Arizona Heads to Dallas: 5 Things to Know

The Arizona Cardinals (6-1) head to Jerry’s World to meet the Dallas Cowboys (6-2) Sunday at 1 pm ET. This will feature a matchup of division leaders and potential Super Bowl contenders. This could be the game of the week, better yet, the game of the year! Here’s five things you need to know for Sunday.

5. Injuries

Cowboys

Quarterback Tony Romo suffered a back injury Monday when he was hit in the same area where he underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk this offseason. He briefly left the game but returned in overtime only as the Cowboys were defeated by the Washington Redskins. An MRI revealed that the injury seems to be just a deep bruise and separate from the injury that resulted in surgery. Romo will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s game and if he can deal with the pain, I expect him to go. If he can’t, backup quarterback Brandon Weeden will get the nod.

On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys lost starting linebacker Justin Durant to season-ending injured reserve with a torn right bicep Monday. He led the team with 49 tackles. The Cowboys already lost LB Sean Lee in the offseason to an ACL injury. Questions loom for the Cowboys on the defense side of the ball.

Cardinals

Shutdown cornerback Patrick Peterson suffered a concussion when he collided with Jeremy Maclin of the Eagles last week. Peterson clearly suffered the worst of the hit as he left the game while Maclin torched the rest of the secondary in his absence. With that being said, Peterson returned to practice on Wednesday and is expected to play on Sunday. He will matchup with Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant in a battle of two absolute studs.

4. Fitz has still got it

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals scored on an 80-yard catch and run last Sunday showing a burst of speed to find the end zone. Anyone who doubts that he can still get it done at age 31 are eating their words after watching his 7/160/1 performance against the Eagles this past weekend.

3. Carson Palmer is FOR REAL

Quarterback Carson Palmer of the Arizona Cardinals has thrown for eight touchdowns and just one interception in four games this season. He delivered an absolute dime to WR John Brown for the game winning score against the Eagles last week. The 12th year man has a QBR of 98.3 this season. Palmer looks to torch a Cowboys defense that is riddled with injuries.

2. DeMarco Murray & Andre Ellington will touch the rock 20+ times

The Cowboys’ DeMarco Murray leads the NFL in rushing with 1,054 yards in just eight games. He is averaging 25.7 attempts per game and also has 26 receptions out of the backfield. Murray is on pace to run the ball 412 times. The possible matchup to watch is Murray against this Cardinals defense who has been stifling against the run all year.

The Cardinals’ Andre Ellington is averaging 18.7 rushing attempts per game but also is providing in the passing game. He has 28 receptions for 274 yards and a touchdown. Ellington has been limited in practice all year with a foot injury, but that hasn't hindered his game performance. Look for Ellington to run all over the dinged up Cowboys defense.

1. Betting Line: Cowboys -4

Vegas has the Cowboys favored by 4. This will likely fluctuate heading into game-time as Romo’s status becomes more certain. The Cardinals have been consistent all year as they are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS. I’m taking the Cardinals to win straight up here even if Romo plays. The Cowboys have fooled everyone so far this season. But on this Halloween weekend, even a costume can’t disguise who the Cowboys really are: PRETENDERS.

Prediction: 27-17 Cardinals

Comment below and tell me what YOU think is going to happen Cowboys fans. I know you’re disagreeing with me somewhere!