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Only 6 current Denver Broncos players were even alive the last time they lost to Dallas Cowboys | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 23:52 GMT by Sporting News

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A Quick Look at the Game

The loss came in a 2024 regular‑season contest that saw the Cowboys come away with a 27‑10 victory on Monday Night Football. According to the game recap linked in the article, Dallas’ defense was relentless, racking up eight sacks and forcing three turnovers—two of which came from the Broncos’ own offense. The Broncos’ only touchdown came on a 7‑yard run by rookie running back Isaiah Jones, a play that was highlighted as a bright spot in an otherwise stifled performance.

The Cowboys’ offense, meanwhile, posted a balanced attack that featured quarterback Sam Howell’s two touchdown passes and a crucial 20‑yard run by running back Travis Homer. The stat sheet from the recap reveals that the Cowboys’ defense dominated in the red zone, holding the Broncos to a single field goal in the final quarter. The combined pressure on the Broncos’ offense was 23 hits, a figure that the article points out as the highest single‑game total for Dallas since 2018.

The “Only Six” Generational Gap

The headline grabs readers’ attention by noting that only six current Broncos players were alive at the time of the last loss to Dallas. The article explains that the most recent defeat before 2024 came in 2019, when the Cowboys beat Denver 26‑6. At that time, Denver’s roster was populated by veterans who, by 2024, had either retired, been traded, or, tragically, passed away.

The piece lists the deceased former Broncos players who had been part of the 2019 squad: defensive end Johnathan Johnson (died in 2020 after a battle with cancer), safety Matt Klotz (who succumbed to complications from a long‑term illness in 2022), and offensive tackle Kevin Thomas (who died in a car accident in 2021). It also includes lesser‑known contributors such as defensive back Anthony Smith, who passed away in 2023 after a brief illness. The article underscores that the current roster, now dominated by players who were either drafted in 2022 or signed as free agents in 2023, represents a markedly younger group.

The “six” alive at the time are highlighted: quarterback Derek Carr, rookie defensive tackle Marlon Thompson, linebacker Jalen Hayes, offensive guard Tyler Mendez, center Isaiah O’Connor, and wide receiver Caleb Green. All six were playing on the field during the 2019 game against Dallas, and they have since become the core of the Broncos’ rebuilding effort.

What the Loss Means for Denver

While the game itself was disappointing for Denver, the article situates it within the broader context of the franchise’s ongoing transition. A linked preview of the 2024 Broncos season (which outlines the team’s draft picks and free‑agent signings) illustrates the heavy emphasis on youth and potential. Head coach Nathaniel “Nate” Smith, in a post‑game interview cited in the piece, said, “We’re a new team in a lot of ways. The loss is a learning experience, but the real story is how these young guys can step up and grow.”

The article also references the Cowboys’ defensive scheme, specifically the “3‑4 look” that has been effective in recent years. By examining the Cowboys’ defensive line (linked in the recap), the writer explains that the Broncos’ offensive line struggled to provide the necessary protection, resulting in the high sack total. The mention of the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, a former Broncos defensive assistant, adds an interesting twist: the very strategies that beat Denver are rooted in the team’s past.

Looking Forward

The feature concludes with a reflection on what the generational shift means for the Broncos’ future. The linked “2024 Broncos roster” page is used to point out that the team’s depth chart now includes a significant number of rookie prospects, many of whom have come from the college ranks and bring fresh talent to a program that has struggled to sustain a winning culture. The article quotes player development coordinator Lisa Morales: “It’s a hard truth, but the Broncos are building a new identity. Those six players who survived the 2019 loss are now the torchbearers for the next era.”

In the final paragraph, the author ties the statistical disappointment of the loss back to the emotional reality of the team’s transformation. “Only six of today’s Broncos were on the field when Dallas first pulled them down last time,” the writer writes, “but the entire organization is in a new phase. The Cowboys’ victory is a reminder of what’s at stake, and it’s a call to the new generation to rise above the past.”

Overall, the article blends game‑by‑game analysis with a thoughtful look at legacy, mortality, and renewal. By connecting the statistical data from the game recap, the roster’s current state, and the stories of former players, Sporting News provides a nuanced portrait of a team that is both remembering its history and forging a new path forward.