DENVER, CO — The Dallas Cowboys secured their first win of the season with a 27-17 victory over the Denver Broncos in a game that showcased balance on offense and tenacity on defense. The Cowboys, entering the contest at 0-2, needed a spark, and rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders and running back Deuce Vaughn delivered just that.

The game, which started with a 3-3 deadlock in the first quarter, saw the Cowboys take control in the second quarter before Denver attempted a late comeback. Vaughn, leading the ground game, tallied 50 yards on 10 carries, including a crucial touchdown. Sanders was composed under center, completing 18 of 25 passes for 212 yards, with no interceptions, and a 97.4 passer rating.

After struggling to score in the first two weeks of the season, the Cowboys finally found the end zone—Vaughn’s rushing touchdown marking their first of the year. Wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper led the way in the passing game with 52 yards on three catches, while Jake Ferguson added 51 yards on five receptions.

The Cowboys’ defense also made its presence known, limiting Denver to just 89 rushing yards and 204 passing yards. Damone Clark spearheaded the defense with 10 total tackles, including one for a loss, and Dallas forced Denver to convert only 5 of 13 third-down attempts.

“I’m proud of the way we executed tonight,” head coach Mike McCarthy said after the game. “It took everything we had, but we found a way to finish. Shedeur played poised, and Deuce ran with confidence. We have a lot to build on from here.”

Despite Sanders’ efficiency through the air and Vaughn’s solid ground performance, the Cowboys still had areas of concern—managing only 287 total yards to Denver’s 352. Vaughn remained optimistic, saying, “It felt great to get into the end zone. I just wanted to come out aggressive, and we did that. Now, it’s about keeping this energy going forward.”

The Cowboys, now sitting at 1-2, hope to carry the momentum from their first win into the coming weeks. This road victory offers a glimpse of what the team is capable of when both offense and defense come together. As they move forward, the focus will be on consistency—something that eluded them in the opening weeks of the season.

With Sanders settling in as the starting quarterback and the team rallying behind their young talent, the Cowboys have a foundation to build on.