ARLINGTON, Texas – Dak Prescott wasn't in the lineup and neither was Ezekiel Elliott for the Cowboys, but then again, the Cardinals didn't play Larry Fitzgerald or David Johnson (or Josh Rosen) either.
So, yes, it felt a little less like a dress rehearsal than perhaps a third preseason game normally would Sunday night at AT&T Stadium. But that didn't make the five first-half turnovers forced by the starting defense and special teams mean any less to coach Steve Wilks, nor the 27-3 victory over the Cowboys.
By the time the game was over, the Cardinals (3-0) had forced eight turnovers. They are now a plus-15 in three preseason games, having turned it over only once themselves.
"Back when I first started, (getting turnovers) was the mantra we had in Chicago, and that's stayed with me ever since," Wilks said. "That's a staple of our defense."
Without Prescott or Elliott or most of the Dallas starting offense, caveats are necessary. Then again, the Cardinals were without their top three defensive tackles, and interestingly, spent the game almost exclusively in nickel, with two linebackers and three safeties.
And after a pair of muffed punts gave the Cards their first two turnovers, the defense – which had already forced eight turnovers in the first two preseason games – helped make the game a blowout.
Patrick Peterson had interception he returned 30 yards for a touchdown, and submarined Cowboys running back Rod Smith on a tackle to force another fumble. Safety Budda Baker stopped Dallas' lone chance at first-half points with an end-zone interception.
"Honestly, this is what I envisioned, what I've been talking about all spring," Peterson said. "This defense is really … set up for us to make plays, at any position.
"We're flying around, playing together, communicating. It's fun to see us."
Wilks raved about his star cornerback.
"I can't say enough about Patrick Peterson," Wilks said. "The guy is playing lights out."
The defense didn't just do well getting the ball. The top goal of the week was stopping the run and, yes, the Cowboys were without Elliott and that excellent offensive line, but the Cards shut down Dallas with only 52 rush yards.
The Cardinals (3-0) needed the turnovers. Not only did Johnson and Fitzgerald not play, but quarterback Sam Bradford was in for only two series, completing just 1-of-4 passes for six yards and absorbing his first sack as a Cardinal.
"I was hoping he wasn't hurt and he wasn't," Wilks said.
Rosen, nursing the right thumb injury suffered in practice last week, dressed but didn't play. That meant Mike Glennon and Charles Kanoff got plenty of snaps, and the passing game never really did get untracked. It's hard to figure out who you might want at receiver when there are only 52 total yards passing – although Wilks lamented multiple dropped passes.
The Cardinals also could only convert 2-of-13 third downs.
The running game did impress, however. Rookie Chase Edmonds had 55 yards on 11 carries starting in place of Johnson, and T.J. Logan – getting a ton of work after D.J. Foster looked to suffer a serious knee injury on a special teams play – gained 86 yards on only six carries, including a 59-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals rushed for 146 yards total.
The offensive imbalance didn't worry the locker room. Said left tackle D.J. Humphries, "I know what we're capable of."
The Cardinals have a short week, hosting Denver in the final preseason game Thursday. They'll only get one day of practice. The vast majority of the main players likely won't see the field.
But Wilks emphasized that what the Cardinals showed Sunday – run-heavy on offense, and an opportunistic defense – was his team's identity. It probably won't be worth eight turnovers a game, but confidence is high.
"This is what we call the standard," safety Tre Boston said with a smile. "This (eight takeaways) was a little much ... but it's the hard work we put in."
Images of the "Sunday Night Football" affair in Arlington, Texas
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on an interception during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
CB Patrick Peterson returns his interception for a touchdown.
Cardinals fans in Dallas
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) looks on before a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones (55) runs up field during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
WR Larry Fitzgerald in warmups
RB Chase Edmonds
Arizona Cardinals tight end Gabe Holmes (85) warms up before an preseason NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Andre Smith (71), offensive guard Justin Pugh (67) and center Mason Cole (64) line up for a play during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory as Cardinals' D.J. Humphries (74) defends in the first half of an preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lance Lenoir (14) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) stare down each other after a punt during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) carries the ball during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) recovers a fumbled punt-return in the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Cowboys linebacker Justin March-Lillard (53) moves in on the play.
QB Mike Glennon
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) puts on his helmet before a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Corey Willis (83) before an preseason NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
CB Patrick Peterson forces a fumble
S Budda Baker intercepts a pass
Cardinals CB Bene' Benwikere on punt coverage
Cardinals K Phil Dawson on the field goal try
The Cardinals defense celebrates another takeaway
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds, left, is wrapped up by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) after a long run.
Cowboys running back Rod Smith is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Antoine Bethea as defensive back Patrick Peterson moves in.
S Rudy Ford
RB T.J. Logan scrambles for a TD
The Cardinals defense celebrates
CB Patrick Peterson forces a fumble
Arizona running back T.J. Logan carries the ball for a 59-Yard touchdown during the second half.
DE Cap Capi celebrates a strip-sack and fumble recovery
DE Vontarrius Dora and DE Siupeli Anau combine for the sack
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson during the first half.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) pressures Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9).
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon reacts after dropping Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush.
Cardinals quarterback Mike Glennon looks to throw.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk carries as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds carries as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith defends.
Arizona defensive back Jamar Taylor lines up against the Dallas Cowboys offense.
Dallas linebacker Damien Wilson tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Little.
Cardinals quarterback Charles Kanoff throws under pressure during the second half.
Cowboys wide receiver Lance Lenoir looks for room against Cardinals cornerback Deatrick Nichols.
Dallas wide receiver Michael Gallup can't get to the ball as Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson defends.
Arizona running back T.J. Logan runs past Cowboys linebacker Justin March-Lillard.
Cardinals punter Andy Lee punts during the second half.
Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis tackles Cardinals wide receiver Brice Butler.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk is chased by Cowboys linebacker Joe Thomas.
Dallas tight end Rico Gathers is upended by Cardinals cornerback Deatrick Nichols during the second half.
Arizona offensive guard John Wetzel (73), Josh Allen (66) and center Evan Boehm (70) block during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cardinals running back T.J. Logan fields a punt during the second half.
Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hodges forces a fumble from Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin.
Arizona center Daniel Munyer.
Cardinals defensive end Vontarrius Dora tackles Dallas Cowboys quarterback Mike White during the second half.
Arizona running back T.J. Logan looks for room to run.
Cardinals defensive back Travell Dixon celebrates an interception against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half.
