The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) host the Arizona Cardinals (2-5) in Week 8 looking to snap a four-game losing streak against their NFC West rivals. Arizona has won eight of the last nine meetings dating back to 2008, including four consecutive victories. Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, in his seventh NFL season, has never beaten the Cardinals, losing all four matchups since he was drafted in 2020.
After practice on Thursday, Lamb acknowledged the Cardinals' edge. "I've never beaten the Cardinals since I've been in the league. So that's fair to say," Lamb said. "I wouldn't say [we have a] heightened focus, but it's definitely a note to take. It's just crazy. We've been very relaxed, and they've punched us in the mouth every single time. They've always had more energy." He added that regardless of game time — whether noon, Monday night, or Sunday night — Arizona has brought greater intensity, and the Cowboys must match or overpower that energy.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer offered a different explanation, pointing to turnover differential. Across the nine matchups since 2008, Dallas holds a minus-11 turnover margin (15 turnovers to four takeaways). In last season's Monday Night Football loss, the Cowboys committed three turnovers without a takeaway, falling into a 17-point deficit early in the second half. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw an interception, while running back Javonte Williams and tight end Jake Ferguson lost fumbles. Schottenheimer noted that Arizona's 2025 win was the only victory in 12 starts for Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett that year. "I'll disagree with CeeDee a little bit," Schottenheimer said Friday. "I know why: minus-11 turnover differential in those games. Last year, we were minus-three. So the ball is what this game is going to come down to. I don't think it has to do with energy."
The Cowboys' 2026 season underscores the turnover trend: Dallas has committed zero turnovers in each of its three wins, while all four losses have featured at least one giveaway. Recent results show Arizona's dominance: a 27-17 win in Week 9 last season, 28-16 in Week 3 2023, 25-22 in Week 17 2021, 38-10 in Week 6 2020, and earlier victories in 2017, 2014, 2011, 2010, and 2008. Dallas' lone win in the span came in 2017.
Entering Week 8, the Cowboys are seven-point home favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Arizona ranks as the NFL's worst scoring defense, allowing 29.7 points per game, and the league's worst red zone offense, converting just 42.9% of drives into touchdowns. Dallas boasts the No. 5 scoring offense at 27.0 points per game, and new cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has steadied the secondary. "We got to win," Prescott said Thursday. "They've had our number these last couple of years. Credit to their defense, credit to the way that those guys come in and play and execute. It's a new year. We just have to make sure we go out and take care of business."
