The Dallas Cowboys, standing at 3-4-1, are on the cusp of a critical juncture in their season as they face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. This game, followed by a Week 11 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, presents an opportunity for the Cowboys to establish a winning record for the first time in 2025. The team’s ability to capitalize on these primetime wins is crucial for playoff viability and for gaining national recognition ahead of challenging games against formidable opponents.
With Kyler Murray sidelined, Jacoby Brissett will lead the Cardinals, setting the stage for a Dak Prescott versus Brissett showdown. The Cowboys aim to break their three-game losing streak against the Cardinals, a challenge that has been somewhat eased by Murray’s absence. This article delves into the strategic advantages Brian Schottenheimer’s offense holds against Jonathan Gannon’s defense, examining the key factors that could determine the outcome of this pivotal game.
We’ll explore the Cowboys’ offensive strengths, particularly their success at home, and identify potential vulnerabilities in the Cardinals’ defense that Dallas can exploit. Additionally, we’ll highlight the defensive challenges the Cowboys face, especially in containing Cardinals’ key players like tight end Trey McBride. By analyzing these elements, we’ll provide a comprehensive preview of what the Cowboys need to do to secure a victory and propel their season forward.
The Dallas Cowboys Will Beat the Arizona Cardinals If…
To secure a victory against the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys must continue their dominance against Jonathan Gannon’s defensive schemes. Under Brian Schottenheimer’s guidance, the Cowboys’ offense has the potential to exploit the Cardinals’ vulnerabilities, particularly in the secondary. The key to success lies in leveraging Dak Prescott’s passing game and maintaining a high-scoring output at home.
“The Cowboys under Schottenheimer have yet to shake the McCarthy-era identity that their best chance to stack wins is by relying on a Prescott-led passing game in home games, especially against porous defenses,” notes a recent analysis. This highlights the importance of Prescott’s performance and the team’s ability to capitalize on favorable matchups. The Cardinals’ defense, which has struggled to contain opposing passing attacks, presents an ideal opportunity for the Cowboys to showcase their offensive prowess.
Scoring at least 40 points in each home game this season, and knowing the Cardinals have not scored more than 27 points in either game started by Brissett, the Cowboys offense simply needs to take care of business to control this game and get back in the win column.
They Continue Their Success Against Jonathan Gannon Defenses
The Cowboys’ historical success against Jonathan Gannon’s defenses provides a foundation for optimism heading into this matchup. Despite a recent loss to the Cardinals in 2023, the Cowboys have generally performed well against Gannon’s schemes, particularly during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. In those encounters, the Cowboys were able to secure three wins out of four matchups.
Prior to this though, the Cowboys had success against Gannon’s defenses. In his two seasons with the Eagles, the Cowboys won three of four matchups. The Cowboys swept the season series in 2021 with 41-21 and 56-21 wins. They beat the Eagles in Arlington 40-34 in 2022.
Gannon’s defensive approach, characterized by aggressive man coverage and cornerbacks left on islands, can be exploited by a skilled quarterback like Dak Prescott. By targeting CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the Cowboys can stretch the field and create scoring opportunities from outside the red zone. This strategic approach aligns with the Cowboys’ offensive strengths and maximizes their chances of success against the Cardinals’ defense.
The Dallas Cowboys Will Lose to the Arizona Cardinals If…
Conversely, the Dallas Cowboys face the risk of losing to the Arizona Cardinals if they fail to contain tight end Trey McBride. McBride has emerged as a primary target in the Cardinals’ offense, particularly with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. His ability to exploit mismatches against linebackers and defensive backs poses a significant threat to the Cowboys’ defense.
McBride is a potential problem in every facet of this game plan. The idea of him running routes against either Kenneth Murray or any other Dallas linebacker is terrifying. The poor all-around tackling the Cowboys showed against the Broncos plays into McBride’s ability to be more of a receiver than a tight end after the catch. The instant chemistry he’s apparently found with Brissett, and the Cardinals having an extra week to study how they’ll unleash him against this suspect Cowboys defense, are also concerns.
The Cowboys’ defensive struggles in recent games, particularly their inability to effectively tackle and cover opposing receivers, could prove costly against the Cardinals. If they cannot devise a strategy to limit McBride’s impact, the Cowboys risk falling victim to an upset and extending their losing streak.
They Have No Answer for TE Trey McBride
Trey McBride’s emergence as a focal point in the Cardinals’ offense presents a formidable challenge for the Cowboys’ defense. McBride leads all tight ends in the NFL this season in percentage of their team’s passing yards at fractions shy of 28%. The next closest TE is Sam LaPorta for the Lions at just over 17.5%.
Dallas has both scheme and personnel concerns when it comes to how they’ll be able to slow down McBride off this production. The latter will have help in the coming weeks in the form of DeMarvion Overshown on track to return from injury, but the former must be fixed by Eberflus to prove the Cowboys can use wins against the Cardinals and later the Raiders to actually build any momentum.
The Cowboys’ defense must prioritize limiting McBride’s effectiveness to disrupt the Cardinals’ passing game. This requires a combination of strategic adjustments and improved individual performances. By focusing on containing McBride and forcing Brissett to look elsewhere, the Cowboys can increase their chances of securing a crucial victory.
Conclusion
The Dallas Cowboys’ upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals represents a pivotal moment in their 2025 season. With a record teetering on the edge, the Cowboys need to capitalize on this opportunity to establish a winning streak and solidify their playoff aspirations. Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive strategies hold the key to success, but the team must also address their defensive vulnerabilities to secure a decisive victory.
By leveraging Dak Prescott’s passing game and targeting the Cardinals’ weak secondary, the Cowboys can put up the high-scoring output necessary to control the game. However, they must also devise a plan to contain Trey McBride, whose emergence as a primary target poses a significant threat. The Cowboys defense doesn’t need to right all of their wrongs from the debacle in Denver on Monday (of which there were many), they just need to not let specifically Trey McBride be a game wrecker they have no answers for.
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ ability to execute their offensive game plan while minimizing defensive lapses will determine their fate. A victory against the Cardinals would not only improve their record but also provide valuable momentum heading into a challenging stretch of games. As the season unfolds, the Cowboys must continue to adapt and refine their strategies to achieve their ultimate goal of playoff contention.
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