Regardless that this week’s main duel will be between the Vikings and the Packers, there is another one in particular that attracts a lot of attention. It’s about the game at AT&T Stadium between the Cowboys and the Cardinals. In which case, both teams are qualified for the postseason, but both franchises have different plans in mind.
The Cowboys arrive this Sunday afternoon with an 11-4 record and win every game in December. They went from struggling in the NFC East division to fully securing it before last week’s game against the Washington team. Which ended with a devastating score of 56 to 14.
Now, any move by the Packers these past two weeks is hugely important to Dallas. Green Bay holds the top spot in the NFC. If this remains the case, they will have a bye week and play the playoffs at Lambeau Field. However, if they lose at least one game and Dallas win what remains, the Cowboys will clinch the top spot. All this thanks to the record of victories in the National Conference. While Green Bay is 8-2, the Cowboys are running a mighty 9-1.
The Cardinals’ case is totally different. After holding a record seven consecutive victories in 2021, the NFC West team has now suffered three consecutive defeats in the final stretch of the campaign. Their current record is ten wins and five losses, and already clearly losing first place in the Conference, they have a more earthly goal. It’s not just about beating the Cowboys on the road. Rather, they are in contention for the top spot in the NFC West division. With their losses, the Rams have been ahead with an 11-4 record.
Kyler Murray on #AZCardinals: “It’s the #NFL . You lose when you don’t do things right. I’m not panicking, I don’t think anyone on this team is panicking.”
— Paul Calvisi (@PaulCalvisi) December 29, 2021
“Personally, I’m not panicking,” Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said. “I don’t think anyone on this team feels that way. Yeah, we’ve lost three in a row, and the Rams lost three in a row. Everyone expected that they would be on the outside, it is not something that does not happen ”.
The goal of the Cardinals is to have a chance to play at home in the postseason. Right now, they are in fifth place in the National Conference. Of course, it’s a relief that they already have the postseason secured. However, they could go better and climb much higher in the rankings. In this way, they would have their first playoff game at home, and not have to face for example with Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium. If the season was ready, the Arizona team would play on the road against Tom Brady and company.
“We understand the position they are in, as well as we understand ours,” said Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy. “This is going to be a postseason class game. We both need this game and will see it this Sunday. “
Arizona and Dallas have seen each other recently and the preseason game is not exactly discussed. Which left the bad memory of Neville Gallimore’s injury that had him out for a long time in 2021. This is the game in 2020 where the Cardinals beat the Cowboys by 38 to 10, with two fumbles from running back Ezekiel Elliott who they ended up recovering the rivals. The good thing about this whole thing is that the team does not look like it did last year and they will seek to nullify what the NFC West rival has in mind.
???? Budda Baker forces a fumble from Ezekiel Elliott, and Jordan Phillips recovers for the Cardinals! #RedSea
???? @beinsports_FR
???? #NFLGamePass pic.twitter.com/Kk1h4rSGff— NFL France (@NFLFrance) October 20, 2020
As can be seen, the objectives of both teams are different at this point, despite the fact that both are already in the playoffs. However, everything seems to indicate that that small bet between Dak Prescott and DeMarcus Lawrence that they made a couple of weeks ago has paid off. Both offense and defense look like machines these last two weeks and against the Cardinals they will have a great test. We will have to wait if the forceful offense against Washington was just a fluke or if that will be the role model that the Cowboys maintain.
Amani Oruwariye lays out for the interception!!!
What a play! ????????????pic.twitter.com/GjEEU5ZxcG
— LionsNationCP (@CpLions) December 19, 2021
Certainly, Dallas’ second positive streak has given them more confidence and best of all, it was in the final stretch of the regular season. While Arizona lost its north and has had recent losses with smaller rivals such as the Lions or the Panthers. Either way, you shouldn’t trust yourself against the NFC West rival, you know that you have a lot at stake and you cannot miss the opportunity to seek to stay with your division. While Dallas will do its thing hoping for an adverse outcome from Green Bay this weekend or the next. What is certain is that we will have a great duel at AT&T Stadium this weekend.
