Interesting LONG Preview I read to ponder over, make your own choice, I’ve already made mine.
Brian Schottenheimer spent extra time with the defense this week on a continued mission to solve the many ailments dooming the Dallas Cowboys in their first four losses.
Smacked for 30 touchdowns and 250 points in eight games, the Cowboys (3-4-1) are not far off the pace of the record-worst performance by a defense set last season by the Panthers (534).
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are doing enough to stay above water as they tread into a Monday night matchup, with the Cardinals (2-5) coming to Arlington with a mind to unpack their cumbersome five-game losing streak.
Arizona's five defeats were by a total of 13 points and the winning score came in the final five minutes of each one.
"No secret ingredient," Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said. "Coach better and play better. There's no magic sauce. Just gotta play better."
Entering Monday, the Cowboys are averaging 41.3 points and 441 yards per game at home this season.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney said his experience with six other teams before joining the Cowboys gives him enough evidence to know Dallas should be winning consistently.
"We've got one of the best offenses in the NFL. Defense just has got to pick it up," Clowney said. "I think if we can get our side going like we need to, it could be a great team and try to head into the playoffs."
Arizona will be starting Jacoby Brissett at quarterback for the third straight game. Gannon made the announcement Saturday after it was determined Kyler Murray (foot) is not fit enough to start.
Murray was listed as questionable and Gannon said that Murray could "have a role" in the contest.
That would be a welcome development as Murray is 9-0 at AT&T Stadium dating to his 5-0 record at Allen High School. He's 2-0 with Arizona, 1-0 with Oklahoma and 1-0 with Texas A&M.
Arizona was anticipating Murray would be available Monday night. He missed the past two games before a bye last week. He was limited at practice all week.
Trey McBride has been on a tear as the primary outlet for backup Jacoby Brissett.
Gannon said the week of rest was significant for Murray and everyone else in the Cardinals' locker room preparing for a "premium player" in Prescott.
"They're rested. It looks a little bit different," Gannon said. "It was very beneficial."
Rest can be critical before playing the Cowboys, who are No. 1 in the league in passing and average 4.7 yards per carry. The Cowboys have had issues at cornerback and safety, contributing to the transition of multiple games into track-meet mode.