Dallas fans have a chance to witness something they haven’t seen in over a season and a half: a genuine winning streak for the Cowboys. Coach Brian Schoutenheimer, now in his first year as head coach and play‑caller, has guided the team to a solitary three‑game run last season, but the 2026 campaign has been marked by inconsistency.
Recent performance and the upcoming challenge
The Cowboys entered Sunday’s home game at AT&T Stadium with a 3‑4 record, fresh off a 38‑21 victory over the two‑time defending NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles. That win came against an Eagles offense hampered by injuries, and the Dallas defense needed three quarters to find its rhythm.
Dallas’ rushing attack, once the second‑worst in the league, showed a spark when running back Javonte Williams posted a career‑high 155 rushing yards, contributing to a total of 204 yards on the ground. The performance marked the team’s second 200‑yard rushing game since Schoutenheimer took over, suggesting the offense can still produce when it clicks.
Coach Schoutenheimer’s perspective
“It’s a business where you have to be consistent with your execution, with your performance,” Schoutenheimer said. “We’ve been lacking that at times. Another good week, another opponent coming in with a lot of challenges, but it’s more about us and the lack of consistency.”
The coach’s candid assessment underscores the central theme of the season: consistency. The Cowboys must string together solid performances week after week if they hope to break the long‑standing drought of sustained success.
Cardinals’ recent form
Arizona enters the matchup with a 2‑5 record, but the Cardinals have historically dominated the series, winning nine of the last ten meetings. Their most recent win came against the Los Angeles Rams, snapping a four‑game losing streak, though they fell 30‑16 to the Denver Broncos two weeks later, extending a ten‑game home losing streak.
Despite a 2‑2 road record this season, the Cardinals are perfect in four visits to AT&T Stadium, a venue that opened in 2009 and has become a tough place for visiting teams.
Key matchups to watch
The battle in the trenches will be pivotal. Both teams are averaging fewer than 100 rushing yards per game, yet Dallas just posted a 200‑yard rushing effort. Arizona’s rookie No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love remains sidelined with an ankle injury, but undrafted veteran Bam Knight has filled in admirably, averaging 5.8 yards on 22 carries in recent games.
Defensively, the Cowboys rank 31st in the league in rushing defense, allowing 145.7 yards per game, while the Cardinals sit at 23rd, conceding 126.3 yards per game. The contrast may provide an opening for the Cowboys to exploit Arizona’s slightly weaker run defense.
What a win could mean
Securing a victory would give Dallas its first multi‑game winning streak under Schoutenheimer, a milestone that could boost confidence and provide momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. For the Cardinals, a win would continue their recent dominance over Dallas and help them avoid a prolonged home losing streak.
Regardless of the outcome, the game highlights the week‑to‑week nature of the NFL, as Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur noted: “I want these guys to be where their feet are. The highs they felt against the Rams, the lows after the last game. Once you reset, you learn from it on those Mondays, you get right back to work, and you work to be 1‑0.”
Game details
Arizona (2‑5) at Dallas (3‑4) – Sunday, Noon CST on Fox. The latest betting line favors the Cowboys by 6½ points. The spread record shows the Cardinals 3‑4 and the Cowboys 4‑3 against the spread.
Last meeting: Cardinals 27‑17 win on Nov. 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Series record: Cowboys lead 56‑36‑1.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
