Cowboys vs. Cardinals Game Recap

By Archie Nino III

The Dallas Cowboys improved their record to 2-1 after a back and forth showdown in the desert.  For the moment Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott were able to fight off "sophomore slump"  talks for another week. The 28-17 victory took place on MNF after a Sunday that showed players, staff, coaches, personel take part in trying to unify the league by locking arms, kneeling in protest, or raising a fist in the air before the national anthem.

​The Dallas Cowboys got involved pre game as they kneeled in unison along with Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Charlotte Jones and coach Garrett prior to the national anthem. All Cowboys stood proud and tall as the Star Spangled Banner tried to mute out the booing the players recieved after the demonstration.  During the opening drive for the Arizona Cardinals Carson Palmer connected on his first 11 for a TD taking a 7-0 lead early. With no slowing down in sight and an offense that sputtered and punted their 1st few possessions. It was enough to have me wondering if the Broncos game was just who we now are. Then it flipped the pace of the game, the urgency,  the will to win was so present in DAL nothing was going to slow them down.

Dominating the second half of the game and finding a game script that fits the personnel. Dak delivered 13/18 for 183yds and 2 touchdows. Ezekiel Elliott shook off the chains that bound him in DEN rushing 22 times for 80yds and a score.  Even though his avg was a middle of the pack 3.6yds a carry. He will get back into football shape soon and hopefully he's able to break out of a few arm tackles.  Dak Prescott also got in the end zone after a play broke down near the goal line and he made it look easy as he took flight and front flipped over a defender for a score. Dez Bryant held for most of the contest by Patrick Peterson found some space and carried 6 red jerseys, half the Arizona defense, into the endzone with him. It was a play that is the standard for not giving up and playing to the whistle. Brice Butler young man have a day 2 catches for 90yds and a td averaging 45 yds a catch. 

​Even more the Cowboys defense had a solid game as well, playing with a depleted secondary the Cowboys defensive line had all the pressure and did they deliver? A returning from suspension DeMontre Moore might have been all they needed as DeMarcus "Sax" Lawrence obliterated ARI edges and interior for 3 out of 5 sacks vs Palmer. Lawrence and David Irving ,when he returns, could present a matchup nightmare for teams coming in. Right now the biggest concern is health, Chidobe Awuize and Nolan Carroll were inactive and Orlando Scandrick returned from a broken wrist only to go in and out of the lineup, still isn't fully healthy. When the team has their bye in the next few wks health management is key. Next up is the Los Angeles Rams and Todd Gurley who informed all who listened that he plans to "whoop up on the Cowboys" shortly after the Rams beat the 49ers last Thursday.  They have victories over the winless 49ers and the 1 win Colts. Gurley might want to pump the breaks as he prepares to battle the Dallas Cowboys.  Til next time #CowboysNation.