Game Recap: Cowboys lose to Cardinals in final seconds

After blowing a lead in the fourth quarter, the Dallas Cowboys fall to a preseason record of 0-2. It led to a last-second field goal from kicker Matt Prater handing America’s Team the loss 16-19. Here is a recap of what happened in Friday night’s game.

There is no question. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert should be the backup for the 2021 season.

Gilbert made many “off-script” plays on Friday night, similar to those in his only start last season in his lone start against the Pittsburgh Steelers. When there was a poor snap, Gilbert made a play. When there was a ton of pressure, Gilbert scrambled out of the pocket.

The former AAF star finished the night completing eight of his 16 passes for 80 yards and no turnovers. Gilbert was bailing out the Dallas offense all night. If he played with all the healthy starters for a game, there isn’t much doubt they would have scored more than six points.

The starting wide receivers didn’t do Gilbert any favors either. Wide receiver Michael Gallup dropped a wide-open pass on third down in Arizona territory, and wide receiver Noah Brown dropped a slant pass on the same drive. Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was the best of the bunch catching two balls for 40 yards, one of which was a beautiful deep ball on the sideline from Gilbert.

A surprise player for  Friday night was back up running back JaQuan Hardy. He had eight carries for 32 yards and showed a balance of power and elusiveness in his game. If the Cowboys can hide him on the practice squad for a year, he might be fighting Rico Dowdle for a roster spot next year.

The first team defense continued the tenacity that was on display last week. The Arizona Cardinals opening drive was stalled when linebacker Keanu Neal stripped the ball away and recovered it. He finished the night with two solo tackles and looks natural in his transition from safety.

The defensive line for Dallas was almost unblockable. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong had two sacks towards the team’s total of four. The fourth-year player out of Kansas had a great game adding five tackles, two quarterback hits, and one pass deflection to his stat line.

Other standouts on defense were defensive end Bradlee Anae and defensive tackles Quinton Bohanna and Osa Odighizuwa. The depth of this defense looks a lot more confident than what was shown last season.

Before the end of the preseason, the Cowboys need answers to a couple of questions. With the injury to starting defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, who will step up in his place? Left tackle Ty Nsekhe is not the answer in case Tyron Smith goes down in a game. Can offensive lineman Terence Steele show he’s better and can be the swing tackle for the season?

America’s Team will head back to Dallas for the rest of the preseason and have their dress rehearsal next Saturday, Aug. 21 against the Houston Texans at 8:00 pm EST.