NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 17 Game Recap: Arizona Cardinals 25, Dallas Cowboys 22

Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals hung on to beat the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys 25-22. The Cowboys were fighting from behind throughout the day but cut the lead down to the 3 with a late touchdown and two-point conversion. However, they could not stop the Cardinals on the ensuing drive from gaining enough first downs to run out the clock.

The win keeps the Cardinals alive for the NFC West crown as they welcome the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18. The Cowboys head to Philadelphia in a battle for playoff seeding.

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Dallas Cowboys

Quarterback

Dak Prescott finished with just 6.0 yards per attempt with an average depth of target of just 4.9 yards as he tried to get the ball out as quickly as possible. His average time to throw was 2.13 seconds. Even when kept clean, the results were not there for Prescott.

Dak Prescott Under Pressure
Dropbacks YPA Average Depth of Target Average Time to Throw
Kept Clean 34 5.8 4.4 2.05
Under Pressure 8 6.6 7.0 2.50
Running Backs

The Cowboys only gave 12 handoffs to running backs with Ezekiel Elliott going for just 16 yards on nine carries and Tony Pollard gaining nine yards on three carries. They combined for one first down rushing. 

Receivers

Dalton Schultz led the Cowboys in targets, securing six catches on nine targets for 54 yards. Michael Gallup was the only receiver above 2.0 yards per route run as he hit 2.25. 

Offensive Line

The line was credited with giving up just four pressures and zero sacks. Tyron Smith was the only player credited with giving up multiple pressures. He had two. 

Defensive Line

Randy Gregory came away with three pressures, while Dorance Armstrong had the group's only sack on his one pressure. Gregory also added three defensive run stops.

Linebackers

Technically listed as a linebacker, Micah Parsons had six pressures and five hurries to go along with two defensive run stops. He was targeted three times in coverage and gave up a catch each time but for just eight total yards and none went for first downs. 

Secondary

Trevon Diggs was targeted three times, giving up two catches for 54 yards. Both went for first downs. Anthony Brown gave up two touchdowns through the air and was targeted a total of eight times allowing four catches for 34 yards. 

Arizona Cardinals

Quarterback

Kyler Murray was buoyed by deep passing as he connected on three throws beyond 20 yards in the air for 104 yards. He added 44 yards on the ground with 11 of them coming after contact.

Kyler Murray by Target Depth
Target Depth Completions Attempts Yards TD:INT
Behind LOS 6 7 39 0:0
0-9 Yards 14 15 77 1:0
10-19 yards 3 5 43 0:0
20+ Yards 3 7 104 1:0
Running Backs

Chase Edmonds gained 53 yards on 18 carries with 42 of them coming after contact. He rushed for four first downs and forced one missed tackle. He caught all five of his targets for 28 yards. 

Receivers

Zach Ertz led the team with nine targets. He hauled in seven balls for 42 yards. The leading receivers were Christian Kirk — six catches, eight targets, 79 yards — and A.J. Green — three catches, five targets, 74 yards.

Offensive Line

Guard Josh Jones was the only linemen credited with allowing multiple pressures. He allowed three. Every other starting offensive linemen allowed just one pressure. No sacks were given up. 

Defensive Line

Chandler Jones earned four of the six pressures credited to the defensive line but none could get home for a sack. Jones also added two run stops. 

Linebackers

Isaiah Simmons was targeted repeatedly in coverage. He allowed six catches on seven targets for 62 yards but only three went for first downs. Zaven Collins was targeted twice, allowed a 7-yard reception but also forced an incompletion

Secondary

Byron Murphy Jr. allowed all seven of the targets in his coverage to be caught. Six went for a first down or touchdown. On the other side, Kevin Peterson saw eight targets, allowing six catches and two touchdowns. 

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