Cowboys vs. Cardinals: 5 Keys To Ending Historically Bad NFL Run

The Dallas Cowboys will welcome the Arizona Cardinals to AT&T Stadium on Sunday, with coach Brian Schottenheimer desperate to notch back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly a calendar year.

The Cardinals have been the Cowboys' kryptonite in recent times, with the NFC West franchise 8-2 in their last 10 meetings, while Dallas hasn't beaten the lowly foe at all in CeeDee Lamb's tenure.

In fact, the last win for Dallas came back in 2017. That's how long it has been.

So, with the 2-5 Cardinals rolling into AT&T Stadium, how do the Cowboys get a much-needed win and do what's needed to end this disastrous narrative?

By doing these five things.

1 - Avoid the infamous emotional letdown/start fast:

Emotional letdown vs. Arizona?? Let me explain.

Last week against the Philadelphia Eagles was built up to within an inch of its life, and now comes the 2-5 Cardinals.

Don't get caught napping early, Dallas. 

Lamb stated Dallas had been relaxed and got "punched in the mouth" when it played the Cardinals, so don't let that happen again.

Yes, last week was a big emotional win, but don't allow Arizona to get the jump on you because you've taken them for granted.

This game may be even more important than last week. Don't let the mental game overpower you. Start fast.

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2 - Stop Trey McBride at all costs:

Arizona has one weapon. McBride. If I am Dallas, I am calling Joey Porter Jr. into my office and telling him to travel everywhere with the tight end, even if it is to get a drink on the sidelines.

Treat him like a superstar wideout? It's unorthodox. But isn't what he is, just in a jumbo body?

Go everywhere with him.

McBride has 59 receptions for 572 yards and 4 TDs, easily leading all Cardinals weapons, so take him away (as best you can) and force Jacoby Brissett to beat you with someone else.

Tight ends have often been Dallas' kryptonite, and maybe DeMarvion Overshown or somebody else could survive this. But you have a shutdown defender at your disposal. Use him.

3 - More Javonte and "bloody noses'' 

Last week showed the blueprint for this offense to win games. Run with Williams and use play-action off of that to hit Lamb and George Pickens for big gains.

The Cardinals struggle against the run, allowing 162, 140, 163, and 159 yards this season. So, they struggle to stop the run. 

The three Tylers were immense last week, so pound the rock, control the clock, and force the Cardinals to give up.

You have the recipe for success. Establish it - "bloody their noses,'' as Darren Woodson told our Mike Fisher this week - and let everything fall into place.

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4 - 20/20 vision

The Cardinals have only scored more than 26 points once this season. In their last four games, they haven't scored more than 24 points, and in their last two, they haven't scored more than 18 points.

Dak Prescott and Co. can put the pressure on this Cardinals defense that gives up a league-worst 29.7 points per game. They can't go toe-to-toe in a shoot out.

Get rolling early and make this Cardinals team, which will want to shorten the game, be forced to click into a gear they don't have.

But note this in terms of numbers in the 20's: The Cowboys have allowed 20 or more points for 14 straight games. That's the longest active streak in the league -- and the longest streak in franchise history.

5 - Defense has to tighten up early and with takeaways

In each of their last four games, the defense has given up a touchdown on their opening drive, and against the Eagles, it gave up back-to-back touchdown drives.

In fact, just twice all season has the defense not given up a touchdown on their first drive, against the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 2 and 3.

Can coordinator Christian Parker's unit lock things down early this time and allow them to hopefully play with a lead?

Arizona has only averaged 20.3 points per game, has only rushed for 100 yards three times, and Brissett hasn't had a 300-yard passing game yet in 2026.

At the same time, the Cowboys lost this matchup by being 0-to-3 in the takeaway category. And during the four-game losing streak? The number is minus-11.

Don't let this be the first week in which Arizona puts up numbers. And don't get demolished in the takeaway category.

Start fast, get off the field, and let the offense work without the pressure of dealing with this defense's inability to truly be the reason Dallas wins ... and the streak can end along the lines of Fish's 30-23 Dallas predicted win.