Cardinals Fall Short as Cowboys Extend Perfect Start to 2-0

First-Half Surge Defines Outcome

The Arizona Cardinals entered Sunday’s contest at State Farm Stadium with hopes of securing their first win, but they were unable to keep pace with a Dallas Cowboys team that improved to 2-0. The visiting squad established control early, leveraging two first-half touchdowns from quarterback Joe Milton III to build an insurmountable lead before halftime.

Milton was efficient and accurate, completing 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. His connection with tight end Malik Davis opened the scoring in the first quarter, a seven-yard pass that put Dallas up 7-0. The Cowboys’ offense struck again later in the period, as Milton found Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard touchdown reception, extending the advantage to 14-0.

Dallas continued its offensive momentum in the second quarter when Milton tucked the ball and rushed for a one-yard touchdown. This play increased the score to 21-3 before Arizona managed to put points on the board via field goals by kicker Chad Ryland. The Cardinals added another field goal and a third-quarter rushing touchdown by Corey Kiner, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Arizona’s Offensive Struggles Continue

For the Cardinals, quarterback Gardner Minshew II attempted to rally the offense but faced significant challenges in generating consistent yardage. Minshew completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts for 177 yards, yet he also threw one interception that highlighted the team's turnover issues.

Running back Evan Hull provided some ground game stability with 11 carries for 51 yards, while wide receiver Simi Fehoko was targeted twice for 42 receiving yards. Despite these individual efforts, the Cardinals’ offense failed to produce a touchdown until the third quarter, and they were held scoreless in the fourth period.

Special Teams and Defense Make Impact

Special teams played a pivotal role in the final margin of victory. Kicker Brandon Aubrey was perfect on all his attempts for Dallas, including field goals from 50 and 29 yards, as well as the extra points following each Cowboys score. His performance helped solidify the defensive effort that kept Arizona out of the end zone after the initial touchdown.

The Cowboys’ defense effectively limited Minshew’s ability to extend drives, forcing three-and-out situations that allowed Dallas to control the tempo of the game. The Cardinals’ inability to generate fourth-quarter scoring opportunities sealed their fate, leaving them with a 1-2 record while Dallas remained undefeated.

Final Score and Records

The game concluded with a final score of 34-13 in favor of the Cowboys. The attendance at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, was recorded at 62,674. With this result, the Dallas Cowboys improve their season record to 2-0, while the Arizona Cardinals drop to 1-2. Neither team’s playoff status or elimination prospects are determined by this regular-season matchup.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401874101