The Dallas Cowboys continued their impressive preseason run with a convincing 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night. Dallas improved to 2-0 in the preseason behind a strong defensive performance and an outstanding outing from quarterback Joe Milton.
Milton started the game and made the most of his opportunity, producing three total touchdowns while keeping the Cowboys offense in control throughout the first half. He completed 69.2% of his passes for 179 yards, threw two touchdowns without an interception and finished with a 151.4 passer rating. He also added a rushing touchdown.
Joe Milton Shines Against Arizona Cardinals
Milton quickly established himself as one of the biggest stories of the Cowboys vs Cardinals matchup. Dallas moved the ball efficiently and repeatedly created explosive plays against Arizona’s defense.
The Cowboys opened the scoring after cornerback Shavon Revel intercepted Gardner Minshew at the Cardinals’ 34-yard line. Dallas converted the turnover into points when Milton connected with Malik Davis for an eight-yard touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 7-0 lead.
Dallas then doubled its advantage when Milton delivered a deep touchdown pass to Jonathan Mingo. The wide receiver got behind the Arizona defense and turned the play into a 53-yard touchdown, putting the Cowboys ahead 14-0.
Milton later added his third touchdown of the night with a quarterback run, helping Dallas establish a commanding 21-3 advantage.
Cowboys Build 24-6 Halftime Lead
Arizona managed to get on the scoreboard with a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter, but the Cardinals struggled to consistently finish their drives.
Two Arizona touchdowns were wiped out by penalties, preventing the Cardinals from making the game closer. Dallas continued to capitalize on its opportunities, including a spectacular 70-yard reception by rookie wide receiver Camden Brown.
Brown’s big play moved the Cowboys inside the Arizona 1-yard line, allowing Milton to finish the drive with a quarterback touchdown.
Brandon Aubrey then added a 50-yard field goal late in the second quarter as Dallas entered halftime with a 24-6 lead.
Cardinals Show Fight After Halftime
Arizona responded well at the beginning of the third quarter. The Cardinals put together a 64-yard touchdown drive that lasted 12 plays.
Minshew completed four of five passes for 39 yards during the possession, while running back Corey Kiner finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The score cut Dallas’ advantage to 24-13.
The Cowboys, however, quickly regained control. With Sam Howell taking over at quarterback, Dallas produced an 11-play, 57-yard drive that reached the Arizona 11-yard line. Aubrey converted a 29-yard field goal to extend the Cowboys’ lead to 27-13.
Dallas Defense Closes Out the Win
The Cowboys defense remained effective throughout the game, allowing just one touchdown. The unit also produced several important stops that prevented Arizona from building momentum.
Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham was one of the defensive standouts. Making his preseason debut after missing the previous game with a groin issue, Barham recorded five tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Dallas also stopped Arizona on fourth down in the fourth quarter, giving the Cowboys excellent field position. The offense capitalized on the opportunity when running back Phil Mafah scored on a 15-yard touchdown run.
The final score moved Dallas to 34-13 and completed another strong preseason performance.
Sam Howell Gets Second-Half Opportunity
Sam Howell took over for Milton after halftime and completed 70% of his passes, but he finished with only 65 passing yards and threw one interception.
While Howell did not match Milton’s production, Dallas continued to move the ball effectively enough to maintain its advantage. His fourth-quarter interception came inside the Arizona 12-yard line, but the Cowboys defense immediately responded with a crucial fourth-down stop.
Cowboys Wide Receiver Competition Continues
The Cowboys vs Cardinals game also provided another important opportunity in the battle for roster spots at wide receiver.
Camden Brown continued to make his case with two catches for 77 yards, highlighted by his 70-yard reception that nearly produced a touchdown.
Jonathan Mingo was equally impressive, finishing with two catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. His 53-yard score in the first quarter was one of Dallas’ biggest plays of the game.
With both receivers producing explosive plays, the competition for the final wide receiver spots remains one of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the Cowboys.
What the Cowboys vs Cardinals Result Means
The 34-13 win gives Dallas a 2-0 preseason record and provides plenty of encouragement heading into the next stage of preparation.
Milton’s performance was the biggest positive takeaway, while the Cowboys defense once again showed signs of improved depth. The unit forced turnovers, created pressure and limited Arizona to a single touchdown.
The preseason result does not determine regular-season success, but Dallas has now delivered consecutive convincing performances. The Cowboys will look to carry that momentum forward as the roster competition intensifies.
For the Cardinals, the loss highlighted areas that still need improvement, particularly after penalties erased two potential touchdowns. Arizona showed some offensive fight after halftime but could not overcome Dallas’ early advantage.
The Cowboys ultimately controlled the game from the opening quarter and finished with a 34-13 victory, making the Cowboys vs Cardinals matchup another positive step in Dallas’ preseason preparation.
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