Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats
The arizona cardinals vs dallas cowboys match player stats from the August 23, 2026, NFL preseason game reveal how Dallas secured a convincing 34-13 victory through efficient quarterback play, explosive receiving gains, and a productive rushing attack. The Cowboys scored in every quarter, while Arizona struggled to convert its passing production into touchdowns. Joe Milton delivered two touchdown passes for Dallas, Camden Brown recorded 77 receiving yards, and Jaydon Blue led the Cowboys on the ground with 75 rushing yards.
Played during the preseason, this matchup offered a useful look at individual performances, offensive execution, defensive contributions, and special teams production. Dallas finished with 413 yards of total offense when its 238 passing yards and 175 rushing yards are combined. Arizona produced 325 total yards, including 190 through the air and 135 on the ground. Although the Cardinals completed more passes, Dallas generated more yards per passing attempt and found the end zone more often.
This breakdown covers the final score, quarterback statistics, rushing and receiving leaders, defensive performances, turnovers, kicking numbers, and the most important statistical differences between the teams. Because this was a preseason contest, the numbers are best understood as a snapshot of individual performance and team execution rather than a definitive prediction of regular-season success.
Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 on August 23, 2026. Dallas established control early, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and another 10 in the second. Arizona did not score in the opening quarter and managed only six points before halftime.
The Cowboys added three points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth. Arizona scored its only touchdown in the third quarter, but the Cardinals could not build on that momentum during the final period.
Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Results
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Dallas Cowboys | 14 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 34 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
Dallas won by 21 points, a margin that reflected its stronger scoring efficiency and ability to turn offensive opportunities into points.
The first-half difference was especially important. Dallas scored 24 points before the break, while Arizona had only six. The Cardinals improved their scoring output in the third quarter, but the Cowboys responded with a touchdown in the fourth to maintain a comfortable lead.
Team Performance at a Glance
| Statistical Category | Dallas Cowboys | Arizona Cardinals |
| Final score | 34 | 13 |
| Passing completions | 16 | 21 |
| Passing attempts | 23 | 30 |
| Passing yards | 238 | 190 |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Rushing attempts | 34 | 26 |
| Rushing yards | 175 | 135 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
| Total receiving yards | 244 | 207 |
| Sacks recorded by defense | 2 | 1 |
| Total tackles | 71 | 66 |
| Field goals made | 2 | 2 |
| Extra points made | 4 | 1 |
The passing and receiving totals come from different statistical categories and should not be added together when calculating total offense. Passing yards measure the yards credited to the passing game, while receiving yards identify the production of the players catching those passes. Team total offense is calculated by combining passing and rushing yards.
Dallas gained 413 yards of total offense, compared with Arizona’s 325. The 88-yard advantage was meaningful, but the difference in touchdowns was even more striking. Dallas scored four offensive touchdowns, while Arizona recorded one rushing touchdown and no passing touchdowns.
The Cowboys also had more rushing attempts and gained 40 additional rushing yards. That balance helped them sustain drives and reduced their reliance on passing alone.
Dallas Cowboys Passing Stats
Quarterback performance was one of the clearest differences in the game. Joe Milton delivered an efficient performance for Dallas, completing nine of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. Sam Howell completed seven of 10 attempts for 65 yards, but he threw an interception and did not record a touchdown pass.
Together, the quarterbacks completed 16 of 23 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Joe Milton’s Passing Performance
| Statistic | Joe Milton |
| Completions | 9 |
| Attempts | 13 |
| Completion percentage | 69.2% |
| Passing yards | 179 |
| Yards per attempt | 13.8 |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer rating | 151.4 |
Milton’s 179 passing yards accounted for approximately 75% of Dallas’s total passing yardage. His 13.8 yards per attempt showed how effectively the Cowboys generated significant gains through the air.
A completion percentage of 69.2% is solid, but the more revealing figure is the average gain per attempt. Milton averaged 13.8 yards each time he threw the ball, including incomplete passes in the calculation. That figure suggests Dallas was not simply relying on short, low-risk completions.
His two touchdown passes also separated his performance from Arizona’s quarterback production. Dallas converted passing opportunities into points, while the Cardinals finished with no passing touchdowns.
The available statistics support the conclusion that Milton had the most productive passing performance of the game. They do not, on their own, establish how he performed on every down, how much pressure he faced on individual plays, or whether every completion came against a particular defensive personnel group.
Sam Howell’s Passing Numbers
| Statistic | Sam Howell |
| Completions | 7 |
| Attempts | 10 |
| Completion percentage | 70.0% |
| Passing yards | 65 |
| Yards per attempt | 6.5 |
| Passing touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Sacks taken | 1 |
| Sack yardage | 6 |
| Passer rating | 47.9 |
Howell completed 70% of his passes, slightly higher than Milton’s completion percentage. However, completion percentage alone does not measure the full value of a quarterback’s performance.
Howell averaged 6.5 yards per attempt, less than half of Milton’s reported 13.8. He also threw one interception and failed to produce a passing touchdown. These figures explain why his passer rating was considerably lower despite his respectable completion rate.
The difference illustrates why quarterback evaluation should include several measurements:
- Completion percentage shows how frequently attempted passes are completed.
- Passing yards measure the yardage credited to the passing game.
- Yards per attempt provide context about passing efficiency.
- Touchdowns show how often the quarterback finishes a scoring opportunity with a touchdown pass.
- Interceptions identify passes caught by the opposing defense.
- Sacks indicate plays in which the quarterback is brought down behind the line of scrimmage under the official scoring rules.
No single statistic tells the complete story. In this game, however, Milton’s combination of yardage, touchdowns, and zero interceptions gives him the stronger statistical case.
Arizona Cardinals Passing Stats
Gardner Minshew II led Arizona’s passing attack, completing 19 of 23 attempts for 177 yards. He did not throw a touchdown and was intercepted once. Kedon Slovis also saw action, completing two of seven attempts for 30 yards.
The Cardinals finished with 21 completions on 30 attempts, 190 passing yards, no passing touchdowns, and one interception.
Gardner Minshew II’s Passing Numbers
| Statistic | Gardner Minshew II |
| Completions | 19 |
| Attempts | 23 |
| Completion percentage | 82.6% |
| Passing yards | 177 |
| Yards per attempt | 7.7 |
| Passing touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Sacks taken | 1 |
| Sack yardage | 8 |
| Passer rating | 80.6 |
Minshew’s completion percentage was the highest among the four quarterbacks listed in the supplied box score. He completed more than four out of every five attempts, giving Arizona a dependable rate of completed passes.
However, his average of 7.7 yards per attempt was below Milton’s 13.8. Minshew’s 177 passing yards were also achieved without a touchdown pass.
This is an important distinction when reviewing the box score. A quarterback can complete many passes and move the ball between the 20-yard lines without finishing drives with touchdowns. Scoring depends on more than passing accuracy, including red-zone execution, running plays, defensive resistance, penalties, and the sequence of individual plays.
Minshew’s numbers show that he completed passes consistently. They do not show that Arizona’s passing game was as explosive or as productive on the scoreboard as Dallas’s.
Kedon Slovis’s Passing Performance
| Statistic | Kedon Slovis |
| Completions | 2 |
| Attempts | 7 |
| Completion percentage | 28.6% |
| Passing yards | 30 |
| Yards per attempt | 4.3 |
| Passing touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Sacks taken | 1 |
| Sack yardage | 9 |
| Passer rating | 44.9 |
Slovis completed two passes for 30 yards and did not throw an interception. However, his seven attempts included five incompletions, and he took one sack for nine yards.
His limited statistical output contrasts with Minshew’s more productive passing line. Since this was a preseason game, the numbers should be considered within the context of the opportunities recorded in the box score. They should not be treated as sufficient evidence to determine a quarterback’s long-term potential or future role.
Comparing the Four Quarterbacks
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Passing Yards | Yards per Attempt | TDs | INTs | Passer Rating |
| Joe Milton | 9/13 | 179 | 13.8 | 2 | 0 | 151.4 |
| Sam Howell | 7/10 | 65 | 6.5 | 0 | 1 | 47.9 |
| Gardner Minshew II | 19/23 | 177 | 7.7 | 0 | 1 | 80.6 |
| Kedon Slovis | 2/7 | 30 | 4.3 | 0 | 0 | 44.9 |
Milton led the group in passing touchdowns, passing yards per attempt, and passer rating. Minshew led in completions, passing attempts, and completion percentage.
These results demonstrate why a statistical comparison should distinguish volume from efficiency. Minshew completed the most passes, but Milton produced the strongest scoring and explosive-passing numbers.
Dallas Cowboys Rushing Stats
Dallas recorded 34 rushing attempts for 175 yards and two rushing touchdowns. The team averaged 5.1 yards per carry, giving the Cowboys a productive ground attack alongside their passing game.
Jaydon Blue led Dallas with 75 rushing yards on 15 carries. Israel Abanikanda added 39 yards, while Malik Davis gained 29. Phil Mafah recorded a rushing touchdown on his only carry.
Jaydon Blue Leads Dallas on the Ground
| Statistic | Jaydon Blue |
| Carries | 15 |
| Rushing yards | 75 |
| Average per carry | 5.0 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest run | 15 yards |
Blue accounted for 75 of Dallas’s 175 team rushing yards, or approximately 42.9%. His 15 carries also represented a substantial share of the Cowboys’ 34 rushing attempts.
His five-yard average per carry was consistent with the team’s overall average of 5.1. That indicates Blue contributed effectively to a rushing attack that remained productive across multiple players.
The longest run credited to Blue was 15 yards. While that figure does not represent a single game-changing breakaway, his overall yardage shows that he consistently contributed to the team’s ground production.
Other Dallas Rushing Contributors
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TDs | Longest Run |
| Israel Abanikanda | 8 | 39 | 4.9 | 0 | 9 |
| Malik Davis | 5 | 29 | 5.8 | 0 | 13 |
| Phil Mafah | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 1 | 15 |
| Anthony Smith | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Sam Howell | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 |
| Joe Milton | 3 | 2 | 0.7 | 1 | 2 |
| Jaydon Blue | 15 | 75 | 5.0 | 0 | 15 |
| Team total | 34 | 175 | 5.1 | 2 | 15 |
Abanikanda supplied 39 yards on eight carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. Davis averaged 5.8 yards on five carries and produced 29 rushing yards.
Mafah’s numbers were particularly notable in a small sample. His only carry went for 15 yards and a touchdown. That was an efficient scoring contribution, although a single attempt is too small a sample to establish a player’s normal rushing efficiency.
Milton recorded three carries for two yards and a touchdown. The low average reflects the limited yardage credited to his rushing attempts, while the touchdown shows that one of those plays produced a scoring result.
Dallas’s distribution of carries meant the offense could use several runners rather than depend entirely on one player. That variety contributed to the team’s 175 rushing yards.
Arizona Cardinals Rushing Stats
Arizona recorded 26 carries for 135 yards and one rushing touchdown. The Cardinals averaged 5.2 yards per carry, slightly above Dallas’s team average of 5.1.
Evan Hull led the team with 51 rushing yards, while Tre Stewart averaged an impressive 20.0 yards per carry on two attempts. Corey Kiner scored Arizona’s rushing touchdown.
Evan Hull’s Rushing Performance
| Statistic | Evan Hull |
| Carries | 11 |
| Rushing yards | 51 |
| Average per carry | 4.6 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest run | 13 yards |
Hull led Arizona in rushing attempts and rushing yards. His 11 carries represented more than 42% of the team’s 26 attempts, and he produced 51 yards.
His average of 4.6 yards per carry was below Arizona’s team average. This difference is possible because other players, including Stewart, gained more yards per attempt and raised the overall figure.
Hull’s role in the box score was primarily one of volume. He provided a substantial share of the Cardinals’ ground production, even though he did not record a rushing touchdown.
Tre Stewart and Corey Kiner
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Average | TDs | Longest Run |
| Tre Stewart | 2 | 40 | 20.0 | 0 | 29 |
| Corey Kiner | 10 | 29 | 2.9 | 1 | 7 |
| Evan Hull | 11 | 51 | 4.6 | 0 | 13 |
| Kedon Slovis | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 |
| Gardner Minshew II | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Team total | 26 | 135 | 5.2 | 1 | 29 |
Stewart gained 40 yards on just two carries. His 29-yard longest run helped produce a high average of 20 yards per attempt. However, his small number of attempts means that one successful run had a major effect on the average.
Kiner carried the ball 10 times for 29 yards and scored Arizona’s only rushing touchdown. His 2.9 yards per carry was below the team average, but his touchdown gave the Cardinals a scoring contribution that the passing game did not provide.
Slovis added 11 rushing yards on one attempt, while Minshew recorded four yards on two carries.
Rushing Comparison: Dallas vs Arizona
Dallas gained 175 rushing yards, 40 more than Arizona’s 135. The Cardinals had the higher team average per carry, at 5.2 compared with Dallas’s 5.1, but the Cowboys attempted eight more rushes.
This comparison highlights the difference between average efficiency and total production. Arizona’s average was marginally higher, yet Dallas generated more yards because it ran the ball more frequently.
Dallas also scored two rushing touchdowns compared with Arizona’s one. The Cowboys’ ability to combine passing touchdowns with rushing scores gave them more ways to finish drives.
Dallas Cowboys Receiving Stats
Dallas receivers combined for 16 catches, 244 receiving yards, and two touchdowns on 23 targets. The team averaged 15.3 yards per reception, with Camden Brown recording the longest reception at 70 yards.
Brown led the Cowboys in receiving yards with 77. Jonathan Mingo finished with 62 yards and a touchdown, while Zack Kuntz caught three passes for 36 yards.
Camden Brown Leads the Cowboys
| Statistic | Camden Brown |
| Receptions | 2 |
| Targets | 4 |
| Receiving yards | 77 |
| Yards per reception | 38.5 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest reception | 70 yards |
Brown’s 77 yards were the highest individual receiving total listed for Dallas. He averaged 38.5 yards per catch, a figure heavily influenced by his 70-yard reception.
That long gain was the most significant individual reception in the supplied Dallas receiving statistics. It illustrates how one explosive play can change a team’s overall receiving average and generate a large portion of a player’s total yardage.
Brown caught two of four targets, so his reception total was modest compared with his yardage output. This is an important statistical distinction: a receiver does not need a large number of catches to lead a team in yards if those receptions produce substantial gains.
Jonathan Mingo’s Touchdown Contribution
| Statistic | Jonathan Mingo |
| Receptions | 2 |
| Targets | 3 |
| Receiving yards | 62 |
| Yards per reception | 31.0 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1 |
| Longest reception | 53 yards |
Mingo produced 62 yards on two receptions and scored a touchdown. His 53-yard longest reception accounted for most of his receiving yardage.
Brown led the Cowboys in total receiving yards, but Mingo also delivered a direct scoring contribution. The two performances demonstrate different forms of value: Brown generated the largest individual yardage total, while Mingo paired substantial gains with a touchdown.
Other Dallas Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average | TDs | Longest |
| Zack Kuntz | 3 | 4 | 36 | 12.0 | 0 | 25 |
| Luke Schoonmaker | 1 | 1 | 19 | 19.0 | 0 | 19 |
| Anthony Smith | 2 | 4 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 | 10 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 1 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 0 | 14 |
| Malik Davis | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 1 | 8 |
| Jordan Hudson | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Tyler Johnson | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 6 |
| Denzel Mims | 1 | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | -1 |
Kuntz led the listed Dallas receivers in receptions with three. He produced 36 yards, demonstrating that receiving production was spread beyond the players who recorded the longest gains.
Schoonmaker and Valdes-Scantling each caught one pass on one target. Schoonmaker gained 19 yards, while Valdes-Scantling gained 14.
Malik Davis added a receiving touchdown on one catch for eight yards. His contribution is notable because he also rushed for 29 yards, giving him production in both the running and passing games.
Tyler Johnson caught two passes but gained only three yards. Mims recorded one reception for minus one yard. These figures show why catch totals should always be read alongside receiving yardage and scoring contributions.
Arizona Cardinals Receiving Stats
Arizona receivers recorded 21 receptions for 207 yards on 29 targets. The team averaged 9.9 yards per reception and did not record a receiving touchdown.
Simi Fehoko led the Cardinals with 42 receiving yards, while Rivaldo Fairweather led the team in receptions with five. Reggie Virgil and Shawn Bowman each recorded two catches and contributed more than 20 receiving yards.
Simi Fehoko Leads Arizona in Receiving Yards
| Statistic | Simi Fehoko |
| Receptions | 2 |
| Targets | 3 |
| Receiving yards | 42 |
| Yards per reception | 21.0 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest reception | 37 yards |
Fehoko led Arizona in receiving yards with 42 on two receptions. His 21.0 yards per catch indicate that his receptions generated meaningful gains, although his total yardage remained below Brown’s and Mingo’s figures for Dallas.
Fehoko’s longest reception was 37 yards. The play helped him finish as Arizona’s leading receiver by yardage, but he did not score a touchdown.
Rivaldo Fairweather Leads in Receptions
| Statistic | Rivaldo Fairweather |
| Receptions | 5 |
| Targets | 5 |
| Receiving yards | 39 |
| Yards per reception | 7.8 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest reception | 13 yards |
Fairweather caught all five of his targets for 39 yards. He recorded the highest reception total among Arizona’s listed players and provided a reliable completion option.
His average of 7.8 yards per reception was lower than Fehoko’s, but Fairweather’s role in the statistics was based on repeated catches rather than a small number of longer gains.
This difference matters when comparing receiver performance. A player with more catches may contribute to drive continuity, while a player with fewer receptions can lead in yardage by producing longer plays.
Other Arizona Receiving Contributors
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average | TDs | Longest |
| Reggie Virgil | 2 | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 0 | 14 |
| Shawn Bowman | 2 | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 0 | 14 |
| Bryson Green | 1 | 5 | 18 | 18.0 | 0 | 18 |
| Ihmir Smith-Marsette | 3 | 4 | 16 | 5.3 | 0 | 12 |
| Evan Hull | 2 | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | 11 |
| Jalen Brooks | 2 | 3 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Teagan Quitoriano | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| Corey Kiner | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
Virgil and Bowman each recorded two catches, producing 26 and 23 yards, respectively. Green gained 18 yards on his only reception, while Smith-Marsette recorded three catches for 16 yards.
Hull and Brooks each gained 14 receiving yards. Quitoriano added nine yards, and Kiner caught one pass for six yards.
The main issue for Arizona was not a complete absence of completed passes or receiving yardage. The team recorded 21 catches and 207 receiving yards. Instead, the supplied statistics show that the Cardinals failed to turn any of those receptions into a receiving touchdown.
Receiving Comparison
Dallas finished with 244 receiving yards, compared with Arizona’s 207. The Cowboys averaged 15.3 yards per reception, while the Cardinals averaged 9.9.
Dallas also recorded two receiving touchdowns. Arizona recorded none.
The gap in average yards per catch points to a difference in explosive passing production. Brown and Mingo both had receptions longer than 50 yards, while Fehoko’s longest reception for Arizona was 37 yards.
These figures do not reveal every detail of route design or defensive coverage, but they show how Dallas gained more yardage from fewer receptions. The Cowboys finished with 16 catches, five fewer than Arizona, yet gained 37 more receiving yards.
Defensive Player Stats and Turnovers
Defense played an important role in the final result. Dallas recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, four passes defended, and one interception. Arizona recorded one sack, four tackles for loss, one pass defended, and one interception.
Dallas finished with 71 total tackles and 35 solo tackles. Arizona recorded 66 total tackles and 36 solo tackles.
Team Defensive Comparison
| Defensive Category | Dallas Cowboys | Arizona Cardinals |
| Total tackles | 71 | 66 |
| Solo tackles | 35 | 36 |
| Sacks | 2 | 1 |
| Tackles for loss | 3 | 4 |
| Passes defended | 4 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| Quarterback hits | 3 | 3 |
| Defensive touchdowns | 0 | 0 |
The tackle totals were relatively close, but Dallas recorded more sacks and passes defended. Arizona had one additional tackle for loss, and both teams recorded three quarterback hits.
Dallas’s four passes defended compared with Arizona’s one indicate a greater number of credited defensive plays that disrupted or prevented completions. However, these totals do not independently establish the overall quality of every defensive series.
Shavon Revel Jr.’s Interception
Shavon Revel Jr. led Dallas in interceptions with one. He returned the interception for 22 yards and did not score a defensive touchdown.
An interception can change possession and create a scoring opportunity. The 22-yard return also gave Dallas additional field position, although the box score alone does not establish what happened on every subsequent play.
Dallas finished with one interception as a team. That total matched Arizona’s one interception, recorded by Isaiah Oliver. Oliver’s interception return covered zero yards, and he did not score.
The equal interception totals mean turnovers alone do not explain the final score. The broader comparison must also account for passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, yardage, and kicking.
Sack Production and Defensive Pressure
Dallas recorded two sacks for the game, while Arizona recorded one. Both defenses registered three quarterback hits.
Sacks are valuable because they end the passing play behind the line of scrimmage and can create lost yardage. They can also place an offense in a less favorable down-and-distance situation.
Dallas’s sack advantage was modest, but it formed part of a broader statistical performance that included more passes defended and more total offensive yards. The data does not include enough play-by-play detail to attribute every scoring difference directly to defensive pressure.
Fumbles
The supplied box score records one fumble by Malik Davis for Dallas, with zero fumbles lost and one recovery. No Arizona fumbles were recorded.
A fumble does not automatically count as a turnover. The key distinction is whether the opposing team recovers possession. In this game, the supplied statistics indicate that Dallas did not lose possession through Davis’s fumble.
Special Teams and Kicking Statistics
Special teams provided another clear scoring difference. Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey converted both field-goal attempts and all four extra-point attempts. Arizona kicker Chad Ryland made two of three field goals and converted his only extra-point attempt.
Kicking Comparison
| Statistic | Brandon Aubrey, Dallas | Chad Ryland, Arizona |
| Field goals made | 2 | 2 |
| Field goals attempted | 2 | 3 |
| Field-goal accuracy | 100% | 66.7% |
| Longest field goal | 50 yards | 38 yards |
| Extra points made | 4 | 1 |
| Extra points attempted | 4 | 1 |
| Total points | 10 | 7 |
Aubrey scored 10 points through two field goals and four extra points. Ryland scored seven points through two field goals and one extra point.
Both kickers made two field goals, but Aubrey converted every attempt and connected from a longer distance. Ryland missed one of his three attempts.
The difference in extra-point totals also reflects the teams’ offensive scoring. Dallas recorded four touchdowns, while Arizona scored one. Extra-point opportunities depend on touchdowns, so the figures should not be interpreted as a direct measure of kicking quality alone.
Kick Returns
Dallas recorded four kick returns for 97 yards, averaging 24.3 yards per return. Arizona recorded six returns for 160 yards, averaging 26.7 yards per return.
| Team | Returns | Return Yards | Average | Longest Return |
| Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 97 | 24.3 | 31 yards |
| Arizona Cardinals | 6 | 160 | 26.7 | 35 yards |
Arizona had the advantage in total kick-return yardage and average return distance. Ihmir Smith-Marsette led the Cardinals with two returns for 67 yards, including a 35-yard return. Xavier Weaver added 41 yards on two returns.
Dallas’s Malik Davis recorded a 31-yard return on one attempt. Phil Mafah returned two kicks for 40 yards, and Blue recorded one return for 26 yards.
Arizona’s return advantage did not translate into a victory. That is an important reminder that special teams yardage is only one part of the overall game. The offense still needs to convert field position into points, and the defense must prevent the opponent from scoring.
Punting
The supplied box score lists no Dallas punts. Arizona recorded two punts for 83 yards, averaging 41.5 yards per punt. One punt resulted in a touchback, and neither was recorded as landing inside the 20-yard line.
Punting totals can provide context about how frequently an offense failed to sustain a drive, but they must be interpreted carefully. Preseason games often involve different personnel combinations and substitutions. The absence of a Dallas punt in this box score is a factual game statistic, not proof that the team will consistently avoid punting in regular-season play.
Why Dallas Won: The Most Important Statistical Differences
The 34-13 result can be understood through several connected factors. Dallas gained more total yards, produced more passing touchdowns, scored more rushing touchdowns, and generated greater receiving yardage per catch.
1. Dallas Produced More Explosive Passing Yardage
The Cowboys finished with 238 passing yards on 23 attempts. Arizona gained 190 passing yards on 30 attempts.
Milton’s 13.8 yards per attempt was a major difference. Dallas gained 48 more passing yards despite attempting seven fewer passes.
That combination suggests the Cowboys were more productive per passing attempt in this matchup. It does not establish that every Dallas passing drive was successful, but it clearly identifies the team’s greater passing efficiency in the supplied statistics.
2. The Cowboys Converted Passing Plays Into Touchdowns
Dallas recorded two passing touchdowns. Arizona recorded none.
Minshew completed 19 passes, but none resulted in a passing touchdown. Milton completed nine passes and produced two touchdown passes.
This difference demonstrates why completions and touchdowns must be considered together. Completing a pass moves the ball, but the ultimate value of a drive depends on whether the offense reaches scoring range and finishes with points.
3. Dallas Had More Rushing Volume
Dallas ran the ball 34 times, compared with Arizona’s 26. The Cowboys produced 175 rushing yards, 40 more than the Cardinals.
Arizona’s average per carry was slightly higher, but Dallas’s additional attempts helped the team build a larger overall rushing total.
The Cowboys also scored two rushing touchdowns, compared with one for Arizona. Combined with their passing touchdowns, this gave Dallas a more varied scoring profile.
4. Dallas Generated More Receiving Yards Per Catch
The Cowboys averaged 15.3 yards per reception, while Arizona averaged 9.9. Brown and Mingo provided the most prominent explosive gains in the Dallas receiving statistics.
Arizona’s 21 receptions were more than Dallas’s 16, but the Cardinals finished with fewer receiving yards. The difference shows that reception volume alone is not enough to evaluate a passing offense.
5. Scoring Was Concentrated in Dallas’s First Half
Dallas scored 24 first-half points, compared with Arizona’s six. The 18-point halftime difference put the Cardinals in a difficult position.
Arizona did score seven points in the third quarter, but Dallas added a field goal in that period and a touchdown in the fourth. The Cardinals failed to score in the final quarter.
The quarter-by-quarter breakdown provides a clear explanation for the final margin without requiring unsupported assumptions about individual play calls or coaching decisions.
How to Interpret Preseason Match Player Statistics
Preseason statistics can help readers understand individual performances, but they require a different approach from regular-season statistics.
Coaches often rotate players, test different combinations, and evaluate athletes in limited opportunities. The supplied box score does not provide each player’s full snap count, assignment, or exact circumstances for every play. Those missing details limit what can be concluded from the numbers alone.
A useful analysis separates three questions.
What happened in the game? This is answered directly by the box score. Dallas won 34-13, Milton threw two touchdown passes, Blue led Dallas in rushing, and Fehoko led Arizona in receiving yards.
Which performances were statistically strongest? This requires comparing multiple categories. Milton led the quarterbacks in touchdown passes and yards per attempt, while Minshew led in completions and completion percentage. Brown led Dallas in receiving yards, and Hull led Arizona in rushing yards.
What might the numbers mean for future games? This question requires caution. A single preseason performance cannot reliably establish a player’s future role, regular-season efficiency, or long-term development. A stronger projection would require additional games, playing-time information, injury context, roster decisions, and performance against different opponents.
For readers reviewing a box score, the most reliable method is to begin with the official figures, compare players within the same statistical category, and avoid turning one performance into a broad prediction.
Source and Statistical Accuracy
The figures in this article are based on the supplied ESPN box-score data for the Dallas Cowboys versus Arizona Cardinals preseason game dated August 23, 2026.
The full game record can be checked in the ESPN NFL box score.
One distinction is important when interpreting the numbers: team passing yards, individual receiving yards, and total offense are related but different measures. The Cowboys’ 238 passing yards and 175 rushing yards combine to produce 413 yards of total offense. Their 244 receiving yards are a separate receiving statistic and should not be added to passing yards again.
Likewise, a player’s longest reception or longest run is not the same as their total yardage. A single long play can influence an average significantly, especially when a player has only a few attempts or catches.
The supplied statistics also do not establish every detail of play selection, defensive coverage, player snap counts, or coaching decisions. Those subjects should not be presented as verified facts without additional evidence.
The most defensible conclusion from the available data is straightforward: Dallas had the stronger overall offensive output, produced four offensive touchdowns, and won by 21 points. Arizona gained useful yardage in both the passing and rushing games but did not generate a passing touchdown and scored only 13 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the final score of the Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys game?
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 on August 23, 2026, in an NFL preseason game. Dallas scored 14 points in the first quarter and 10 in the second.
2. How many passing yards did Joe Milton record?
Joe Milton completed nine of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He threw no interceptions and recorded a passer rating of 151.4.
3. Who led the Cowboys in rushing yards?
Jaydon Blue led Dallas with 75 rushing yards on 15 carries. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry and recorded a longest run of 15 yards.
4. Who was Arizona’s leading receiver?
Simi Fehoko led Arizona in receiving yards with 42 on two receptions. Rivaldo Fairweather led the Cardinals in receptions, catching five passes for 39 yards.
5. How many total passing yards did each team record?
Dallas recorded 238 passing yards, while Arizona recorded 190. Dallas also recorded two passing touchdowns, compared with none for Arizona.
6. Why did the Cowboys win by 21 points?
Dallas combined 238 passing yards with 175 rushing yards, recorded two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, and scored 24 first-half points. Arizona finished with 325 total offensive yards and 13 points.
Conclusion
The Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys preseason matchup ended with a 34-13 Dallas victory, supported by stronger scoring production and a more explosive passing attack. The Cowboys finished with 413 total offensive yards, compared with Arizona’s 325, and converted their opportunities into four offensive touchdowns.
Joe Milton was Dallas’s leading quarterback statistically, throwing for 179 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Jaydon Blue led the rushing attack with 75 yards, while Camden Brown topped the receiving chart with 77 yards. Jonathan Mingo also made a significant contribution by recording 62 receiving yards and a touchdown.
For Arizona, Gardner Minshew completed 19 passes for 177 yards, Evan Hull led the team with 51 rushing yards, and Simi Fehoko finished as the leading receiver with 42 yards. The Cardinals also averaged slightly more yards per rushing attempt and produced more kick-return yardage, but those advantages were not enough to overcome Dallas’s scoring efficiency.
The key lesson from the match player statistics is that yardage, completion percentage, and return production must be evaluated alongside touchdowns and overall scoring. Arizona recorded more passing completions and receptions, yet Dallas generated more total offense and won comfortably. Because this was a preseason game, the results offer a useful record of individual performances on that date rather than a definitive forecast of either team’s regular-season performance.
