Superb coaching performance leads Cardinals past the Cowboys

The Arizona Cardinals coaching staff executed a sensational gameplan during the team’s 25-22 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys

In preparing for a Week 17 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, the Arizona Cardinals coaches knew they had their work cut out for them.

Dallas was well-stocked with talent on both sides of the ball. Cards head coach Kliff Kingsbury and his staff would have to be at their best to come out of “Jerry World” with their first victory since December 5.

As it turned out, Kingsbury and company were downright masterful during the squad’s 25-22 win over the favored Cowboys. It was apparent that Arizona had come to Dallas with an excellent game plan, and the club was determined to execute it to the best of their ability.

Arizona Cardinals were tremendous in all three phases during Week 17 victory over Dallas Cowboys

It was an undermanned Cardinals defensive unit that took the field against the Cowboys this past Sunday. Coordinator Vance Joseph was up to the challenge, however, and came up with a scheme that put constant pressure on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. The two-time Pro Bowler was hurried all day by a myriad of blitzes that came from all directions.

The Cowboys running game was a non-factor as well. Ezekiel Elliott carried the rock nine times for a measly 16 yards. Dallas’ other ball-carrier, Tony Pollard, totaled three carries and gained just nine yards.

Jeff Rodgers, the Cards’ special teams coordinator/assistant head coach, also made a major contribution to the win. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was forced to burn a crucial timeout late in the third quarter when Rodgers had placekicker Matt Prater line up at wide receiver on a 4th down and five at the Dallas eight-yard line. The formation caused McCarthy to panic, and the squandering of the timeout cost him an opportunity to challenge what appeared to be a blown fumble call (Chase Edmonds was ruled down) by the officiating crew with time running out in the contest.

Kingsbury deserves kudos as well for his brilliance on Arizona’s time-killing drive to end the matchup. The Redbirds were nursing a three-point lead with 4:42 left in regulation and proceeded to run out the clock with some extraordinary play-calling. The offense held onto the ball for 10 plays (including three kneel-downs by Kyler Murray), and the Cowboys never got the ball back.

The Cardinals entered the clash with Dallas missing a bunch of key players. It was going to take a fantastic performance from the coaches for the squad to emerge victorious, and Kingsbury and his colleagues certainly delivered.