The Arizona Cardinals have a huge job on Monday night when they take on the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the entire NFL right now, so there’s a lot of buzz about whether Arizona’s defense can slow them down. It’s definitely going to be a tough game.

Cowboys’ Offense Packs a Punch

Dallas’ offense is loaded with talented guys who can hurt you in a bunch of ways. Dak Prescott leads the charge. He’s a smart, veteran quarterback who can make plays with both his arm and his legs. Surrounding him are some top-notch receivers like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who are skilled at getting open and making clutch catches. You also have Jake Ferguson, a guy who’s quietly been making an impact.

On the ground, Javonte Williams is a workhorse. He’s tough to bring down and really good at finding holes. Then you have KaVontae Turpin, another fast receiver who can create big plays with his speed. When you mix all these players together, the Cowboys’ offense is hard to stop. They average around 384 yards per game and score more than 30 points each game — numbers that speak for themselves.

Coach Gannon Understands What’s Coming

Cardinals’ defensive coach Jonathan Gannon knows this won’t be easy. He got to know the Cowboys’ offense well during his time with the Eagles. Gannon pointed out how dangerous this team is with so many playmakers. He said the key for his defense is picking the right moments to step up. The Cowboys will get some yards—there’s no question about that—but his goal is to force them into tough situations and limit their big plays.

Arizona’s Defense Has Had Its Struggles

The Cardinals haven’t been sharp on defense lately. Before their bye week, they gave up 58 points in just two games, so they definitely need to clean things up fast. They need better tackling, stronger run defense, and sharper coverage to slow down a team like Dallas.

The good news? Some defensive players currently injured are expected to return soon, which could help tighten things up. Having fresh, healthy defenders back on the field would boost Arizona's chances quite a bit.

Inside Edge for Dallas

One interesting twist is that Dallas’ offensive coordinator, Klayton Adams, used to coach Arizona’s offensive line. He knows some of the Cardinals’ defensive tendencies, which can give Dallas a small edge in planning their offense. Gannon admitted it’s a factor, but both teams have new players and some different schemes. At the end of the day, it comes down to fundamentals, who blocks better, tackles harder, and makes the plays.

What to Watch for Monday Night

• For Arizona, pressuring Dak Prescott without leaving the secondary open is huge. If Prescott gets time, he can find the open man quickly.
  
  
• Stopping key receivers like CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens is critical. These guys make big catches that swing games.
  
  
• Shutting down Javonte Williams on the ground could force Dallas to become one-dimensional, which benefits the defense.
  
  
• Watch for the impact of any defensive stars coming back from injury, as they might provide the spark Arizona needs.
  
  
• How well Dallas uses their knowledge of Arizona’s defense could influence how creative they get with their plays.

More Than Just Defense vs. Offense

It’s not just about stopping points or gaining yards, momentum and energy are huge on Monday night games. The crowd, the atmosphere, even small mistakes made by either team could change how this goes. The Cardinals have home-field advantage, and if they feed off that energy, they might make things harder for Dallas than most expect.

Also, Arizona’s offense can’t afford to fall behind early. If the defense does its job and keeps the Cowboys’ scoring in check, the Cardinals’ offense will have a chance to control the clock and keep Dak Prescott and company off the field. It’s a team effort on both sides.

Containing Dallas’ offense is easier said than done, but finding where the real matchup edge lies is our specialty. At Bankroll U, our playmakers break down every scheme and stat to deliver picks as disciplined as the Cardinals hope their defense will be.