The Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback, Dak Prescott, returns to Mile High for the first time since that crushing 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos. He knows this matchup could turn into a gritty battle, with the Cowboys’ elite offense set to clash against Denver’s formidable defense. But the QB isn’t backing down.

“We’ve gotta go into this game looking to win dirty,” Prescott told the reporters.

It’s understandable, given what’s at stake. The Broncos and the Buffalo Bills remain the only two teams Prescott has yet to beat. In his two previous matchups against the Broncos, he’s averaged 235 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1.5 interceptions, with the last game in 2021.

It’s a big redemption moment for the Cowboys as well. The team carries an embarrassing streak of seven straight losses to the Broncos. This is their second-worst, behind only eight straight defeats against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys haven’t beaten Denver since 1995. That’s nearly three decades without a win. So, there’s plenty on the line, and a drought the Cowboys hope to end and a record the Broncos will look to extend.

Interestingly, for Week 8, the QB will once again face defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who was the head coach for the Broncos back in 2017. But by now, both the QB and the Cowboys’ offense have evolved. And the Broncos’ DC is well aware of what’s coming for them.

Prescott is having one of his best years, 2nd in passing yards (1,881), second in passing touchdowns (16), and first in QBR (81.2). And as for facing the Cowboys’ kryptonite, Prescott is prepared for the game.

“It’s what you play the game for,” Prescott said of the game. “Regardless if we were both first or not, it’s what you play the game from. Elite competition, an amazing environment where the fans are going to be loud. Our communication is going to be tested, the non-verbal part of it. Yeah, super excited. It’ll be a great one.”

With running back Javonte Williams, tight end Jake Ferguson, wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the offense is quite strong. However, the Broncos aren’t unprepared either.

Patrick Surtain declared that the Broncos are up for the challenge

Denver’s cornerback Patrick Surtain spoke highly of the Cowboys’ offense that the team will be facing in Week 8. He praised their strength in the running game and passes. And it seemed that the player had studied the WRs and the QB’s game very well, especially Lamb and Pickens, who have been phenomenal this season. But the Broncos’ CB is ready for the challenge.

“They’re pretty efficient,” Surtain said. “They nearly lead the league in all the passing numbers, and they can run it, too. It’s going to be a great challenge, but this is what we live for as competitors.”

The Broncos allowed only 273.1 yards and 18.1 points per game. They currently lead the league with 34 sacks and have limited their opponents to just 29.2% on third downs and under 38% in the red zone. So, the Broncos’ defense won’t make it an easy game.

Another player who can be a trouble for the Cowboys in sacks is edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who is well aware of what an in-form Prescott can do.

“He’s [Prescott] a guy who can make a lot of things happen in the pocket,” Bonitto said. “We’ve got to make life easy for the DBs this week.”

He will have help from outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper as they will look to pressure the QB more in the game. Now, both teams are eager and fully aware of the challenge ahead, and it now comes down to which of the best will prevail in this game.

Do you think the Cowboys will break their historic losing streak this time?