Cowboys-Cardinals live updates: Dallas can’t overcome red zone issues
Cardinals #Cardinals
The Cowboys are heavy favorites to beat the Cardinals at 3:25 p.m. today at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., and improve to 3-0 to start the season. The defense will be without corner Trevon Diggs, who tore his ACL in practice on Thursday. The offense could be missing a couple on injured offensive linemen, and QB Dak Prescott will be starting his 100th career game as Cowboy.
Check back here for updates throughout the day and follow along during the game until the final whistle:
6:25 p.m.: That’s it, folks
The Cowboys drop their first game of the season, a 28-16 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. Dallas was outplayed from the opening kickoff. You can read more about the game in our five immediate takeaways.
6:10 p.m.: Dak Prescott throws his first INT of 2023
Another long drive by the Cowboys stalls, but this one ended with a red zone interception. The Cowboys found themselves at the Arizona 6-yard line when Prescott attempted to connect with Brandin Cooks. Instead, Arizona’s Kyzir White came down with the pick to force a touchback. It was Prescott’s first interception of the season. Cardinals 28, Cowboys 16
Cowboys
5:58 p.m.: Arizona widens its lead
After holding the Cowboys to a field goal, the Cardinals responded swiftly with a scoring drive of their own. A coverage bust led to a 69-yard connection between Joshua Dobbs and Michael Wilson. Three plays later, Dobbs found Marquise Brown for a 2-yard touchdown as the game nears its final minutes. Cardinals 28, Cowboys 16
5:51 p.m.: Another long drive results in a field goal
Brandon Aubrey is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts after sending a 26-yard kick through the uprights. Another long drive for the Cowboys offense sputtered in the red zone as the Arizona defense responded well to two run plays and a Dak Prescott pass attempt to CeeDee Lamb. Cardinals 21, Cowboys 16
5:32 p.m.: Red zone issues continue
The Cowboys offense looked like it was finally clicking after big gains from Michael Gallup and Tony Pollard. When the unit reached the red zone, a holding penalty pushed Dallas back 10 yards from the Arizona 4-yard line. A Dak Prescott pass fell incomplete two plays later, helping the Cardinals’ 8-point lead hold.
5:16 p.m.: Cowboys settle for another kick
Needing to chip away at their halftime deficit, the Cowboys turned to Brandon Aubrey for the second time today. A 13-play, 67-yard drive ended with a 27-yard field goal from the kicker. A shifty run from Dak Prescott to elude two defenders was the highlight of Dallas’ first drive after the break. Cardinals 21, Cowboys 13
4:53 p.m.: Cowboys trail at halftime
The Cowboys defense surrendered two more Cardinals field goals, including a 62-yarder by Matt Prater on the last play of the first half. Dallas is facing an 11-point deficit at halftime. Not much has gone right for Dallas. Below is a look at some of the lowlights:
Score: Cardinals 21, Cowboys 10
Rush defense: Dallas has allowed 182 yards rushing
Average gain: The Cardinals are averaging 8.3 yards per play.
Penalties: Dallas has 10 penalties for 72 yards
4:25 p.m.: Cowboys close the gap
The Dallas offense, missing three starting linemen, responded to the Arizona score with a sustained drive. Dak Prescott hit Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown to cap a 13-play, 75-yard drive with 5:32 remaining in the first half. Cardinals 15, Cowboys 10
4:11 p.m.: Cowboys defense yields again
The Cowboys officially are in a dogfight. Arizona scores a second touchdown in the first half, this time a 45-yard run by Rondale Moore. The Cardinals failed on the 2-point attempt for the second time in the game, giving them a 12-point lead with roughly 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Cardinals, 15, Cowboys 3
4 p.m.: Cowboys get on the board
The Cowboys showed the first signs of life on offense, moving the ball 44 yards in 10 plays. Michael Gallup shook loose for a 19-yard pass play on the drive. Brandon Aubrey made a 49-yard field goal to get Dallas on the board. Cardinals 9, Cowboys 3
3:50 p.m.: Cowboys start slow
The Cardinals opened up a 9-0 lead after a James Connor touchdown run with 6:12 remaining in the first quarter (Arizona failed on a two-point conversation attempt). Dallas went three-and-out on its opening drive, which included a pair of pre-snap penalties, before punting the ball away. Cardinals 9, Cowboys 0
3:30 p.m.: Cardinals open scoring
The Cowboys won the coin toss and chose to kick the ball away to begin the game. Arizona drove down the field, highlighted by a 44-yard run by Joshua Dobbs, and got on the board early with a 39-yard field goal from veteran Matt Prater. Cardinals 3, Cowboys 0
3 p.m.: Three OL starters on sideline
Cowboys starting center Tyler Biadasz and starting right guard Zack Martin were both listed as inactive for the game against the Cardinals. Starting left tackle Tyron Smith (knee) was active but it appears he won’t play, as he’s not participating in warmups.
The pregame injury news wasn’t all gloomy, though, as left guard Tyler Smith (hamstring) will play and make his season debut. Safety Donovan Wilson (calf) also will make his season debut. Click here for the full inactives report.
Pregame updates
(1:40 p.m.) The Cowboys named left tackle Tyron Smith a team captain for Sunday’s matchup, a sign he will likely be active and in the lineup.
(1:24 p.m.) NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that right guard Zack Martin (ankle) and center Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) are expected to be inactive against the Cardinals on Sunday.
(9:28 a.m.) Three of the Cowboys’ five starting offensive linemen are questionable to play Sunday, with left tackle Tyron Smith (knee), right guard Zack Martin (ankle) and center Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) all on this week’s injury report.
With Smith, Martin and Biadasz’s status all in question, Dallas elevated centers Brock Hoffman and Sean Harlow from the practice squad to the active roster.
All three starters traveled to Arizona, and at least one is expected to start, according to The Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said early Sunday morning Martin and Biadasz are both subject to pregame workouts to assess their availability.
Pregame reading
– Dak Prescott, face of Cowboys’ franchise, celebrates unique journey to 100 NFL starts
– Expert predictions for Cowboys-Cardinals: No Kyler Murray chaos this time around
– How veteran DE DeMarcus Lawrence is holding down the other side of Cowboys’ defensive line
– Trevon Diggs injury re-emphasizes importance of Cowboys’ trade for CB Stephon Gilmore
– 5 final Cowboys-Cardinals thoughts: Will Dallas get Michael Gallup involved on offense?
When: 3:25 p.m. (FOX) Where: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
Betting line: DAL -13, over/under 43 (via Caesars Sportsbook, as of Sunday)
Broadcasters: Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston, sideline reporter Pam Oliver
Radio: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), 107.5 La Grande in Spanish (KMVK-FM)
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.