).

-A win over the Cowboys would join Fangio with Dan Reeves, Josh McDaniels, John Fox, and Vance Joseph as the only Denver head coaches to defeat Dallas in their first meeting.

-Fangio is just the fifth Broncos coach to come from a defensive background. The other four are Vance Joseph, John Fox, Wade Phillips, and Ray Malavasi.

BROADCAST FACTS (10)

-FOX will be broadcasting a game from this series for the fourth time. Here is the breakdown of the series by network:

  • CBS: 8
  • FOX: 3
  • NBC: 2

-Dallas is 147-133 all-time on FOX, including the postseason.

-The Broncos are 34-19 all-time on FOX.

-Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen will be Sunday's play-by-play team.

-Dallas is 29-20 when Burkhardt calls their games, including Compass Media Network games.

-The Cowboys are 1-0 with Olsen providing commentary for their games.

-Burkhardt is calling his first Broncos game for FOX.

-Olsen is calling his first Broncos game for FOX.

-One of the best games of Olsen’s career came against the Broncos on Nov. 11, 2012, when he caught nine passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

-This will be the second early game in the series. Otherwise, the remaining 11 games in the series have been late afternoon kickoffs.

BILL VINOVICH FACTS (15)

-This week’s referee is Bill Vinovich. Dallas is 8-6 with Vinovich officiating. Here are the results:

  • 2004 – @CIN, 3-26 – L
  • 2004 – WAS, 13-10 – W
  • 2005 – PHI, 33-10 – W
  • 2006 – Colts, 21-14 – W
  • 2012 – @CIN, 20-19 – W
  • 2013 – @DET, 30-31 – L
  • 2014 – @NYG, 31-28 – W
  • 2015 – NYG, 27-26 – W
  • 2015 – @TB, 6-10 – L
  • 2016 – @WAS, 27-23 – W
  • 2017 – PHI, 9-37 – L
  • 2018 – @HTX, 16-19 – L-OT
  • 2019 – BUF, 15-26 – L
  • 2020 – @MIN, 31-28 – W

-The Cowboys have had fewer penalties than their opposition 10 of 14 times with Vinovich making the calls:

  • 2004 – CIN: 4/20; DAL: 7/46
  • 2004 – WAS: 8/69; DAL: 1/13
  • 2005 – PHI: 8/54; DAL: 5/48
  • 2006 – CLT: 5/35; DAL: 7/53
  • 2012 – CIN: 8/70; DAL: 6/49
  • 2013 – DET: 8/61; DAL: 2/31
  • 2014 – NYG: 5/30; DAL: 7/63
  • 2015 – NYG: 5/44; DAL: 3/35
  • 2015 – TB: 7/62; DAL: 6/68
  • 2016 – WAS: 8/51; DAL: 6/39
  • 2017 – PHI: 3/30; DAL: 2/10
  • 2018 – HTX: 5/25; DAL: 7/72
  • 2019 – BUF: 7/53; DAL: 5/66
  • 2020 – MIN: 8/80; DAL: 4/30

-Vinovich has the highest (.833) home team winning percentage among officiating crews this season.

-Vinovich is tied for the eighth-highest (.500) percentage of home teams having fewer penalties.

-The Broncos are 3-8 with Vinovich. Here are the results:

  • 2004 – @NO, 34-13 – W
  • 2006 – @RAM, 10-18 – L
  • 2006 – @KC, 10-19 – L
  • 2012* – RAV, 35-38 – L-OT
  • 2013 – SDG, 20-27 – L
  • 2014 – @SEA, 20-26 – L-OT
  • 2014 – @CIN, 28-37 – L
  • 2015 – RAI, 12-15 – L
  • 2016 – @NO, 25-23 – W
  • 2017 – NYG, 10-23 – L
  • 2019 – CLE, 24-19 – W

*playoffs

-The Broncos have had fewer penalties 7/11 times with Vinovich:

2004 – NO: 10/79; DEN: 6/82

2006 – RAM: 10/94; DEN: 4/30

2006 – KC: 4/25; DEN: 7/44

2012* – RAV: 8/56; DEN: 10/87

2013 – SDG: 4/35; DEN: 6/43

2014 – SEA: 7/34; DEN: 4/27

2014 – CIN: 7/45; DEN: 6/72

2015 – RAI: 10/70; DEN: 4/27

2016 – NO: 3/25; DEN: 1/10

2017 – NYG: 5/77; DEN: 5/46

2019 – CLE: 5/40; DEN: 7/55

*playoffs

-Vinovich’s games are tied for the seventh-most sacks with an average of 4.8 per contest.

-Vinovich’s crew calls the fifth-fewest (2.2) offensive holding calls per game.

-Under Vinovich, the Cowboys have won 2 of 7 of their coaches challenges compared to their opponents winning 3 of 7 coaches challenges. Additionally, Replay Assistant is 2 for 7 on challenges with only two of those rulings benefiting the Cowboys.

-The Broncos are 5 for 6 challenging Vinovich with opponents going 2 for 3. Replay Assistant is 1 for 9 with three of those calls benefiting Denver.

-Vinovich is tied for the sixth-highest (.500, 2 of 4) coaches challenge overturn rate.

-Vinovich is tied for the fourth-lowest (.500, 2 of 4) booth review challenge overturn rate.

-Vinovich is a CPA away from the NFL.

-Vinovich is a veteran official of the CFL and Arena Football.

-From 2007-11, Vinovich was Ed Hochuli’s replay official as Vinovich could not referee due to a heart condition.

MISCELLANEOUS FACTS (13)

-The Cowboys are tied with the Cardinals, Packers, and Buccaneers for the fourth-most takeaways in the NFL with 14.

-The Broncos give up a score on 29.6% of their drives, the third-lowest in the NFL.

-The Broncos have the fewest missed tackles in the NFL with 31.

-Denver has dialed up the fourth-most blitzes in the NFL with 103.

-Opposing quarterbacks have generated an 82.7 passer rating against the Broncos defense, the fourth-lowest in the NFL.

-Opposing quarterbacks have generated an 87.8 passer rating against the Cowboys defense, the seventh-lowest in the league.

-Denver gives up 100.9 rushing yards per game, the ninth-fewest in the NFL.

-The Broncos defense is tied with the Saints and Vikings for the fewest red zone trips allowed with 16. Their 50% red zone conversion rate is the seventh-lowest in the league.

-The Cowboys are tied with the Steelers and Browns for the eighth-lowest red zone conversion rate at 55.6%.

-The Cowboys are 5-2 on Nov. 7:

  • 1965 — SF, 39-31 — W
  • 1971 — @CRD, 16-13 — W
  • 1976 — NYG, 9-3 — W
  • 1993 — NYG, 31-9 — W
  • 1994 — NYG, 38-10 — W
  • 2004 — @CIN, 3-26 — L
  • 2010 — @GB, 7-45 — L

-The Broncos are 4-2 on Nov. 7:

  • 1965 — SD, 21-35 — L
  • 1971 — DET, 20-24 — L
  • 1976 — TB, 48-13 — W
  • 1993 — @CLE, 29-14 — W
  • 1999 — @SD, 33-17 — W
  • 2004 — HTX, 31-13 — W

-The Cowboys have birthdays to celebrate on Nov. 7:

  • 1940 — Mike Clark, K, 1968-71, 1973
  • 1958 — Ron Fellows, CB, 1981-86
  • 1965 — Tim Jackson, CB, 1989
  • 1977 — Anthony Thomas, RB, 2005
  • 1994 — Taco Charlton, DE, 2017-19

-The Cowboys also have a death to remember. On Nov. 7, 2018, former fullback Walt Kowalczyk passed away. Kowalczyk played for the 1960 team and carried 50 times for 156 yards and a touchdown while also catching 14 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.

Do you think the Cowboys will be able to break the current six-game losing skid to Denver on Sunday? Share your predictions and favorite facts with Mark on Twitter @therealmarklane.

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