Head coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys' penalties against the Broncos on Saturday night "clearly are way too much."

Tyler Smith's debut had some hot and cold moments, but Nick Eatman writes that it's time to give him all the reps.

There were plenty of topics to cover Saturday night in Denver. Here's what stood out the most to the staff writers.

The Cowboys open the 2022 preseason with more penalties than points in a 17-7 loss to the Broncos.

The Cowboys are keeping more than 20 players out for Saturday's game with the Broncos, mostly for precautionary reasons. To no surprise, Pro Bowl players such as Dak, Parsons, Diggs, Tyron Smith and Zack Martin headline the list.

While most of the big-name players won't be in action Saturday night, that still leaves us with plenty of guys to evaluate. Here are the 8 guys we'll be watching closely.

Watch the Dallas Cowboys' top plays vs. Denver Broncos during Preseason Week 1.

Watch highlights from the Preseason Week 1 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci shifts in the pocket before finding wide receiver Simi Fehoko for a 12-yard touchdown.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci's flick-of-the-wrist pass finds wide receiver Brandon Smith for 40 yards.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dennis Houston finds a gap in the Denver Broncos' defense for a 18-yard gain.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Tarell Basham reads play perfectly with instant tackle for loss.

QB Dak Prescott and WR Michael Gallup warm up prior to the start of #DALvsDEN.

RB Ezekiel Elliott get the fans hype before the start of #DALvsDEN.

WR KaVontae Turpin warms up before the start of #DALvsDEN.

WR Jalen Tolbert warms up before the start of #DALvsDEN.

CB DeRon Bland warms up before the start of #DALvsDEN.

Game Ready? #DALvsDEN.

The best views from the Dallas Cowboys preseason game vs the Denver Broncos, Saturday August 13th at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.

News and notes from Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

Views of the preseason matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

Views of pregame before the preseason matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

Views from the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos joint practice at the UCHealth Training Center in Denver, CO.

While most of the big-name players won't be in action Saturday night, that still leaves us with plenty of guys to evaluate. Here are the 8 guys we'll be watching closely.

Views of the Dallas Cowboys as they travel to Denver, CO for joint training camp practice and a preseason match up with the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.