2013 Denver Broncos–Dallas Cowboys game

On October 6, 2013, during Week 5 of the 2013 NFL season, the Denver Broncos defeated the Dallas Cowboys 51–48 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game was notable for its offensive explosion, as the teams combined for 99 points, with Denver prevailing on a last-second field goal by Matt Prater. It remains one of the highest-scoring non-overtime games in NFL history and featured career performances by quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tony Romo.

Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys (2013)

The game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Denver Broncos (AFC West) (4–0) Dallas Cowboys (NFC East) (2–2) 51 48
1 2 3 4 Total DEN 7 21 10 13 51 DAL 14 6 13 15 48
Date	October 6, 2013
Stadium	AT&T Stadium Arlington, Texas
Favorite	Broncos by 7.5[1]
Attendance	91,928
TV in the United States
Network	CBS
Announcers	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, and Tracy Wolfson

Background

The Broncos, coming off a dominant 52–20 home victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, entered the game at 4–0, led by veteran quarterback Peyton Manning, who had thrown 16 touchdown passes without an interception through the first four weeks, including 7 touchdown passes, tying an NFL record with several quarterbacks, in Week 1 against the defending Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the Mile High Miracle. Manning, in his second year with the Broncos, was playing the Cowboys for the first time since 2010, and playing at Dallas for the first time since 2006. Broncos star linebacker Von Miller was inactive for this game as he was serving a 6-game suspension, and was not eligible to play until Week 7 at the Indianapolis Colts.^[2][3]

The Cowboys, at 2–2 and coming off a 30–21 road loss to the San Diego Chargers, were atop the NFC East. Including this game, quarterback Tony Romo only played the Broncos twice over his 13-year career, the first being a 17–10 loss in Denver in 2009. This was the second of Dallas' three games in 2013 against a Manning brother under center, as in Week 1, Eli Manning recorded 450 yards and 4 touchdowns, however threw 3 interceptions in a 36–31 Cowboys' victory over their division rival New York Giants, who the Broncos defeated 41–23 at Metlife Stadium in Week 2 in the third and final Manning Bowl, all three won by Peyton's team.

Oddsmakers installed Denver as a 7.5-point road favorite.^[4] The matchup drew significant national attention and was broadcast as CBS’s "Game of the Week."

Game summary

First half

The game was a shootout from opening kickoff to the final whistle. Dallas opened with a 14–0 lead, behind a 2-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant and a 4-yard run by DeMarco Murray. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning then responded with multiple touchdown drives of his own, a 4-yard shovel pass to Julius Thomas, who was in the midst of a breakout season, as well as a 2-yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker, who had lost a fumble earlier in the first half, which led to the Murray score. A takeaway by safety Duke Ihenacho, who recovered a Bryant fumble forced by rookie cornerback Kayvon Webster, would set up another Manning to Julius Thomas touchdown from 9 yards out.

With under a minute left before halftime, the Broncos faced a 3rd & goal at the Cowboys' 1-yard line, leading 21–17, where Manning faked a hand-off to Knowshon Moreno on a bootleg play and ran it himself untouched into the endzone near the left pylon, to give Denver a 28–17 lead with 46 seconds left in the half. Manning, known throughout his career as a stationary pocket passer, scored his first rushing touchdown since 2008 on the play. The run surprised both viewers and players, including Cowboys defensive end and future Bronco DeMarcus Ware, and even the CBS broadcast camera initially followed Moreno, before redirecting to Manning. Play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz remarked, “Peyton still has the football — can you believe it, Peyton Manning runs it in for the touchdown!” After Dallas managed to drive and set up Dan Bailey for a 48-yard field goal just before intermission, the teams went into halftime at 28–20 in favor of the visitors.

Second half

In the third quarter, Manning threw a 2-yard pass to Wes Welker, which was Welker's first catch of the game, to increase the Broncos' lead to 35–20, before Romo threw two more touchdown passes, including an 82-yarder to Terrance Williams, who broke away from Tony Carter and outran Ihenacho. After going through the first four weeks of the season without throwing a single interception, late in the third quarter, Manning threw his first pick of the season to Morris Claiborne, on a deep pass intended for Decker, keeping the game at a 38–33 Denver advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Just over one minute into the final quarter, coming off of the Claibourne takeaway, Romo found decorated tight-end Jason Witten for a ten-yard touchdown, and a subsequent successful two-point conversion with Williams gave Dallas their first lead since the second quarter, at 41–38. Following a 50-yard field goal by Denver's Matt Prater to knot it up at 41, on a 3rd & 6, Romo connected with Bryant, who beat Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for 78-yards to set up a 1st & goal, in which the Cowboys immediately capitalized off of with a 4-yard touchdown via a screen pass to Cole Beasley, giving Dallas a 48–41 edge with 7:19 remaining in regulation. At the start of Denver's ensuing drive, color commentator and former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms said "You know, I feel like I'm doing a Saturday afternoon college football game with all this scoring." The Broncos responded by executing a 73-yard drive lasting just under five minutes, ending in a 1-yard Moreno touchdown run, to tie the contest at 48 with 2:39 to go in the fourth. After Romo was sacked by Shaun Phillips, Dallas faced a 2nd & 16 as the final play before the two-minute warning and the game tied at 48, where Romo was intercepted by Denver linebacker Danny Trevathan at the Cowboys’ 24-yard line, on a pass intended for Gavin Escobar. Manning and the Broncos subsequently drained the clock before Matt Prater kicked the game-winning 28-yard field goal as time expired.

Denver ultimately emerged victorious 51–48 to improve to 5–0, while Dallas fell to 2–3, with both teams combining for 1,039 total yards of offense.

Manning ended the afternoon with 414 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown and 1 interception in the win, while Romo compiled 506 passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns and 1 interception in the losing effort.

Box score

Week Five: Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	21	10	13	51
Cowboys	14	6	13	15	48

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

• Date: October 6, 2013
• Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT/2:25 pm. MDT
• Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
• Game attendance: 92,758
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
• Recap, Gamebook

Game information

First quarter DAL – Dez Bryant 2–yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 8:06. Cowboys 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 6:54. DAL – DeMarco Murray 4–yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 3:18. Cowboys 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:35. DEN – Julius Thomas 4–yard pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 2:28. Cowboys 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:50. Second quarter DAL – Dan Bailey 43–yard field goal, 12:14. Cowboys 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 5:14. DEN – Eric Decker 2–yard pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 9:06. Cowboys 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:08. DEN – Julius Thomas 9–yard pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 5:22. Broncos 21–17. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 3:27. DEN – Peyton Manning 1–yard run (Matt Prater kick), 0:46. Broncos 28–17. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 2:24. DAL – Dan Bailey 48–yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 28–20. Drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 0:46. Third quarter DEN – Wes Welker 2–yard pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 8:03. Broncos 35–20. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 6:57. DAL – Terrance Williams 82–yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 7:08. Broncos 35–27. Drive: 2 plays, 83 yards, 0:55. DEN – Matt Prater 48–yard field goal, 3:23. Broncos 38–27. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 3:45. DAL – Dez Bryant 2–yard pass from Tony Romo (run failed), 0:14. Broncos 38–33. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:09. Fourth quarter DAL – Jason Witten 10–yard pass from Tony Romo (Tony Romo–Terrance Williams pass), 13:38. Cowboys 41–38. Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 1:24. DEN – Matt Prater 50–yard field goal, 9:37. Tied 41–41. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 1:24. DAL – Cole Beasley 4–yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 7:19. Cowboys 48–41. Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards, 2:18. DEN – Knowshon Moreno 1–yard run (Matt Prater kick), 2:39. Tied 48–48. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 4:40. DEN – Matt Prater 28–yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 51–48. Drive: 8 plays, 14 yards, 1:57. Top passers DEN – Peyton Manning – 33/42, 414 yards, 4 TD, INT DAL – Tony Romo – 25/36, 506 yards, 5 TD, INT Top rushers DEN – Knowshon Moreno – 19 rushes, 93 yards, TD DAL – DeMarco Murray – 12 rushes, 43 yards, TD Top receivers DEN – Julius Thomas – 9 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD DAL – Terrance Williams – 4 receptions, 151 yards, TD

Scoring summary

First quarter

• DAL – Dez Bryant 2-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 8:06, DAL 7–0
• DAL – DeMarco Murray 4-yard run (Bailey kick), 3:18, DAL 14–0
• DEN – Julius Thomas 4-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 2:28, DAL 14–7

Second quarter

• DAL – Bailey 43-yard field goal, 12:14, DAL 17–7
• DEN – Eric Decker 2-yard pass from Manning (Prater kick), 9:06, DAL 17–14
• DEN – J. Thomas 9-yard pass from Manning (Prater kick), 5:22, DEN 21–17
• DEN – Manning 1-yard run, 0:46, DEN 28–17
• DAL – Bailey 48-yard field goal, DEN 28–20

Third quarter

• DEN – Wes Welker 2-yard pass from Manning (Prater kick), 8:03, DEN 35–20
• DAL – Terrance Williams 82-yard pass from Romo (Bailey kick), 7:08, DEN 35–27
• DEN – Prater 48-yard field goal, 3:23, DEN 38–27
• DAL – Bryant 2-yard pass from Romo (2-point, no good), 0:14, DAL 38–33

Fourth quarter

• DAL – Jason Witten 10-yard pass from Romo (Romo pass to Williams), 14:33, DEN 41–38
• DEN – Prater 50-yard field goal, 9:37, Tied 41–41
• DAL – Cole Beasley 4-yard pass from Romo (Bailey kick), 7:19, DAL 48–41
• DEN – Knowshon Moreno 1-yard run, 2:39, Tied 48–48
• DEN – Prater 28-yard field goal, 0:00, DEN wins 51–48

Aftermath

The following week, the Denver would defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars at home 35–19, to remain unbeaten and improve to 6–0.^[5] However, the Broncos would suffer their first defeat a week later on the road at the hands of Peyton Manning’s former team on Sunday Night Football, in a 39–33 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.^[6] Denver would end the season at 13–3 and secure the top seed in the AFC, both for the second consecutive season.

The game was part of a historic offensive season for the Broncos. Denver finished 2013 with 606 total points, which remains the highest single-season scoring total in league history, and quarterback Peyton Manning won his fifth and final MVP after setting single-season records with 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdown passes.^[7][8][9] The Broncos scored 50 or more points in three games (including this one), the same number of times they were held under 30 points.^[10]

Denver went on to defeat the San Diego Chargers 24–17 in the AFC Divisional Round and the New England Patriots 26–16 in the AFC Championship Game to be crowned AFC Champions for the first time since John Elway's final season in 1998, the seventh occurrence of such in franchise history.^[11] However, the Broncos would lose to the Seattle Seahawks 43–8 in Super Bowl XLVIII.^[12]

For Dallas, the loss foreshadowed a season of heartbreak. Three weeks later, the Cowboys lost 31–30 to the Detroit Lions after surrendering a late touchdown drive by Matthew Stafford, capped off by Stafford's 1-yard touchdown run on an acrobatic quarterback sneak.^[13][14] Later in December, Dallas infamously squandered a 26–3 halftime lead against backup quarterback Matt Flynn and the Green Bay Packers (with Aaron Rodgers sidelined due to a broken collarbone), ultimately losing 37–36.^[15] Quarterback Tony Romo suffered a season-ending back injury in Week 16 against the Washington Redskins,^[16] forcing backup Kyle Orton to start the NFC East–deciding Week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas lost 24–22 after Orton was intercepted by Bradley Fletcher in the final two minutes, similarly to Danny Trevathan's interception, as Dallas missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season, finishing with a regular season record of 8–8 for the third consecutive year.^[17]

The following offseason, longtime Cowboys defensive end and linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who spent his entire nine-year career up to that point in Dallas, signed with the Broncos, where he played 3 seasons and with whom he would win Super Bowl 50 with in the 2015 season. In this 2013 game, Ware recorded six total tackles, including one tackle for loss.

As part of the NFL's four-year intra-conference matchup rotation, the two teams did not meet again until September 17, 2017, after Manning and Romo both retired, with Denver winning at home in dominant fashion 42–17, in a one-sided duel between Trevor Siemian and Dak Prescott, and did not meet again in Dallas until November 7, 2021, for a 30–16 Broncos victory.^[18][19][20]

See also

• Miracle at the New Meadowlands (December 2010)
• 2013 Minnesota Vikings–Baltimore Ravens game (December 2013)
• 2015 New York Giants–New Orleans Saints game (November 2015)
• Miracle in Motown (December 2015)
• 2018 Kansas City Chiefs–Los Angeles Rams game (November 2018)
• 2022 Indianapolis Colts–Minnesota Vikings game (December 2022)