Arizona Cardinals finally got their first win of the NFL season, thanks to a 28-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a significant moment for head coach Jonathan Gannon, who received the traditional Gatorade bath from his players after the game. However, Gannon – who has preached about process over results – was not a fan of the celebration. “They wanted to do that,” he said. “I’m not a fan, honestly.”
Gannon’s focus on the journey, rather than just the outcome, has been a fundamental principle of his coaching style. Despite the win, his post-game press conference was no different from previous ones after losses to the Commanders and Giants. The game against the Cowboys was different, though, both in terms of the result and how the Cardinals achieved it.
The Cardinals ran for a total of 228 yards, with explosive plays on the ground happening frequently. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs broke off a 44-yard run on the first series, while wide receiver Rondale Moore scored a touchdown after a 45-yard run. James Conner came just two yards short of his second straight 100-yard game. The Cowboys’ all-everything linebacker Micah Parsons was mostly kept in check, although he did have a sack.
The Cowboys did move the ball well in the second half, but all four of their second-half possessions ended without a touchdown, even though all four got inside the Arizona 10-yard line. The Cardinals’ defense held firm, and the game was finally put beyond doubt when Dobbs found rookie wide receiver Michael Wilson for a 69-yard catch-and-run. The Cardinals’ first home win on a Sunday since Oct. 24, 2021 (they did win a Thursday night game last season) was sealed when Dobbs found Hollywood Brown for a 2-yard touchdown catch.
The Cardinals now face the San Francisco 49ers in a road game, but they have shown that they will be a challenging team to beat this season. Gannon’s emphasis on process has been a crucial factor in their success so far, and the team will be back to the drawing board tomorrow to prepare for the next game.
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