ENGLEWOOD – It’s not quite No. 1 versus No. 1 but it’s close.

Dallas is No. 1 in the NFL in total offense while Denver is No. 3 in total defense. But the Broncos talk often about having the best defense in the league.

“We say we’re the best. It’s time to go against the best,’’ said Denver defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.

With that in mind, Franklin-Myers likes the chances of the Broncos slowing down Dak Prescott and company in Sunday’s game at Empower Field at Mile High.

“If you ask me, I’m going to take us versus anybody,’’ Franklin-Myers said after Friday’s practice at Broncos Park. “No. 1 offense, man, we have respect for them dudes because they do everything well. But I think we do too. So good versus good. That’s what we want in the grand scheme of anything.”

The Cowboys (3-3-1) are led at quarterback by Prescott, who has thrown for 1,881 yards with 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He has spread the ball around to tight end Jake Ferguson, who has 51 catches for 334 yards and six touchdowns, and to receivers George Pickens, who has 36 grabs for 607 yards and six touchdowns and CeeDee Lamb, who has 21 receptions for 332 yards. Lamb returned last week after missing three games with a high ankle sprain, and has three 100-yard games this season.

The Cowboys also are adept on the ground. Javonte Williams, who played for the Broncos from 2021-24, is second in the NFL in rushing with 592 yards while averaging 5.3 per carry. With Denver last season, while two years removed from having suffered a serious knee injury, he ran for just 513 yards while averaging 3.7 per carry.

“They can attack you in every way,’’ Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen said. “They’ve got the running back, two great receivers and they also got the tight end. … (Prescott is) one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the league right now, so it’s going to be a challenge.”

At least the Broncos (5-2) have had plenty of impressive moments on defense. They lead the NFL with 34 sacks, putting them on pace to shatter the NFL record of 72 set by the Chicago Bears in 1984. Leading the way are outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, with eight and six, respectively.

The Cowboys, though, are tied with the Broncos for allowing the second-fewest sacks in the NFL at eight.

Put it all together and something has to give Sunday.

“It’s an important game for both teams,’’ said Broncos coach Sean Payton.

Safety Talanoa Hufanga called it a good test for Denver’s defense.

“It’s always a good opportunity just to compete against the (top-ranked offense),’’ he said. “You never want to go out there and play the worst team every time. You’re trying to get better, and it’s always a fun challenge, and that’s what we signed up for.”

Hufanga, who played the past four seasons with San Francisco, faced the Cowboys twice with the 49ers. He played in a 19-12 win in a divisional playoff in the 2022 season and a 42-10 win in Week 5 in 2023.

In the postseason game, Hufanga blew up a play that helped the 49ers hold on for the win. With San Francisco up 16-9 with 12:30 left in the game and the Cowboys having first-and-10 at the 49ers’ 27, Hufanga came in on a safety blitz and nearly had a sack. Prescott staggered away for what was called a run of minus-4 yards and Dallas soon had to settle for a field goal.

“(The Cowboys) have a great quarterback that can just get the ball anywhere,’’ Hufanga said. “For us, it’s about trying to get him off his platform and getting him down on the ground.”

Franklin-Myers, who has three sacks this season, agrees with that.

“They play with a lot of balance, so they’re never truly in a lot in drop-back situations (when passing is obvious),’’ Franklin-Myers said of the Cowboys’ lack of sacks allowed. “They’ve got a good offensive line and Dak does a good job of getting ball out. It means we have to put the extra work in because if you throw the ball you have a chance to be sacked and all we need is a chance.”

With Franklin-Myers saying the Broncos are putting in extra work, he likes the chances of the Broncos’ defense getting the better of the Cowboys’ offense.

“We want to be physical and we want to play with effort,’’ he said. “If we do that, I think we’ll like the outcome.”