Preseason wins don’t figure significantly into the big picture for teams but they still feel good.
Matt Prater boots a 47-yard kick like he’s done time and again to lift the Arizona Cardinals over the Dallas Cowboys Friday night, 19-16. Here are the observations by quarter and what stood out the most from tonight’s win.
Quarterback Kyler Murray did not start despite coach Kliff Kingsbury saying he’d play a few snaps. Instead, Colt McCoy took the reigns. The Cardinals TV broadcast noted that Murray saw McCoy as a source of inspiration, both ending their respective Texas high school careers as legends. Arizona didn’t start with the ball, instead, the defense went out first. Rookie linebacker Zaven Collins got a nice tackle for a loss on Tony Pollard to start things before McCoy got the ball in his hands.
The offense didn’t have the best start as tight end Maxx Williams had the ball forced out by safety Keanu Neal. Nevertheless, the defense showed early sparks afterward, allowing McCoy to later find Christian Kirk on the receiver’s only catch of the night, a 34-yarder. This was possible in part to the defense staying frosty in the midst of Dallas mishandling two snaps in a failed red zone drive. Also, rookie wideout Rondale Moore appeared promising in limited play. He looked like a natural coming off a jet sweep in one instance.
Eventually, Chris Streveler relieves McCoy but the offensive line begins having difficulty defending the former CFL quarterback. Offensive lineman Josh Miles, in particular, got exposed a few times on the left in this quarter. One instance technically didn’t count as Dallas rookie Bradley Anae ending up roughing the passer. Nevertheless, that’s going to be something for the film room. The biggest play of course, came from fan-favorite running back Eno Benjamin. The former Sun Devil ran in a six-yard score after Streveler’s 23-yard tuck-and-run.
On the flipside, cornerback Darryl Worley gave Dallas some karma as he forced a fumble of his own against Rico Dowdle. Plus, defensive end Michael Dogbe had an eye-catching tackle on Dowdle in a later drive. He needs more of those as Arizona was thin on the defensive line prior to this game. Plus, rookie corner Marco Wilson pitched in with a team-high four tackles at halftime.
Benjamin followed up on his touchdown with a 39-yard run early in the second half. But Kliff Kingsbury didn’t seem keen on trying to keep feeding the running back. Attempts for a touchdown pass with Streveler failed and Matt Prater was brought on for a field goal. In hindsight, trying to punch it in while the iron was still hot may have proved better.
A touchdown would have definitely been welcomed by fans as the Arizona defense gave up quite a few plays to Dallas during the ensuing drive. Rookie corner Tay Gowan displayed a solid stop in the endzone, but overall, the Bird Gang just kept bending and bending. Dallas gradually closed the game with field goals while Arizona’s O-Line was scrambling to hold off the Cowboys.
Throughout the game, the Arizona defense was unable to get out of several third down and short situations. Sooner or later, this was eventually going to result in capitulation. And it happened when Ben DiNucci found Brandon Smith for Dallas’ only touchdown of the night, leading 16-13. In hindsight, the Cardinals needed that, as what followed proved a good test of poise and concentration for those trying to make the cut.
Offensively, Strevler kept the drive going with feet, then found Greg Dortch for what was arguably the most important catch all night. But again, the drive stalled in the red zone, Matt Prater kicking a game-tying field goal to make it 16-16. The defense blitzed DiNucci to give Streveler and company the ball back. Arizona went down the field to set Prater up for the game-winner.
Chris Banjo left the game late with a hamstring injury and Jonathan Ward suffered an ankle injury.
The Cardinals were fortunate Dallas only got one touchdown. For those trying to make the team, there are a lot of third and short spots to iron out on film.
Perhaps because it was the preseason, Kingsbury didn’t feel a need to try to run in a score after Benjamin’s third-quarter chunk play. But at the same time, why not practice that aggressiveness now?
The Cardinals secondary will also have time to work out their own issues. One specific moment will likely be a completion to Cedrick Davis. The pass clearly should have been swatted away if not intercepted.
Both Zaven Collins and Rondale Moore showed potential in their own roles and next week against Kansas City should bring more.
Preseason Week 2 against the Chiefs is Friday, August 20, at 8 PM eastern time at State Farm Stadium.
Featured Image courtesy of NFL/Twitter
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