First-Half Dominance
Joe Milton III established control early, connecting on two touchdown passes in the first half to set the tone for Dallas. The visiting Cowboys opened the scoring in the first quarter when Milton found Malik Davis on an 8-yard pass, followed shortly by a 53-yard strike to Jonathan Mingo.
Both scores included successful kicks from Brandon Aubrey, giving Dallas a commanding 14-0 lead before Arizona could respond.
The Cardinals’ offense struggled to generate momentum against the Cowboys’ defense. They did not score in the first quarter, remaining shut out while their opponent extended its advantage. The defensive pressure forced errors and limited Arizona’s ability to establish a rhythm, leaving them trailing significantly as they approached halftime.
Second Quarter Expansion
Arizona attempted to chip away at the deficit in the second quarter, but Dallas maintained its composure. Chad Ryland kicked a 38-yard field goal for the Cardinals, making the score 14-3. However, the Cowboys answered immediately. Milton rushed for a touchdown from 1 yard out, and Aubrey’s kick restored a double-digit lead at 21-3.
Arizona added another field goal late in the half when Ryland connected from 31 yards out, bringing the score to 21-6 just before halftime. Brandon Aubrey capped the first half with a 50-yard field goal, pushing the Cowboys’ advantage to 24-6. The visiting team’s efficiency on both sides of the ball ensured they entered the locker room with substantial control over the game.
