Aug 17, 2008 - 12:28 AM
0 shoutsTony Desiere PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
DENVER (Ticker) -- It looks like Jay Cutler may have another favorite target in the Denver Broncos passing game.
After throwing most of his passes last season to Brandon Marshall, Cutler hooked up on two big pass plays to rookie Eddie Royal as the Broncos beat the Dallas Cowboys, 23-13, on a rainy Saturday night at Invesco Field.
Cutler was brilliant, completing 16-of-20 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. He effectively led the Broncos on back-to-back touchdown drives to open the game, completing his first 12 passes. He was replaced at halftime by backup Patrick Ramsey.
Royal, the second-round pick out of Virginia Tech finished with 67 yards, catching passes of 35 and 32 yards. Marshall finished with six catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Dallas starting quarterback Tony Romo was 6-for-9 for 33 yards before being replaced by backup Brad Johnson midway through the second quarter. Wide receiver Terrell Owens had three catches for 20 yards.
Cowboys running back Marion Barber had five carries for 22 yards. Rookie Felix Jones added 17 yards on three carries.
Johnson led the Cowboys on two scoring drives, tossing a touchdown pass to Miles Austin. Johnson was 9-for-12 for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Broncos kicker Matt Prater, who has the tough task of replacing Jason Elam, hit 3-of-4 field goals, missing a 49- yard attempt at the end of the half. He hit a 43-yard field goal on Denver's final possession.
Penalties were a major problem for both teams, especially for the Cowboys. They had nine penalties for 78 yards in the game, including two unnecessary roughness calls.
From the Bleachers
-
DALLAS: 13
DENVER: 23
Final
Aug 17 12:05 AM -
NFL
FG DEN
MATT PRATER 43 YD
DALLAS 13
DENVER 23 0:43 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Aug 17 12:03 AM -
NFL
FG DAL
NICHOLAS FOLK 29 YD
DALLAS 13
DENVER 20 7:57 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Aug 16 11:39 PM -
NFL
FG DEN
MATT PRATER 19 YD
DALLAS 10
DENVER 20 11:57 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Aug 16 11:32 PM -
DALLAS: 10
DENVER: 17
End of 3rd
Aug 16 11:21 PM -
NFL
FG DEN
MATT PRATER 29 YD
DALLAS 10
DENVER 17 6:18 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Aug 16 11:02 PM -
NFL
FG DAL
NICHOLAS FOLK 42 YD
DALLAS 10
DENVER 14 10:31 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Aug 16 10:50 PM -
DALLAS: 7
DENVER: 14
Halftime
Aug 16 10:31 PM -
NFL
TD DAL
MILES AUSTIN 5 YD PASS FROM BRAD JOHNSON
(NICHOLAS FOLK KICK)
DALLAS 7
DENVER 14 1:37 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Aug 16 10:22 PM -
NFL
TD DEN
BRANDON MARSHALL 3 YD PASS FROM JAY CUTLER
(MATT PRATER KICK)
DALLAS 0
DENVER 14 12:56 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Aug 16 9:46 PM -
DALLAS: 0
DENVER: 7
End of 1st
Aug 16 9:41 PM -
NFL
TD DEN
ANDRE HALL 1 YD RUN
(MATT PRATER KICK)
DALLAS 0
DENVER 7 9:43 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Aug 16 9:17 PM
