Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals Picks and Prediction for Saturday August 22, 2026

The Dallas Cowboys travel to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to face the Arizona Cardinals in NFL preseason Week 2 on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET. Dallas enters at 1-0 after beating Seattle 17-7 in its preseason opener, while Arizona is 1-1 overall after playing in the Hall of Fame Game and then defeating Las Vegas 27-14 last Thursday.

The current market has Arizona favored by 1.5 points, with the Cardinals around -130 on the moneyline and Dallas around +107. The total is 37.5 points. That creates an interesting matchup between a Dallas defense that allowed only seven points in its opener and an Arizona offense that scored three touchdowns and generated 368 yards against Las Vegas. Get ready for all the NFL action this year with our free NFL picks.

Cowboys Defense Shines in Preseason Opener

Dallas opened its preseason with a 17-7 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks on August 15. Seattle scored a touchdown on its opening possession, but the Cowboys didn't allow another point for the remainder of the game. Dallas limited Seattle to 156 total yards, controlled possession for 32:55 and held a 338-156 advantage in total offense. The Cowboys produced 21 first downs and converted an impressive 11 of 15 third-down opportunities.

The Cowboys received efficient quarterback play from Sam Howell and Joe Milton III. Howell started and completed 8 of 12 passes for 94 yards and one touchdown, finishing with a 118.1 passer rating. Milton handled the second half and completed 12 of 15 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown, posting a 118.6 rating. Camden Brown was the standout receiver with three receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas also ran for 137 yards on 36 attempts, giving the offense balance throughout the game.

The most encouraging part of Dallas' performance was how well the defense responded after Seattle's opening touchdown. The Cowboys kept the Seahawks scoreless over the final three-plus quarters and produced two important goal-line stands late in the game. Dallas also didn't turn the football over offensively. That combination of efficient quarterback play, ball control and defensive depth gives the Cowboys a strong preseason foundation heading into Arizona.

Cardinals Offense Was Extremely Efficient Against Las Vegas

Arizona's most recent game resulted in a 27-14 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cardinals led 21-14 at halftime and added two third-quarter field goals before shutting out Las Vegas throughout the second half. Arizona finished with 368 total yards, including 212 through the air and 156 on the ground, while possessing the football for 34:25. The Cardinals converted 8 of 15 third downs and didn't commit a turnover.

Arizona's quarterbacks were remarkably efficient. Jacoby Brissett completed all 5 of his attempts for 44 yards and one touchdown, while Gardner Minshew completed 14 of 16 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Kedon Slovis finished 7 of 9 for 75 yards. Altogether, Cardinals quarterbacks completed 26 of 30 passes. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love rushed 11 times for 58 yards, although an ankle injury suffered in that game is expected to keep him out for at least a week.

The Cardinals' offensive efficiency is the biggest reason to take them seriously here. Arizona scored touchdowns on all three of its first-half scoring drives against Las Vegas, produced 23 first downs and averaged 5.4 yards per play. There is also another quarterback storyline for Week 2. Carson Beck was held out against Las Vegas because of sore ribs, after completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards in the Hall of Fame Game. His potential return would give Arizona another quarterback to evaluate against Dallas.

Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals Picks and Prediction

Pick: Dallas Cowboys +1.5

The pick is Dallas Cowboys +1.5. Arizona certainly deserves respect after producing 368 yards and completing 26 of 30 passes against Las Vegas, but Dallas' preseason opener may have revealed the more important advantage for betting purposes: depth on both sides of the football. Howell and Milton were efficient, the Cowboys generated 338 yards and converted 11 of 15 third downs, and the defense didn't allow a point after Seattle's opening possession. With Dallas getting points after already winning a preseason road game by double digits, Cowboys +1.5 is the preferred side.

Pick: Under 37.5

The total pick is Under 37.5. Arizona's offensive performance against Las Vegas makes the under somewhat uncomfortable, but Dallas demonstrated an ability to control both possession and field position while allowing only seven points. The Cowboys-Seahawks game produced just 24 combined points, and Arizona shut Las Vegas out throughout the second half of its 27-14 victory. With both defenses coming off extended stretches without allowing a point, Under 37.5 gets a slight edge.

Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 20, Arizona Cardinals 17