NFL Behind enemy lines: Cowboys-Cardinals preview with Cardinals Wire
Week 3 has arrived and the 2-0 Cowboys travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals in an attempt to keep their winning streak alive. The winless Cardinals are at an early crossroads in their season. Are they an injured team in need of reinforcements or are they a complete tear down needing a fresh start?
The Cowboys have their own questions to answer. They lost Trevon Diggs to a season ending injury in practice this week and are hoping his replacement, DaRon Bland, is up the task.
The Cardinals may need to get creative to find success against this dominant Dallas team so for insight into their strategy we turn to Jess Root from Cardinals Wire and go “behind enemy lines.”
Cardinals to watch
What part of the Cardinals team does everyone seem to be sleeping on?
If it weren’t for the 31-point second half by the Giants last week, it would be the defense. Expected to be awful, they were very good through 6 quarters. The problem is their depth took a hit as they were down three defensive linemen and a total of five starters.
Identifying weaknesses
What is your biggest concern on offense and biggest concern on defense?
The biggest concern on offense is simply the fact that Josh Dobbs is the quarterback. He hit his ceiling of play in the first half against the Giants. He hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass and for six out of eight quarters, the offense has looked awful.
Defensively, it is depth and talent. With all their starters and with a bunch of capable bodies on the defensive line, they proved to be solid. But with their two best defensive linemen now likely out for the season, it is hard to see them being able to slow Dallas’ running game.
Plan of attack
What do you think will be the plan of attack against the Cowboys?
The Cardinals will try to possess the ball with the running game on offense. They utilize the tight ends a lot in the passing game.
Defensively, it will be to try and contain explosive plays, attempting to force the Cowboys to have to execute in long 14-play drives.
Defending Dallas
How do you expect they will defend the Cowboys offense?
Honestly, not very well. Budda Baker is on IR. Two key defensive linemen are out. They can get to the quarterback (nine sacks in the first six quarters of the season but none after halftime last week), but if the Cowboys are eating steady chunks of yards on the ground, they will simply get worn down.
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Prediction
How will it all unfold?
The Cowboys have feasted on lesser competition. Sure, you might question how good they really are but the Giants and the Jets are a level ahead of the Cardinals in terms of team talent. The Cardinals will be lucky if this game isn’t embarrassing.
Cowboys 34, Cardinals 13
