Cowboys Extend Winning Streak Against Cardinals, Despite Key Injuries
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to extend their winning streak as they face off against the Arizona Cardinals, despite dealing with several key injuries. The last time these two teams met, the Cardinals came out on top with a 25-22 victory on January 2, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. However, the Cowboys are coming into this matchup with confidence after their recent 30-10 win over the New York Jets, while the Cardinals suffered a narrow 31-28 loss to the Giants.
One player to watch for the Cowboys is wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who tied a career-high with 11 catches and had 143 yards receiving against the Jets. Despite not finding the end zone, Lamb played a crucial role in setting up two touchdowns and became the first Dallas receiver to have four games of at least 10 catches in his first four seasons. With the possibility of Brandin Cooks returning from a knee injury, the Cowboys’ offense could become even more potent if both receivers are on the field.
On the Cardinals’ side, linebacker Dennis Gardeck has been a force through the first two games of the season. He has racked up eight tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. Gardeck has become a vital piece of the Cardinals’ defense over the past six years and will play a crucial role in trying to shut down the Cowboys’ offense.
A key matchup in this game will be the Cowboys’ defense against Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The Cowboys’ defense has been impressive so far, forcing seven turnovers in just two weeks. They made life miserable for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Dobbs will need to be cautious with the ball to avoid falling victim to the Cowboys’ aggressive defense.
However, both teams are dealing with significant injuries. Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during practice, a devastating blow to the defense. Diggs led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021 and has been a ballhawk since entering the league in 2020. The Cardinals will be playing their third game without their franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, who is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered last season. He will have to miss at least one more game before being eligible to come off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, while the Cowboys lead the overall series comfortably, the Cardinals have had the upper hand recently, winning six of the past seven meetings, including two in overtime. The Cowboys will be aiming to break that trend and continue their winning streak against the Cardinals.
The Cowboys have had an impressive start to the season, with zero turnovers in their first two games, a first in franchise history. Their plus-7 turnover margin currently leads the NFL, showcasing their ability to create turnovers and give their offense more opportunities. If the Cowboys’ defense can keep the Cardinals’ offense in check and limit their points, they will surpass the 1974 Doomsday defense for the fewest points allowed through three games.
Quarterback Dak Prescott will be starting his 100th regular-season game, making him the only NFL quarterback with at least 150 touchdown passes and 25 rushing touchdowns in his first 100 games. The Cowboys will also rely heavily on running back Tony Pollard, who has taken over as the lead back after the departure of Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard had a career-high in rushes and catches against the Jets and will look to continue his production against the Cardinals.
In terms of statistics and trends, the Cowboys have an opportunity to make history if rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey can make three field goals. He would become the fifth player in NFL history to achieve this feat in his first three games. On the Cardinals’ side, tight end Zach Ertz will be a player to watch, as he has had success against the Cowboys in the past, with 77 catches for 735 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games.
Both teams have shown strengths and weaknesses throughout the season, making for an intriguing matchup. With the Cowboys’ high-powered offense and aggressive defense, and the Cardinals’ resilience and determination, it is sure to be an exciting game for football fans everywhere.
