Broncos 4-0 (wow!!)

A daunting schedule released in April that includes eight of the past nine Super Bowl champions, doesn't look so horrible. The Broncos overcame a sluggish first half and rallied to beat the Dallas Cowboys 17-10 Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High.

The victory kept the Broncos (4-0) in the same unbeaten ranks as the Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints as winners the first four weeks. The Minnesota Vikings (3-0) host Green Bay on Monday night. Two other unbeatens -- Baltimore and the New York Jets -- lost for the first time today.

The Broncos defense again proved as stifling against the NFL's top rushing team as it did in Denver's first three games.

Denver held Dallas to just 74 yards rushing and stopped the Cowboys on a fourth-and-goal from the Denver 2 when Tony Romo's pass was batted down by Champ Bailey.

Denver never led until Kyle Orton connected with a cross-field throw that Brandon Marshall plucked over the reach of Dallas cornerback Terrance Newman. Marshall then cut toward the middle of the field before reversing to the right and avoiding several Cowboys tacklers before scoring on a 49-yard jaunt with 1:46 left.

The Broncos' next four games are Sunday at home against New England, then Oct. 19 at San Diego, Nov. 1 at Baltimore and Nov. 9 against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers....(ouch!).

But Sunday the Broncos' defense proved they are for real. Especially on Dallas' last drive to try to tie the score. Romo escaped from the Broncos' defensive pressure on fourth and 3 at the Dallas 27 to complete a 53-yard pass to Sam Hurd to the Broncos' 20. Only a Brian Dawkins tackle saved the tying touchdown.

Dallas moved the ball to the 2 (and honestly I thought we would cave). After Romo downed the ball to stop the clock, Denver denied two passes into the end zone by Romo, the last swatted away by Bailey.  The Denver defense responded time after time and kept the score close when the Broncos' offense sputtered in the first half. Denver, which finished with 337 yards, had just 104 yards in the first half. Dallas had 184 yards in the first half, but had only 132 total yards in the second half.

The Broncos defense must have heard Troy Aikman before Dallas' final drive. The former Cowboys quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer said, "I don't know if (the Broncos) are a great defense; maybe they are. But I do know that great defenses close people out, and here is their opportunity"

Now, even with a daunting schedule ahead, the Broncos have an opportunity to surprise even more NFL experts if they can continue to stay unbeaten. We are still unbeaten...so please shut the hell up and let me enjoy this for awhile!

Remaining Schedule

5 Sun Oct.11 VS. NEW ENGLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
6 Mon Oct.19 at San Diego Qualcomm Stadium
7 BYE WEEK
8 Sun Nov. 1 at Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium
9 Mon Nov. 9 VS. PITTSBURGH INVESCO Field at Mile High
10 Sun Nov.15 at Washington FedEx Field
11 Sun Nov.22 VS. SAN DIEGO INVESCO Field at Mile High
12 Thu Nov.26 VS. NEW YORK INVESCO Field at Mile High
13 Sun Dec. 6 at Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium
14 Sun Dec.13 at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium
15 Sun Dec.20 VS. OAKLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
16 Sun Dec.27 at Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field
17 Sun Jan. 3 VS. KANSAS CITY INVESCO Field at Mile High