The Cardinals won the toss and chose to defer which put the Cowboys offense up first.
Matters seemed to be relatively easy for the Cowboys. Javonte Williams was picking up big gain after big gain and soon
enough both George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb were involved, too.
Dallas reached a goal to go situation and on first down Williams was taken down by Cardinals rookie Walter Nolen who made his NFL debut in the game. That put the Cowboys being the eight ball and after Jake Ferguson got them close on second down they came up shy on both third and fourth (obviously they went for it) to turn the ball over on downs.
The Cardinals went to work at their own 11-yard line and made legitimate work out of the possession. All told their drive lasted 15 plays, traveled 55 yards, and mercifully came to an end with a field goal after failing on third down (they converted four before it, including penalties). There was a missed penalty on Arizona when Dante Fowler had his facemask pulled, but you know how that goes.
SCORE: COWBOYS 0, CARDINALS 3 (Chad Ryland 48-yard field goal)
It was 3rd and 7 quickly for the Cowboys and Dak Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for the conversion, unfortunately Tyler Booker held on the play and Dallas was backed up 10 yards. Prescott had his arm hit as he launched on 3rd and 17 and the ball floated in the air forever. Thankfully Mack Wilson dropped an interception that was dropping like a punt, but ultimately the Cowboys did actually punt after going three and out. Far from ideal.
Donovan Ezeiruaku had an impressive sack on second down, but unfortunately Arizona had one more before having to make a decision. They converted the 3rd and 14 right as the first quarter ended.
