Cardinals vs Cowboys final score 28-17: Cardinals dominate Tony Romo-less Cowboys

Nov 2, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) runs the ball while defended by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Nick Hayden (96) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals took advantage of the Dallas Cowboys who were without quarterback Tony Romo to get a win and improve to an NFL best 7-1 record.

The Dallas Cowboys season started with a bang when they overcame a seasoning opening loss to string together a six-game win streak. They held the best record in the NFC before losing quarterback Tony Romo briefly to a back injury during their Monday Night Football clash against the NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins.

More from Arizona Cardinals

That loss was stunning given the Redskins struggles, which included starting third string quarterback Colt McCoy in the game.

On Sunday, the Cowboys faced the best team in the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals, as they look to bounce back. Further testing revealed that Tony Romo’s back injury was more severe than previously thought, holding him out of the game against the Cardinals.

It looked like the Cowboys were going to be headed for a long day, but things got off to a good start. Early in the game, Cowboys defensive back Tyler Patmon intercepted Carson Palmer and returned it 58 yards for the touchdown.

The Cowboys added a field goal to take a 10-0 lead and optimism was abound, but then all the fears that Cowboys fans had coming into the game began to be realized.

Palmer led the Cardinals down the field in the second quarter to get on the board with a touchdown pass to John Carlson. He added another touchdown pass to Jaron Brown to take a lead they’d never relinquish.

The Cowboys were going for a field goal at the end of the first half, which was blocked by the Cardinals. Cornerback Patrick Peterson picked it up and looked like he was going to return it for a touchdown, but Cowboys tight end Jason Witten tackled him after 60 yards to bail the Cowboys out.

With just under 10 minutes left in the game, the Cowboys were facing a fourth-and-1 situation from the Cardinals 34-yard line. The Cowboys went to DeMarco Murray, who has over 1,000 yards rushing this season already and is breaking records. Murray went straight up the middle and was stuffed.

The Cardinals got the ball on a turn over on downs and marched down the field to score another touchdown and extend the lead.

The Cardinals had a first-and-1 situation and the Cowboys almost held them to a field goal, but on third-and-1 Palmer found Andre Ellington for the touchdown.

On the Cowboys next drive, Brandon Weeden, who was filling in at quarterback for Romo, threw his second interception of the game to Antonio Cromartie, who returned it to Dallas’ 28-yard line.

Once again the Cowboys defense held the Cardinals to a third-and-one situation, but the Cardinals were able to punch the ball in on a run play up the middle that looked like it could’ve been called either way. The play was reviewed by the replay official and the play was upheld, putting the Cowboys in a 28-10 hole with little hope.

The Cowboys were able to march down the field in three minutes to get another touchdown, making it 28-17 with a little over a minute left in the game. The scoring play was a short 3-yard pass from Weeden to wide receiver Dez Bryant.

The Cowboys went for an onsides kick, but the Cardinals recovered it to end the game.

Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray had rushed for over a 100 yards in each game this season, but that streak came to an end against the Cardinals with him rushing for 79 yards on 19 carries.

More from FanSided

Home/Arizona Cardinals