ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — It’s a good bet that some of the players who’ll be asked to turn in their playbooks in Denver will be scooped up by other teams this weekend.

The roles were reversed not long ago and the Broncos were the ones scouring the waiver wire to plug holes in their roster.

Then, GM John Elway lured Peyton Manning to Denver in 2012, and together they’ve helped attract several other notable free agents. This year’s class includes DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, Marvin Austin and Emmanuel Sanders.

The AFC champs have reached that enviable point in which scores of scouts attend their preseason games to scope out players on the Broncos’ bubble.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brock Osweiler led four scoring drives in the final tuneup for his third season as Peyton Manning’s backup, and the Denver Broncos beat Dallas 27-3 Thursday night.

The loss gave the Cowboys their fifth winless preseason in franchise history.

With Manning and Dallas’ Tony Romo watching in uniform from the sidelines, Osweiler played an efficient three quarters, directing three possessions that ended in rushing touchdowns.

Romo’s backup Brandon Weeden came out before halftime of his second ragged game in four preseason outings. He threw an interception that led to Denver’s first touchdown.

The Cowboys (0-4) missed the playoffs three of the other four times they didn’t win in the preseason.

Kapri Bibbs rushed for two second-half scores for the Broncos (3-1).

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have parted ways with 11 players, including nine-year veteran tackle Winston Justice and undrafted rookie running back Brennan Clay of Oklahoma.

Sunday’s moves reduced Denver’s roster to 77 players with two more cuts necessary by Tuesday afternoon.

Among those waived was Chase Vaughn, a 25-year-old defensive end who was playing in his fifth professional league after being signed following an impressive showing at the team’s rookie minicamp in the spring. Vaughn injured a knee in the beginning of training camp and was waived/injured.

Injured fifth-year linebacker Jamar Chaney’s contract was terminated.

Also waived were wide receivers Greg Hardin and Greg Wilson, quarterback Bryn Renner, running back Jerodis Williams, linebacker Jerrell Harris, safety Charles Mitchell and defensive tackle Will Pericak.

DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning and Emmanuel Sanders found their rhythm after an early miscue, connecting for two long touchdowns in the final 67 seconds of the first half of the Denver Broncos’ 18-17 preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday night.

Manning was whistled for taunting following his second TD toss to Sanders. The Broncos said that was apparently the first such penalty in the five-time MVP’s career.

Manning ran up to D.J. Swearinger and gave an earful to the Texans’ swaggering second-year safety who leveled Wes Welker with a forearm to the face one play earlier. Welker, who has a history of head injuries, was evaluated for a possible concussion.

Swearinger was also at the center of several skirmishes during the teams’ three days of intense joint practices during the week.