Each week, DallasCowboys.com will break out five key stats from the NFL's list of league leaders. This week, the Cowboys face a quarterback who leads the NFL in five prominent stat categories.
Cowboys:
- Tony Romo is the NFL's fourth-rated passer with a 105.0 quarterback rating, just behind Aaron Rodgers (105.1) .Romo is third in the league in completion percentage at 72.4 percent. However, Romo does rank 21st in the NFL in average per gain at 6.68 yards. For his career, Romo has typically been around 7.8 yards per attempt.
- DeMarco Murray is currently the third-leading rusher in the NFL with 356 yards (89.0 ypg). Murray is also third in the league with 492 yards from scrimmage, trailing only LeSean McCoy (608) and Jamaal Charles (502).
- The Cowboys do not have a receiver in the Top 15 in the NFL in catches, but have three in the top 32, led by Dez Bryant's 23 grabs. Jason Witten and Murray both have 21. Witten's 21 catches rank fifth among NFL tight ends this year.
- The Cowboys rank dead last in the NFL in first-down plays by opponents. The defense is allowing 7.28 yards per first-down play.
- Dwayne Harris had a big punt return in Sunday's loss to the Chargers, propelling him to the NFC lead with a 13.3 yard average. He ranks fourth overall in the NFL.
Broncos:
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- Peyton Manning ranks first in the NFL in completions (117), percentage (75.0), passing yards (1,470), touchdown passes (16) and he's yet to throw an interception. He's also the leader in quarterback rating with 138.0.
- The Broncos are first in the NFL in total offense at 483.0 yards per game. The Broncos also lead the NFL in passing yards at 363.8 yards per game.
- The Broncos are especially good on first down, averaging 6.49 yards on 142 first downs. Conversely, the Cowboys are last in the NFL, allowing 7.28 on first down.
- Trindon Holliday is the only player in the NFL with a touchdown on both punt and kickoff. Last week, Holliday went 105 yards against the Eagles. He also had an 81-yarder against the NY Giants.
- The Broncos are first in the NFL against the run, yielding just 74.0 yards per game. However, the Broncos have held big second-half leads in every game, which is why they rank 30th in the NFL in pass defense (316.3 passing yards per game).
