The Dallas Cowboys headed to Arizona looking to build on their preseason-opening win over Seattle and continued to show progress after a disappointing 2025 season. Saturday's 34-13 victory over the Cardinals moved Dallas to 2-0, but several individual performances carried greater weight with one preseason game remaining.

Dallas had not beaten Arizona in either the preseason or regular season since the 2017 Hall of Fame Game. This result marks a notable change from their recent history against the division rival.

According to a report by Calvin Watkins of Dallasnews.com, Joe Milton stole the show with three first-half touchdowns, while several young Cowboys made their cases with the final preseason game approaching.

Joe Milton made a strong case for QB2

Saturday's biggest takeaway was Joe Milton's first-half performance. He accounted for three touchdowns, completing 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two scores while adding a rushing touchdown.

His 53-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Mingo was one of the night's best plays. Milton finished with a 151.4 passer rating, as reported by Calvin Watkins of Dallasnews.com on August 22.

Sam Howell, meanwhile, completed 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards with an interception during his three second-half possessions. With the backup quarterback competition still unresolved, the preseason finale against New Orleans could carry added importance.

The second-team offensive line bounced back

Dallas made changes up front after the second-team offensive line struggled in the preseason opener.

The Cowboys started Drew Shelton, Trevor Keegan, Nick Leverett, Ajani Cornelius and Nate Thomas from left to right. Shelton and Thomas swapped spots from the previous game, while Leverett replaced T.J. Bass, who had the night off.

Milton wasn't sacked, and the running game found more room than it did against Seattle.

Penalties dropped dramatically

Discipline was another noticeable improvement for Dallas.

After committing 13 penalties in the preseason opener, the Cowboys finished with only four for 20 yards against Arizona. Two of those penalties came during the first quarter before Dallas played much cleaner football over the remainder of the game.

That was a welcome response after penalties repeatedly disrupted the preseason opener, as reported by Mike Moraitis of Sports Illustrated.

Christian Parker's defense made another statement

The Cowboys held Arizona to 13 points and two field goals on red-zone possessions.

Dallas also recorded two sacks, while Shavon Revel intercepted Gardner Minshew II. Arizona barely topped 300 yards of total offense, continuing a solid start to the preseason for Parker's new defensive group.

The competition has not featured either team's starters, but Dallas has avoided the major communication problems that hurt its defense over the previous two seasons.

Dallas' preseason momentum continues

The Cowboys are 2-0 in the preseason for the first time since 2007.

That start doesn't guarantee anything once the regular season begins, but Dallas has gotten encouraging performances from several young players while winning both games.

One final matchup against New Orleans Saints remains before the Cowboys turn their attention toward the regular season.

Written by

Evince Das