Brett's Cowboys Corner

A struggling Cowboys team tries to get back on track at AT&T Stadium. It seems something special happens for a player, and it always goes against Dallas every week.

Well for another fun stat. Kyler Murray is 9-0 all-time at AT&T Stadium. Murray a 5-star quarterback from Allen, Texas has played in playoff games and state championships at AT&T, two victories for the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl and two as a starter for the Cardinals.

“…obviously you can’t speak about Kyler Murray without talking about what an incredible player he was at Allen in high school. Maybe one of the greatest high school quarterbacks of all time. I’m sure he’ll be excited to come back here, very comfortable playing here.” Brian Schottenheimer told the media.

Coach also added a playful comment, looking directly at the camera, “hopefully it means he’s due to lose one. Kyler, if you want to help.” 

It will be fun homecoming for the quarterback, and hopefully it can happen. Murray suffered a foot injury in a loss against the Titans in week five. He missed two games as backup Jacoby Brisset took over. The Cardinals are coming off a bye week, and had Murray limited the last two days at practice.

It was a 2-0 start for Arizona and they have gone on a five game losing streak since.

Players to Watch

Drafted with the 4th pick in 2024, Marvin Harrison Jr was a highly touted prospect. Namesake alone would have drawn interest, but he has the talent to back it up. Harrison eclipsed a 100-yard game twice in his rookies season, yet to do it in year two. Looking for that all-time classic breakout game this week.

Marvin Harrison Jr. has recorded 55+ receiving yards in three of his last four games, including a season-high 98 yards against the Titans. In Week 7, Harrison Jr. only gained 58 receiving yards against the Packers but did so on just two receptions. The Cowboys defense is allowing 258.6 passing yards per game this season, ranking 2nd-most in the NFL.

In Weeks 1-5 with Kyler Murray at quarterback, 46.4% of the Cardinals’ total targets to wide receivers and 58.1% of their WR air yards went to Marvin Harrison Jr.

In Weeks 6-7 with Jacoby Brissett running the offense, Harrison earned just 25.0% of the team’s WR targets (fewer than Zay Jones or Michael Wilson) and 36.9% of the air yards. Harrison caught 20 of 32 targets for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns with Murray at QB compared to 4 of 8 targets for 90 yards with Brissett.

The Cowboys will also have to keep an eye on Trey McBride. They will need to treat this star tight end like a receiver.

Trey McBride has caught 12 passes for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns on third downs this season, converting 11 first downs, 3 more than any other tight end.

A Struggle

The Cardinals have been struggling to get their rushing attack going. With Kyler Murray being the teams leading rusher. They are missing James Conner for sure. As Trey Benson and Bam Knight have not found their spark yet.

Arizona also misses Klayton Adams, who is now the Cowboys offensive coordinator, a mastermind in the run game and was responsible for a lot of successful Cardinal rushing attacks.

The Cardinal offense has struggled to find themselves. And this would be an awful time for them to figure it out.