Siemian, Broncos crush Elliott, Cowboys

The Associated Press ROUGH GAME: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Sunday in Denver. Elliott was held to 8 yards on nine carries, the worst performance of his career.
The Associated Press ROUGH GAME: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Sunday in Denver. Elliott was held to 8 yards on nine carries, the worst performance of his career.

DENVER -- Trevor Siemian tied a career high with four touchdown passes and the Denver Broncos held Ezekiel Elliott to the worst game of his career -- 8 yards on nine carries -- in a 42-17 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in a game that included an hour-long lightning delay.

Aqib Talib's 103-yard interception return for a touchdown with 53 seconds left was the final indignity for the Cowboys (1-1), who watched Von Miller end a career-long five-game sackless streak by dumping Dak Prescott twice.

The star in the backfield on this day was C.J. Anderson, who rushed for 118 yards and a score and also caught a TD pass for the Broncos, whose only big blemish in their fifth straight 2-0 start was the left leg injury to tackle Garett Bolles, their No. 1 draft pick who got hurt on the opening drive of the second half.

Two plays after Bolles was carted off, Siemian found Virgil Green for a 2-yard TD. Chris Harris Jr.'s interception set up Anderson's 22-yard touchdown run that made it 35-10.

The Cowboys pulled to 35-17 on Jason Witten's 28-yard catch that was set up by rookie Jourdan Lewis' interception when the receiver he was covering slipped.

The Cowboys looked nothing like the team that dominated the Giants in their opener. They were seeking their first win in Denver since 1992 and instead lost to the Broncos for the sixth straight time.

Siemian threw scoring strikes of 10 and 6 yards to Emmanuel Sanders as the Broncos built a 21-10 halftime lead.

The Cowboys were lucky to be that close after a first half in which they managed just five first downs, converted one third down and were outgained 246 yards to 97.

The only touchdown for Dallas came on a 3-yard drive after DeMarcus Lawrence's strip sack of Siemian after beating right tackle Menelik Watson, who also had a tough night in Denver's opening win against the Chargers.

Patriots 36, Saints 20

NEW ORLEANS -- Bouncing back with a vengeance from a season-opening loss, Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes in the first quarter for the first time in his career and eclipsed 300 yards passing in the first half for only the second time.

Brady's maiden Super Bowl triumph in the Superdome back in February 2002 is bound to be one of his fondest memories. But the 18-year veteran looked like a superior QB in his latest visit. He finished 30 of 39 for 447 yards without an interception -- at least not one that counted. Saints defenders caught Brady's passes twice, but both plays were wiped out by New Orleans penalties.

Brady joined Warren Moon as the only QBs age 40 or older to pass for at least 400 yards and three TDs in a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Rob Gronkowski had a 53-yard catch and run to highlight his six-catch, 116-yard performance, but left the game in the second half with a groin injury.

Sports on 09/18/2017

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