After splitting their first two games of the season -- both on the road -- the Arizona Cardinals are set to take on the Dallas Cowboys in their home opener at University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday Night Football.
Both teams come into the game 1-1. The Cards beat the Colts in overtime last weekend, while the Cowboys are coming off a 42-17 loss in Denver. So, who will win Monday? Here are a pair of predictions from the ABC15 sports team.
ABC15 sports director Craig Fouhy
Two teams come into Monday night’s game with just one win on the season. That’s almost enough to call this a must-win game for both teams. In fact, if you ask the players, none of them will confess to it, but they know there’s a lot riding on this one.
Look for Ezekiel Elliott to rush for more than 100 yards against the Cardinals' defense, and with the Cowboys' front seven, I don’t expect the Cards to rush for more than 80 yards or so. That said, the pressure to perform falls squarely on the shoulders of Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer. The good news for Carson is the fact that the Cowboys secondary is young and inexperienced -- but that won't be enough.
Cowboys 27, Cardinals 20
abc15.com sportswriter Shane Dale
The good news is the Cardinals could be a little bit healthier than they were during last week's game at the Colts: Offensive lineman Mike Iupati, tight end Jermaine Gresham and linebacker Deone Bucannon could all return to the field.
But the Cardinals will still be without star running back David Johnson, and Carson Palmer has yet to put together an inspiring performance this season. Dallas is coming off a blowout loss at the Broncos, but the Cardinals' defense hasn't been able to get sustained pressure on the quarterback this season.
Mobile quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott -- not to mention the 20,000-plus Cowboys fans who will infiltrate UOP Stadium -- will be too much for the Cards to handle. Dallas is a 3-point favorite heading into Monday night, and that sounds about right.
Cowboys 24, Cardinals 21
