Arizona Cardinals Look to Extend Four‑Game Winning Streak Against Dallas Cowboys
The Cardinals have been on a roll in Arlington, having captured four straight victories over the Cowboys this season. Arizona’s 2‑5 overall record sits on the brink of a crucial matchup with Dallas, a 3‑4 team coming off a dominant 38‑21 win in Philadelphia. With the NFL’s pass‑defensive woes still lingering and Dallas’s defense ranked 30th in dropback EPA, the Cardinals must balance their aggressive passing attack against a Cowboys unit that is shuffling injuries and trying to regain its footing. Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX sets up a clash of six key players—three Cardinals who can seal the win and three Cowboys who can break it apart.
Cardinals Who Can Turn the Tide
Trey McBride continues to dominate the receiving game. The Arizona target leads the NFL with 59 catches for 472 yards and four touchdowns, and he has not dropped a single pass on 74 attempts according to PFF. McBride’s 6.1‑yard average depth of target aligns perfectly with the Cardinals’ 13th‑ranked success rate, but the real test will be finishing in the red zone. “I honestly should’ve made that play on the pass interference and it eats me up,” he said after a missed end‑zone grab in the season‑opening win over Denver.
Jeremiyah Love returns from an ankle injury. The rookie running back practiced fully on Friday and is set to play Sunday after missing two games. Love has 245 yards on 67 carries (3.7‑yard avg.) and a PFF rushing grade of 71.3, which sits 21st among qualified backs. Dallas allows 145.7 rushing yards per game and ranks 29th in rush EPA, giving Love a favorable matchup. With Bam Knight averaging 6.4 yards per carry in Love’s absence, the backfield split could be a defining factor.
Zaven Collins anchors Arizona’s edge defense. Collins boasts an 85.5 run‑defense grade—the fourth‑best among 113 edge defenders—and an overall grade of 77.0 (19th). He missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness but returned fully Thursday and Friday. Arizona’s run defense ranks eighth in rush EPA, yet the unit surrendered 159 yards to Denver. Dallas ran 38 times in Philadelphia, signaling a shift toward a ground‑heavy attack. Collins also figures into trade rumors, so a strong performance could boost his value.
McBride’s Red‑Zone Impact
While McBride’s catch rate is elite, his red‑zone efficiency remains a question mark. He hauled in 10 passes for 111 yards against Denver but left frustrated after a missed touchdown. The Cardinals’ red‑zone offense ranks 22nd, and McBride’s ability to finish in the end zone will be critical for Arizona to capitalize on Dallas’s vulnerable defense.
Love’s Return and the Ground Game
Love’s reintroduction adds depth to a Cardinals running back corps that has struggled with consistency. Dallas’s defensive line, battered by injuries, has surrendered 145.7 yards per game on the ground. If Love can maintain his workload and find holes, the Cardinals could control the clock and keep Dallas’s explosive offense off the field.
Collins’s Edge Defense
Collins’ ability to set the edge will be pivotal against Dallas’s running back trio. His 85.5 run‑defense grade reflects consistent pressure and tackling. With the Cowboys leaning on the ground after a 145‑yard rushing performance in Philadelphia, Collins must keep the line of scrimmage tight to keep the game close.
Cowboys Who Can Break Arizona’s Resolve
Javonte Williams is coming off a career‑day performance. Williams ripped off 155 yards on the ground in Philadelphia, earning a PFF overall grade of 85.5—third‑best on Dallas’s offense. The back has 472 yards on 110 carries with eight rushing touchdowns, the NFL lead. Dallas’s offensive line protected him well, with right guard Tyler Booker posting a 90.3 run‑blocking grade and left tackle Tyler Guyton at 83.4. Arizona’s interior defense, however, allowed Dante Stills a 33.9 run‑defense grade against Denver, suggesting vulnerabilities.
CeeDee Lamb poses a deep threat for the Cardinals’ secondary. Lamb has 53 catches for 651 yards and six touchdowns, earning an 89.6 overall grade (8th among qualified receivers). He caught two touchdowns Monday night and continues to stretch defenses vertically. Arizona’s pass defense ranks 27th in EPA allowed, and the secondary has surrendered 17 touchdowns. Denzel Burke allowed one catch for 47 yards in Denver, while Max Melton is questionable with a knee injury, raising concerns about depth.
Quinnen Williams delivers pressure from the interior. The Cowboys’ defensive tackle has three sacks on the season and earned two sacks plus 18 pressures from PFF, 16th among 126 interior defenders. He recorded three tackles for loss in Philadelphia and is a key piece of Dallas’s defensive turnaround. Arizona’s line is hampered by injuries: right guard Hayden Conner posted a 33.5 pass‑blocking grade against Denver, center Hjalte Froholdt is questionable with a knee, and Jon Gaines II is out. Brissett has been sacked 15 times, making the pass rush a critical factor.
Williams’s Ground Assault
Javonte’s ability to break tackles and find creases will test Arizona’s run defense. Dallas’s offensive line’s run‑blocking grades suggest they can create lanes, especially if Arizona’s front seven is slowed by injuries. If Williams continues his eight‑TD pace, the Cowboys will stay ahead of the chains and limit the Cardinals’ offensive opportunities.
Lamb’s Vertical Threat
Lamb’s route precision and sprint speed keep defenses guessing. With the Cardinals’ secondary lacking a proven shutdown corner, Lamb’s 651 receiving yards could be amplified if the team’s defensive coordination adjusts. A healthy Max Melton would help, but the Cowboys may need to scheme around Lamb’s presence to keep the Cardinals off balance.
Quinnen’s Pass Rush Impact
Quinnen Williams’ presence collapses pockets and forces quarterbacks into unfavorable throws. With Arizona’s offensive line missing two starters, the pass rush could generate critical pressures. Dallas’s defensive line must sustain its intensity, especially if the Cardinals attempt to rely heavily on short, quick passes to McBride.
Defensive Duel and Key Storylines
Arizona’s Pass Defense Struggles
The Cardinals rank 27th in pass EPA allowed and have given up 17 touchdowns. Their lack of depth at cornerback—evinced by Denzel Burke’s 47‑yard allowed catch—makes them vulnerable to Dallas’s precise passing attack. The Cowboys will look to attack deep zones where Lamb can exploit the lack of coverage.
Dallas’s Offensive Line Challenges
While the Cowboys’ interior line performed well in Philadelphia, Arizona’s pass rush is ranked 14th in quarterback pressures. If Quinnen and the defensive line can generate consistent pressure, they may disrupt Brissett’s timing and force turnovers. The battle up front could determine whether Dallas can sustain its ground attack or whether Arizona can get back into the game.
Final Prediction and What to Watch
The Cardinals’ balanced attack—McBride’s receiving, Love’s running, and Collins’s edge defense—should be enough to keep the Cowboys off the field and preserve the winning streak. However, Dallas’s momentum, led by Williams’s explosive runs and Lamb’s deep threats, could tip the scales if Arizona’s pass defense remains porous. Look for McBride to target the corners on intermediate routes, Love to find crevice runs on the edges, and Quinnen Williams to pressure Brissett in the middle. A strong performance from Collins on the edge could also sway the line of scrimmage, giving the Cardinals the advantage they need to extend their four‑game winning streak.
Ultimately, the game comes down to execution. If the Cardinals can sustain their balanced attack and keep Dallas’s offense off the field, they’ll improve to 3‑5. If the Cowboys’ ground game stays hot and Lamb finds the end zone, the Cardinals’ 2‑5 start could quickly become a daunting climb.
This story originally appeared on Athlon Sports and includes the latest player grades, injury updates, and matchup analysis. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source to stay up‑to‑date on all NFL coverage.
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