Cowboys Top Cardinals 34-13 Behind Joe Milton III

The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 on Saturday night, with Joe Milton III delivering two touchdown passes in a sharp preseason performance at State Farm Stadium. Dallas jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, maintained control through the middle quarters, and finished its road preseason outing with a 2-0 record.

The Cowboys set the tone immediately in Glendale. Their 14-point opening quarter gave Arizona little margin for error, and Dallas extended the advantage to 24-6 by halftime. In preseason football, the final score matters less than player evaluation, but the Cowboys checked several important boxes: explosive passing plays, a productive rushing workload, and a defense that limited Arizona to six first-half points.

Arizona found some traction after the break, scoring the only touchdown of the third quarter to make it 27-13. But Dallas answered the Cardinals’ push by keeping the game out of reach. The Cowboys added a fourth-quarter touchdown while their defense blanked Arizona over the final 15 minutes, turning a potential late test into a comfortable 21-point result.

Key Performers

Joe Milton III was the headline performer for Dallas, completing 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Milton’s line was efficient and explosive: he averaged nearly 13.8 yards per attempt while producing two scoring throws on only 13 attempts. That combination of accuracy and downfield production is exactly what a quarterback hopes to show in a preseason audition.

Camden Brown provided the biggest receiving plays, catching two passes for 77 yards. Brown averaged 38.5 yards per reception, giving Milton a vertical option and helping the Cowboys turn limited passing volume into substantial yardage. In a game where roster spots and roles are being evaluated, that kind of big-play efficiency stands out.

Jaydon Blue led Dallas on the ground with 15 carries for 75 yards. Blue did not find the end zone, but his steady 5.0-yard average gave the Cowboys a dependable rushing foundation. His workload also reflected Dallas’ ability to protect an early lead, keep the offense on schedule, and run clock in the second half.

NerdSports Stat: Dallas scored 24 points in the first half and allowed just seven points after halftime, creating a 17-point swing in its favor across the two halves.

How Dallas Took Control

The quarter-by-quarter scoring tells the story. Dallas won the first quarter 14-0, added another 10 points before halftime, and never allowed Arizona to make the score a one-possession game. The Cardinals’ seven-point third quarter was their best stretch, but the Cowboys countered with a field goal in that period and then put the game away with a 7-0 fourth quarter.

There were no overtime complications, no late two-minute drill needed, and no final-possession drama. Instead, Dallas played from ahead for virtually the entire evening. That game script gave the Cowboys valuable reps in managing a lead, leaning on the rushing attack, and closing out a game defensively.

For Arizona, the result leaves a clear emphasis heading into the final preseason week: start faster and find more consistency before falling into an early multi-score deficit. The Cardinals are now 1-2, while Dallas heads into its next contest unbeaten in preseason play.

The Cowboys will host the New Orleans Saints on Friday, August 28 at 5:00 PM PDT, while the Cardinals welcome the Green Bay Packers at the same time. With the regular season nearing, both teams will have one more opportunity to sort out depth-chart battles and build momentum.

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