NFL preseason: Cowboys dominate Cardinals; Rams, Giants, Patriots, Chiefs also win

The Dallas Cowboys convincingly defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 in the NFL preseason on August 22, 2026. This marked the Cowboys' second win of the preseason, and they were led by quarterback Joe Milton III, who threw for three touchdowns in the first half, including passes of 53 and 70 yards. The Cardinals, who had previously shown promise, struggled significantly, having two touchdowns nullified by penalties and managing only one successful red-zone trip throughout the game.

Earlier in the day, six teams had already won their matchups, including the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Giants. The New England Patriots narrowly beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in a competitive game with six lead changes, while the Cincinnati Bengals bested the Chicago Bears 27-9. The Kansas City Chiefs initially went ahead 9-0 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Tampa Bay came back to secure a 16-15 victory.

For the Cardinals, the result was particularly concerning as the defense allowed over 30 points for the second time in three preseason games, raising alarms for the coaching staff, including coordinator Nick Rallis. They finished the game with eight penalties for 63 yards.

In this matchup, the Cowboys ultimately dominated. The Cardinals did manage to compile 20 first downs and 325 total yards from scrimmage; however, they faltered in the crucial red-zone situations, highlighting their inefficiencies. The Cowboys capitalized on a turnover on downs by the Cardinals to extend their lead further.

The final score reflected the Cowboys' dominance and showcased their improvements, particularly from Milton and the offensive unit. As the preseason progresses, both teams need to reassess their strategies, with Dallas looking to continue building on its momentum, while Arizona seeks to regroup after another disappointing performance.