Official Game Day Thread - ARI @ DAL (MNF) October 19, 2020
Oct 16, 2020 3:10:25 GMT -7
BigRedFan likes this
Post by End Zone on Oct 16, 2020 3:10:25 GMT -7
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Forum’s 6th Game Day thread of 2020. Today’s MNF Game Day thread is special and dedicated to…former Cardinals HC Dennis Green. I picked this man because of his incredible desire to win, famous meltdown at the October 16, 2006 MNF post-game presser, and ability to reflect on that night later and accept whatever life gave him—the goods and others. Here with the exact quote from that weird post-game presser: “The Bears are what we thought they were. They're what we thought they were. We played them in preseason—who the hell takes a third game of the preseason like it's bullshit? Bullshit! We played them in the third game—everybody played three quarters—the Bears are who we thought they were! That's why we took the damn field. Now if you want to crown them, then crown their ass! But they are who we thought they were! And we let 'em off the hook!"
There is a lot to unpack in HC Green’s quote. We all know what he said and what he meant to say. The 1-4 Cardinals got a huge 1st half lead, then seemed to lollygag in the 2nd half, thinking the 5-0 Bears would just give up and let the inexperienced but talented Cardinals go home with their 2nd win of the young season. Instead, the entire Cardinals team stopped working hard. The Cardinals coach’s and player’s errors piled up. The Bears gladly took charge and then wrote another sad chapter in the Cardinals long team history. Since 2006, HC Green’s profane post-game tirade was replayed again and again to glee of rivals and comedians. The lesson for all Cardinals players today is to never stop playing hard as a team and never give up on yourself. HC Dennis Green passed on July 21, 2016 at the age of 67. Rest in peace, “Denny.”
What is there to know about the Dallas Cowboys football team? Well, there is a lot. First, the Dallas Cowboys are the most promoted football team on planet Earth, even surpassing teams associated with that other football sport -- soccer. The Dallas Cowboys blue star is as widely recognized as the U.S. Stars and Stripes. The Dallas Cowboys earned the honor “Elite Team” a long time ago. Is the team “Elite” today? You have to answer that question. I say, no. Only a few will argue otherwise: avid home team fans, family members, and maybe God. Oh yeah, some Texans will go so far as to claim the Almighty is a Cowboy fan!
The Dallas Cowboys football team was founded in 1960, exactly 60 years ago, is headquartered at Frisco, TX, and plays its home games at AT&T Stadium at Arlington, TX. The team competes in the NFL’s NFC East Division since 1970 alnog with the Washington Football Team, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants. The franchise has made it to the Super Bowl 8 times, 2nd behind the New England Patriots at 11 Super Bowl appearances. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl 5 times, the last SB XXX in 1995. The Cowboys are the NFL’s leader in consecutive winning seasons at 20, 1966-1985. From 1970 to 1979, the Cowboys were practically unbeatable, winning an amazing 105 games. Hard times hit the Cowboys starting in 1986, when the team sagged to 7-9, and then dipped to 3-13 in 1988. The Cowboys were bought by Mr. Jerry Jones on February 25, 1989. Jones immediately fired legendary HC Tom Landry, bringing in U of Miami HC Jimmy Johnson. JJ’s first season was an embarrassing disaster, 1-15. Dallas fortunes would turn around quickly though. At the 1989 draft, Johnson drafted Troy Aikman, and then traded away later that year Herschel Walker for 8 draft choices and 5 veteran players in an action that is to this day called “The Trade,” setting up Dallas’ football fortunes for many good years. Immediately after SB XXVIII, however, Jones relationship with Johnson hit the rocks, and Johnson abruptly resigned.
I won’t go into the next 25 years of Cowboys history. Why bore Forum members with Dallas' overhyped sense of antiquity? It is fair to say that Dallas has had some good years and some bad years along the way. Controversy seemed to find the Cowboys players and team owner year after year. Drugs, guns, and big-"haired" gals dominated the team's darkest days. "Dallas" series type controversy added to the team’s drama and interest—stoking merchandise sales and enriching the Jones family.
In 2015, the Cowboys became the NFL’s first team to be valued at more than $4 billion, making it the most valuable team in the world per Forbes. In 2018, the team value surpassed $5 billion. The team generated a whopping $620 million in revenue in 2014, a record for a U.S. sports team. Team owner and GM is none other than billionaire Jerry Jones. Team nicknames include “America’s Team, Doomsday Defense, The ‘Boys, and Big D.”
I would like to highlight the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day football phenomenon. How did it all happen? The team began playing on that day before a National audience in 1966. Why? There was nothing else to watch on TV after a turkey feast. America was starving for NFL football seven days a week. Mr. H. R. “Bum” Bright, team owner, made a decision to play football on Thanksgiving Day every year as a way to build team value and make money from local merchandise sales. His idea was pure marketing genius, driving up National interest in the team which caused more TV air time and more merchandise sales even in NFL competitor’s cities. Winning football games added to the team’s appeal and also enhanced the NFL brand among investors and major media centers. Then from-1975-1977, at the request of Pete Rozelle, the momentarily popular “Cardiac Cardinals” joined the holiday showing. But, some embarrassing Cardinals losses and weak game day attendance (see below *, **, ***) at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium caused the NFL and marketers to return to the more popular Dallas Cowboys as holiday game hosts. In 1978, the Cowboys asked and received an agreement from the NFL guaranteeing the Cowboys a spot our Thanksgiving Day TVs forever. * 11 November 27, 1975, Cardinals lost at St. Louis to Buffalo Bills L 32–14, attendance 41,899; ** 12 November 25, 1976, Cardinals lost at Dallas Cowboys, 19–14, attendance 62,498 - a Jim Hart to JV Cain TD at the end of the game was disallowed because Cain was pushed out of bounds by two Cowboy defenders prior to the TD catch -- but oddly, no interference was called; *** 11 November 24, 1977, Cardinals lost at St. Louis to Miami Dolphins L 55–14, attendance 50,269 - the Cardinals had a 6-game win streak prior to this embarrassing holiday loss and then the team would then embark on a horrid 12-game losing streak through early 1978.
Okay, now for the head to head game record discussion. I said earlier that the Cowboys are considered by some as an elite team. Well, the Cowboys have certainly had the Cardinals number for a long time, leading the series 56-32-1 through 89 games, including 1 post-season game at Dallas (and that one, the Cardinals won, 20-7!).
The two teams last played each other on September 17, 2017, with Dallas mastering Arizona 28-17 at UofP Stadium. Dak Prescott (pass 13 of 18 for 183yds) and Carson Palmer (pass 29 of 48 for 325yds) dueled it out. It’s hard to figure out why the Cardinals lost that game which was tied 7-7 at halftime. The non-scoreboard statistics show that the Cardinals mostly dominated the Cowboys. Yet, the Cowboys put up the TDs (2 in the 4th qtr) and easily won it.
Winning streaks? In the early years, 1960-1963, the Cardinals ran over the Cowboys, winning 7 in a row. From 1978-1981, the Cowboys returned the favor, winning 7 in a row. Things got gaudy in the 1990s, during the Cowboys “elite” years, with the Cowboys streak running to 13 wins over the Cardinals from December 16, 1990 to December 8, 1996. Somehow, the Cardinals broke that streak and won in OT, 25-22, at the season opener on September 7, 1997. Then the Cowboys took the next 3 games. Had the Cardinals not won in OT in September 1997, the Cowboys streak would have ballooned a numbing 17 wins in a row. Since 1999, the teams have played 15 games. The W/L records are almost evenly matched, with the Cardinals winning 8 games and the Cowboys winning 7 games. 3 of the last 9 games were OT games. The Cowboys lost all 3 of those OT games played at Arizona!
Game day butt-whipping bragging rights? The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys, 52-20, at old Busch Stadium Sportsman’s Park, at downtown St. Louis, on December 9, 1962. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Arizona Cardinals, 48-7, at Dallas on October 22, 2000. The legendary shutout game, Cardinals 38 and Cowboys 0, occurred at Dallas on November 16, 1970. Remarkably, that 1970 game was the only shutout by either team in the 89 contests since 1960.
What do I expect on Monday night, the 90th game between the teams? First, I have no idea which team will show up—the Cardinals team that played very well against NYJ, or the Cardinals team that played very poorly against CAR and DET? Consistent play execution is not a Cardinals hallmark so far in 2020. The team experiences periods of utter confusion, poor discipline, and down-tempo low energy at times. The Cardinals are not dominant but have potential to jump on a team. Second, the ARI v. NYJ game was “MUST WIN” and the Cardinals responded and executed well at all three phases: Offense, Defense, and Special Teams. If past is prologue, the Cardinals will start slow at the Cowboys. Cardinals offensive play calling will work to establish ball control while reducing turnover risk in order to move the chains and get into the Red Zone. HC Kingsbury (or aspiring HC & quasi OC Jeff Rodgers) will balance run and pass calls as we saw at the Jets game. The Offensive Line is still a work in progress. We know Kingsbury believes in Murray’s ability to innovate on the fly so expect some surprises from our 23 year-old second-year QB. A trend that I definitely do not like is Murray’s INTs. More QB coaching, please! On defense, I see new weakness at DE and CB. Chandler Jones absence will hurt for the next 11 games. Patrick Peterson is slowing noticeably and not stopping many WR out-routes—his lone INT for 2020 was a QB gift. I would love to to see Simmons play 50+% of D snaps—he needs game-day work to gain the best experiences. I like that Steve Keim continues to sort through other 31 team’s PS rosters for sign backup player depth.
For Dallas, this is a starter debut game of sorts for veteran Andy “Red Rifle” Dalton. He did very well v. NYG after Dak Prescott went down with an ankle injury, passing 9-11 for 111 yards. The 4th quarter win v. the Giants last week proved he can get the job done against a winless team. Dalton has a record of torching the Cardinals D in the last several years at CIN and he can do it against the hot & cold Cardinals D if not pressured. The Cardinals problem on Monday night could be RB Elliott. If he runs wild, then Dalton’s job is much, much easier. After 5 games, the Cowboys are 1st in the NFL on yards per game at 488; the Cardinals are no slouches at 10th putting up 395 per game. Remember, Dallas will not have QB Dak Prescott calling plays on Monday night.
Get well areas. Foremost, tackling has to improve. The Cards v. Jets game showed massive Defense improvement but there is plenty of room for improvement at the individual level. I absolutely never buy into the eastern time zone, sleepy, and tired young player complaints. Pro’s rest, prepare, and then execute. Period. Dallas has given up the ball 11 times in 5 games while the Cardinals have taken the ball away 3 times. The turnover ratio for the Cardinals must change. 1 Cardinals pass INT through 5 games (v SF, WAS, DET, CAR, and NYJ) is nuts. The lack of Defense rush is giving QBs time to make better passes. No elite QB was faced, yet just 1 pass INT was made. Dalton is not elite nor fleet afoot. So…get after him, Vance Joseph! Kyler Murray must figure out his INT problem, now at 6. Yes, he’s 5’10”. His feet are not cement. He can move faster than any defender when he needs to create space for better passing options. He’s still making rookie mistakes in year two. Lastly, scoring is too low to win enough games to get to the playoffs and move closer to the first Championship Trophy. Or, the Defense has to reduce the points given away. Winning is always hard.
Bottom line: Both teams lost major player pieces to injuries a week ago. Both teams won their must-win games against winless teams a week ago. Coaching and Defense is a toss up. I give the QB nod to Arizona because of Murray’s explosiveness. I give the offensive production nod to Arizona because of Hopkins. Consistent with the 20-year trend, I see another close game happening with probably 50+ points scored. The Cardinals are giving -1.5 to the Cowboys on the Vegas books. Most sports media sites are calling the Cardinals to cover the slim spread and gain their 4th victory. ESPN has the Cardinals winning, 24-20. I’m going to take that total score up a notch, to 30-26, Cardinals winning.
I’ll ensure the injury report and active roster are posted prior to 8:15pm kickoff. At this point in the season, the player active roster-PS roster merry-go-round is spinning faster and faster.
Game kickoff is at 8:15pm EDT. Watch on ESPN and NFL’s Red Zone. Listen to local AZ radio and mobile devices at Sirrus FM. The game is broadcast nationally. AT&T Stadium at Dallas will have some fans and family members in attendance. I still expect piped-in crowd noise to enhance the fan’s game experience.
Game Day weather at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on Monday night will be nearly perfect at the 8:15pm kickoff. Expect an evening temperature of 70F, partly cloudy skies with cloud cover at 23%, and light winds at 3-4 mph outside the partly enclosed stadium. Chance of rain is 6%. The stadium turf is artificial.
Clete Blakeman will be the NFL Referee (White Hat) for the game. He is a highly respected official, working two Super Bowl games in 2013 (as alternate Referee) and 2016 as Referee. When not making the hard calls on the football field, he’s making the hard calls in the Court Room as an attorney on behalf of injured clients. Prior to his legal career, Clete was a 3-year letterman at QB for the University of Nebraska “Huskers.” He began officiating college football games after college, gaining experience and building a reputation, and was selected to join the NFL as an on-field official in 2008.
Let’s all have a fun and entertaining game at Dallas on Monday night. This is the 3rd consecutive road game for the Cardinals. No major injuries to any players. Go Cardinals! Win #4.
There is a lot to unpack in HC Green’s quote. We all know what he said and what he meant to say. The 1-4 Cardinals got a huge 1st half lead, then seemed to lollygag in the 2nd half, thinking the 5-0 Bears would just give up and let the inexperienced but talented Cardinals go home with their 2nd win of the young season. Instead, the entire Cardinals team stopped working hard. The Cardinals coach’s and player’s errors piled up. The Bears gladly took charge and then wrote another sad chapter in the Cardinals long team history. Since 2006, HC Green’s profane post-game tirade was replayed again and again to glee of rivals and comedians. The lesson for all Cardinals players today is to never stop playing hard as a team and never give up on yourself. HC Dennis Green passed on July 21, 2016 at the age of 67. Rest in peace, “Denny.”
What is there to know about the Dallas Cowboys football team? Well, there is a lot. First, the Dallas Cowboys are the most promoted football team on planet Earth, even surpassing teams associated with that other football sport -- soccer. The Dallas Cowboys blue star is as widely recognized as the U.S. Stars and Stripes. The Dallas Cowboys earned the honor “Elite Team” a long time ago. Is the team “Elite” today? You have to answer that question. I say, no. Only a few will argue otherwise: avid home team fans, family members, and maybe God. Oh yeah, some Texans will go so far as to claim the Almighty is a Cowboy fan!
The Dallas Cowboys football team was founded in 1960, exactly 60 years ago, is headquartered at Frisco, TX, and plays its home games at AT&T Stadium at Arlington, TX. The team competes in the NFL’s NFC East Division since 1970 alnog with the Washington Football Team, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants. The franchise has made it to the Super Bowl 8 times, 2nd behind the New England Patriots at 11 Super Bowl appearances. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl 5 times, the last SB XXX in 1995. The Cowboys are the NFL’s leader in consecutive winning seasons at 20, 1966-1985. From 1970 to 1979, the Cowboys were practically unbeatable, winning an amazing 105 games. Hard times hit the Cowboys starting in 1986, when the team sagged to 7-9, and then dipped to 3-13 in 1988. The Cowboys were bought by Mr. Jerry Jones on February 25, 1989. Jones immediately fired legendary HC Tom Landry, bringing in U of Miami HC Jimmy Johnson. JJ’s first season was an embarrassing disaster, 1-15. Dallas fortunes would turn around quickly though. At the 1989 draft, Johnson drafted Troy Aikman, and then traded away later that year Herschel Walker for 8 draft choices and 5 veteran players in an action that is to this day called “The Trade,” setting up Dallas’ football fortunes for many good years. Immediately after SB XXVIII, however, Jones relationship with Johnson hit the rocks, and Johnson abruptly resigned.
I won’t go into the next 25 years of Cowboys history. Why bore Forum members with Dallas' overhyped sense of antiquity? It is fair to say that Dallas has had some good years and some bad years along the way. Controversy seemed to find the Cowboys players and team owner year after year. Drugs, guns, and big-"haired" gals dominated the team's darkest days. "Dallas" series type controversy added to the team’s drama and interest—stoking merchandise sales and enriching the Jones family.
In 2015, the Cowboys became the NFL’s first team to be valued at more than $4 billion, making it the most valuable team in the world per Forbes. In 2018, the team value surpassed $5 billion. The team generated a whopping $620 million in revenue in 2014, a record for a U.S. sports team. Team owner and GM is none other than billionaire Jerry Jones. Team nicknames include “America’s Team, Doomsday Defense, The ‘Boys, and Big D.”
I would like to highlight the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day football phenomenon. How did it all happen? The team began playing on that day before a National audience in 1966. Why? There was nothing else to watch on TV after a turkey feast. America was starving for NFL football seven days a week. Mr. H. R. “Bum” Bright, team owner, made a decision to play football on Thanksgiving Day every year as a way to build team value and make money from local merchandise sales. His idea was pure marketing genius, driving up National interest in the team which caused more TV air time and more merchandise sales even in NFL competitor’s cities. Winning football games added to the team’s appeal and also enhanced the NFL brand among investors and major media centers. Then from-1975-1977, at the request of Pete Rozelle, the momentarily popular “Cardiac Cardinals” joined the holiday showing. But, some embarrassing Cardinals losses and weak game day attendance (see below *, **, ***) at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium caused the NFL and marketers to return to the more popular Dallas Cowboys as holiday game hosts. In 1978, the Cowboys asked and received an agreement from the NFL guaranteeing the Cowboys a spot our Thanksgiving Day TVs forever. * 11 November 27, 1975, Cardinals lost at St. Louis to Buffalo Bills L 32–14, attendance 41,899; ** 12 November 25, 1976, Cardinals lost at Dallas Cowboys, 19–14, attendance 62,498 - a Jim Hart to JV Cain TD at the end of the game was disallowed because Cain was pushed out of bounds by two Cowboy defenders prior to the TD catch -- but oddly, no interference was called; *** 11 November 24, 1977, Cardinals lost at St. Louis to Miami Dolphins L 55–14, attendance 50,269 - the Cardinals had a 6-game win streak prior to this embarrassing holiday loss and then the team would then embark on a horrid 12-game losing streak through early 1978.
Okay, now for the head to head game record discussion. I said earlier that the Cowboys are considered by some as an elite team. Well, the Cowboys have certainly had the Cardinals number for a long time, leading the series 56-32-1 through 89 games, including 1 post-season game at Dallas (and that one, the Cardinals won, 20-7!).
The two teams last played each other on September 17, 2017, with Dallas mastering Arizona 28-17 at UofP Stadium. Dak Prescott (pass 13 of 18 for 183yds) and Carson Palmer (pass 29 of 48 for 325yds) dueled it out. It’s hard to figure out why the Cardinals lost that game which was tied 7-7 at halftime. The non-scoreboard statistics show that the Cardinals mostly dominated the Cowboys. Yet, the Cowboys put up the TDs (2 in the 4th qtr) and easily won it.
Winning streaks? In the early years, 1960-1963, the Cardinals ran over the Cowboys, winning 7 in a row. From 1978-1981, the Cowboys returned the favor, winning 7 in a row. Things got gaudy in the 1990s, during the Cowboys “elite” years, with the Cowboys streak running to 13 wins over the Cardinals from December 16, 1990 to December 8, 1996. Somehow, the Cardinals broke that streak and won in OT, 25-22, at the season opener on September 7, 1997. Then the Cowboys took the next 3 games. Had the Cardinals not won in OT in September 1997, the Cowboys streak would have ballooned a numbing 17 wins in a row. Since 1999, the teams have played 15 games. The W/L records are almost evenly matched, with the Cardinals winning 8 games and the Cowboys winning 7 games. 3 of the last 9 games were OT games. The Cowboys lost all 3 of those OT games played at Arizona!
Game day butt-whipping bragging rights? The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys, 52-20, at old Busch Stadium Sportsman’s Park, at downtown St. Louis, on December 9, 1962. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Arizona Cardinals, 48-7, at Dallas on October 22, 2000. The legendary shutout game, Cardinals 38 and Cowboys 0, occurred at Dallas on November 16, 1970. Remarkably, that 1970 game was the only shutout by either team in the 89 contests since 1960.
What do I expect on Monday night, the 90th game between the teams? First, I have no idea which team will show up—the Cardinals team that played very well against NYJ, or the Cardinals team that played very poorly against CAR and DET? Consistent play execution is not a Cardinals hallmark so far in 2020. The team experiences periods of utter confusion, poor discipline, and down-tempo low energy at times. The Cardinals are not dominant but have potential to jump on a team. Second, the ARI v. NYJ game was “MUST WIN” and the Cardinals responded and executed well at all three phases: Offense, Defense, and Special Teams. If past is prologue, the Cardinals will start slow at the Cowboys. Cardinals offensive play calling will work to establish ball control while reducing turnover risk in order to move the chains and get into the Red Zone. HC Kingsbury (or aspiring HC & quasi OC Jeff Rodgers) will balance run and pass calls as we saw at the Jets game. The Offensive Line is still a work in progress. We know Kingsbury believes in Murray’s ability to innovate on the fly so expect some surprises from our 23 year-old second-year QB. A trend that I definitely do not like is Murray’s INTs. More QB coaching, please! On defense, I see new weakness at DE and CB. Chandler Jones absence will hurt for the next 11 games. Patrick Peterson is slowing noticeably and not stopping many WR out-routes—his lone INT for 2020 was a QB gift. I would love to to see Simmons play 50+% of D snaps—he needs game-day work to gain the best experiences. I like that Steve Keim continues to sort through other 31 team’s PS rosters for sign backup player depth.
For Dallas, this is a starter debut game of sorts for veteran Andy “Red Rifle” Dalton. He did very well v. NYG after Dak Prescott went down with an ankle injury, passing 9-11 for 111 yards. The 4th quarter win v. the Giants last week proved he can get the job done against a winless team. Dalton has a record of torching the Cardinals D in the last several years at CIN and he can do it against the hot & cold Cardinals D if not pressured. The Cardinals problem on Monday night could be RB Elliott. If he runs wild, then Dalton’s job is much, much easier. After 5 games, the Cowboys are 1st in the NFL on yards per game at 488; the Cardinals are no slouches at 10th putting up 395 per game. Remember, Dallas will not have QB Dak Prescott calling plays on Monday night.
Get well areas. Foremost, tackling has to improve. The Cards v. Jets game showed massive Defense improvement but there is plenty of room for improvement at the individual level. I absolutely never buy into the eastern time zone, sleepy, and tired young player complaints. Pro’s rest, prepare, and then execute. Period. Dallas has given up the ball 11 times in 5 games while the Cardinals have taken the ball away 3 times. The turnover ratio for the Cardinals must change. 1 Cardinals pass INT through 5 games (v SF, WAS, DET, CAR, and NYJ) is nuts. The lack of Defense rush is giving QBs time to make better passes. No elite QB was faced, yet just 1 pass INT was made. Dalton is not elite nor fleet afoot. So…get after him, Vance Joseph! Kyler Murray must figure out his INT problem, now at 6. Yes, he’s 5’10”. His feet are not cement. He can move faster than any defender when he needs to create space for better passing options. He’s still making rookie mistakes in year two. Lastly, scoring is too low to win enough games to get to the playoffs and move closer to the first Championship Trophy. Or, the Defense has to reduce the points given away. Winning is always hard.
Bottom line: Both teams lost major player pieces to injuries a week ago. Both teams won their must-win games against winless teams a week ago. Coaching and Defense is a toss up. I give the QB nod to Arizona because of Murray’s explosiveness. I give the offensive production nod to Arizona because of Hopkins. Consistent with the 20-year trend, I see another close game happening with probably 50+ points scored. The Cardinals are giving -1.5 to the Cowboys on the Vegas books. Most sports media sites are calling the Cardinals to cover the slim spread and gain their 4th victory. ESPN has the Cardinals winning, 24-20. I’m going to take that total score up a notch, to 30-26, Cardinals winning.
I’ll ensure the injury report and active roster are posted prior to 8:15pm kickoff. At this point in the season, the player active roster-PS roster merry-go-round is spinning faster and faster.
Game kickoff is at 8:15pm EDT. Watch on ESPN and NFL’s Red Zone. Listen to local AZ radio and mobile devices at Sirrus FM. The game is broadcast nationally. AT&T Stadium at Dallas will have some fans and family members in attendance. I still expect piped-in crowd noise to enhance the fan’s game experience.
Game Day weather at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on Monday night will be nearly perfect at the 8:15pm kickoff. Expect an evening temperature of 70F, partly cloudy skies with cloud cover at 23%, and light winds at 3-4 mph outside the partly enclosed stadium. Chance of rain is 6%. The stadium turf is artificial.
Clete Blakeman will be the NFL Referee (White Hat) for the game. He is a highly respected official, working two Super Bowl games in 2013 (as alternate Referee) and 2016 as Referee. When not making the hard calls on the football field, he’s making the hard calls in the Court Room as an attorney on behalf of injured clients. Prior to his legal career, Clete was a 3-year letterman at QB for the University of Nebraska “Huskers.” He began officiating college football games after college, gaining experience and building a reputation, and was selected to join the NFL as an on-field official in 2008.
Let’s all have a fun and entertaining game at Dallas on Monday night. This is the 3rd consecutive road game for the Cardinals. No major injuries to any players. Go Cardinals! Win #4.