IRVING, Texas - The Denver Broncos have allowed a league-low 16 points in their first three games. The combined 3-6 record of those three opponents - Cleveland, Oakland and Cincinnati - suggests their defensive success could be misleading.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips believes the Broncos' top defensive ranking (214.7 yards per game) is no fluke, and for good reason: He and Broncos first-year defensive coordinator Mike Nolan coached together in Denver from 1989-92. Phillips was the defensive coordinator then, Nolan the linebackers coach.
Nolan has re-installed a 3-4 front in Denver, and the results have been impressive. The Broncos have 10 sacks and a plus-6 turnover ratio. They've only allowed 408 total passing yards, an average of 136.3.
"Their scheme is good," Phillips said. "I think them going to a 3-4 fit their people a lot better. They've got a good rush, good coverage and they play the run well. I don't see any weaknesses in their defense."
It's up to quarterback Tony Romo to find one.
The Cowboys will counter with the league's versatile third-ranked offense (429.7). Romo shredded Tampa Bay for a career-high 353 yards in the season opener. His next two opponents (the Giants and Panthers) played more conservative in coverage, and the Cowboys rushed for at least 200 yards back-to-back for the first time in 30 years.
The Cowboys held joint practices and a subsequent preseason game with Denver last August, but Romo said its defense is "immensely different" under Nolan.
"They're a little like the Ravens in some ways in the stuff that they do, and I think that's been big reason why their team is off to the start they are," Romo said. "They do a little bit of everything - fronts, coverages. They want to disguise a lot of things to get someone to have one mistake and then they can get you.
"It'll be a challenge for us. There's a reason they're No. 1 in the league right now."
Adams Rests
The Cowboys held left tackle Flozell Adams out of Thursday's practice as a precaution, but Phillips said Adams should practice Friday and play Sunday despite hurting his shoulder in the third quarter against Carolina.
Adams finished the game and had full participation Wednesday.
"He's got a little bit of a shoulder issue," Phillips said, "but it's something that we feel like he'll play with."
Dawkins Still A Difference-Maker
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has faced safety Brian Dawkins twice a year since 2003. Dawkins, long considered the Eagles' emotional leader on defense, has had a positive effect on the Broncos' unit in his 14th NFL season.
"He's still the same player, the tenacity that he plays with," Witten said of Dawkins, who has 20 tackles and two pass breakups in three games. "It's amazing to me how much he brings to that defense and how much everything kind of feeds off of him. Even in Year 13 or whatever it is for him, he still plays at a really high level."
Williams Ready
Cowboys rookie linebacker Jason Williams (ankle) practiced fully again Thursday and said he's ready to return Sunday, even if it's only on special teams.
Williams missed the first three regular-season games with a high ankle sprain suffered Aug. 29 against San Francisco.
"I had no idea what it was (at the time)," he said. "I knew it was an ankle sprain, but I didn't know how severe it was. I'd never felt one that painful. When they told me it was high ankle I got kind of nervous because I've always heard how bad high ankle sprains can be. I was just kind of hoping that I would be back sooner rather than later."
Williams credited the Cowboys' medical and training staff for helping him return ahead of the original four-to-six week prognosis.
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Rob Phillips - 
