While praying for Tony Romo’s health, the Dallas Cowboys will have no fear of the Arizona Cardinals when they come to AT&T Stadium. By the same token, the Cards are playing excellent football and look like the class act of the NFC West division, so this matchup will be closely watched by the entire NFL.
At a stage of the season when many teams are still searching for an identity, the Cowboys found theirs as a ground-and-pound ball-control offensive team that can still break off a big play in the passing game. The main cog of this is a young, strong offensive line and DeMarco Murray, who can lay claim to being the best running back in football right now (with assists from Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice imploding in the offseason).
Murray will be facing the league’s top rushing defense, though. Much like the Cowboys, the Cardinals lost several key defensive players from last year yet have stayed effective on that side of the ball. Though the Cards’ secondary has given up a lot of yards so far (and will probably be doing without the concussed Patrick Peterson), the team has been reasonably stingy when it comes to giving up points. Plus, they’re coming off a splendid win over Philadelphia. This marquee game should tell us a lot about these two early-season NFC contenders.
[box_info]Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals kicks off at noon Sun at AT&T Stadium, 1 Legends Way, Arlington. Tickets are $75-500. Call 800-745-3000.[/box_info]
