For the Dallas Cowboys, last week was about saving their season, and they did just that with a big win over the Philadelphia Eagles. But this Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals is about proving that they still belong in serious conversations, and making up more ground in the NFC East.
On paper, this Cardinals team looks fairly weak. They're 2-5 and fresh off a lopsided loss to the Denver Broncos. After a season-opening win against the winless Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona has dropped five of its last six contests. But Mike LaFleur's team is more pesky than it seems.
They battled the San Francisco 49ers and beat the Los Angeles Rams, so they are living proof that anything can happen on any given Sunday. And the Cowboys must be prepared for a fight against a team that, historically, they have struggled against, for whatever reason.
- How to watch Cowboys vs. Cardinals in Week 8
- Cowboys injury report for Week 8
- Cardinals injury report for Week 8
- Biggest Cowboys storylines heading into Week 8
- Predictions for Cowboys vs. Cardinals in Week 8
How to watch Cowboys vs. Cardinals in Week 8
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 1
- Time: 12:00 p.m. CT
- TV Network: FOX
- Announcers: Kenny Albert (Play-by-play), Greg Olsen (analyst), Pam Oliver (sideline reporter)
After playing in primetime in Weeks 1, 5, 6 and 7, plus having a game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in Week 3, the Cowboys finally have a mundane Sunday afternoon game on the docket. Brian Schottenheimer's team must be ready to put on a show for the home crowd at AT&T Stadium.
Cowboys injury report for Week 8
Player | Position | Injury | Game Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
Dee Winters | LB | Calf | OUT |
KaVontae Turpin | WR/RS | Ribs | OUT |
George Pickens | WR | Shoulder/Hamstring | Questionable |
Kenny Clark | DT | Back | Questionable |
Jonathan Bullard | DT | Calf | Questionable |
Marist Liufau | OLB | Forearm | Questionable |
Luke Schoonmaker | TE | Groin | Questionable |
Caleb Downs | DB | Ankle | - |
P.J. Locke | SAF | Foot | - |
Tyler Smith | G | Ankle | - |
Nothing has changed since Friday's injury report dropped, other than the fact that Locke was officially designated to return from the injured reserve. It doesn't seem like there is much debate as to the questionable players being active on Sunday, outside of Schoonmaker.
To reinforce the tight end position, just in case Schoonmaker can't play, Dallas elevated James Mitchell from the practice squad.
Cardinals injury report for Week 8
Player | Position | Injury | Game Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
Walter Nolen | DT | Ankle | OUT |
Jon Gaines II | RG | Ankle | OUT |
Andrew Wingard | SAF | Knee | Questionable |
Max Melton | CB | Knee | Questionable |
Hjalte Froholdt | OL | Knee | Questionable |
Jeremiyah Love | RB | Ankle | - |
Michael Wilson | WR | Ribs | - |
Tyler Allgeier | RB | Toe | - |
Zaven Collins | OLB | Illness | - |
Again, no changes from Friday's injury report. But the Cowboys are at a major advantage in the middle of the trenches, as the Cardinals are down a starting guard and defensive tackle. This should help Dallas run the ball and help them stop what is talented Arizona rushing attack.
Biggest Cowboys storylines heading into Week 8
Can Dallas string together two wins (for just the second time in the Schotty era)?
A winning streak is defined by two straight wins. And despite Schottenheimer's team hovering around .500 for each of the last two seasons, his Cowboys have only enjoyed one winning streak during his tenure, which ran from Week 11 to Week 13 last year. That's it.
If Dallas can beat the Cardinals, they'll have won two straight games. The Cowboys have only beaten Arizona one time since 2006, losing eight of their last nine matchups. Sometimes, things like this just exist and are unexplainable. But America's Team must get over the hump to be taken seriously.
Will the Cowboys continue to lean on the run?
Schottenheimer discovered some secret sauce last week with his use and deployment of Javonte Williams and Tyler Goodson in tandem. He remembered that the Cowboys can run the ball exceptionally well, and that it actually helps the passing game and the defense. Go figure!
Arizona has not been great at stopping the run this year anyway, but without Walter Nolen plugging up the middle of the defense, Dallas should be able to pave lanes all Sunday long. If Schotty is willing to run back the same game plan, it should be easy pickings for the Cowboys' offense.
Does Christian Parker have the ability to stop lengthy Cardinals drives?
Parker's defense has a tendency to give up touchdowns on the opening drive, and they frequently allow long, sustained scoring possessions. Unfortunately, the Cardinals are among the very best in the NFL at drawing up 10+ play drives that last eight or more minutes.
They've had 21 drives of 10 or more plays, and they've scored on 18 of them. They've had four drives of 14+ plays and eight or more minutes chewed up. With the Cowboys' struggles getting off the field, this could be a major storyline in this contest.
Predictions for Cowboys vs. Cardinals in Week 8
ESPN Experts
Dan Graziano - Cowboys
Kalyn Kahler - Cowboys
Jeremy Fowler - Cowboys
Pamela Maldonado - Cowboys
Lindsey Thiry - Cowboys
Seth Wickersham - Cowboys
Ben Solak - Cowboys
Jason Reid - Cowboys
Matt Bowen - Cowboys
Mike Clay - Cowboys
Eric Moody - Cowboys
NFL Media
Bucky Brooks - Cowboys
Tom Grossi - Cowboys
Lance Zierlein - Cowboys
Nick Shook - Cowboys
Colleen Wolfe - Cowboys
Brooke Cersosimo - Cowboys
Dan Parr - Cowboys
Brandon Perna - Cowboys
Kevin Patra - Cowboys
Grant Gordon - Cowboys
Bleacher Report
Kristopher Knox - Cowboys
Moe Moton - Cowboys
Wes O'Donnell - Cowboys
Gary Davenport - Cardinals
Brad Gagnon - Cardinals
Ian Hanford - Cardinals
Brett Sobleski - Cardinals
Add us as a preferred source on Google