6 Winners & 2 Losers From Cowboys Win vs. Cardinals in Preseason Week 2

It's still the preseason, so we need to avoid overreacting, but the Dallas Cowboys look like a completely different team in 2026 than what we saw in 2025.

Dallas couldn't buy a stop last year, but under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, they appear far more competent. Again, these are exhibition games, but it's still very encouraging to see everyone on the same page and playing hard.

Offensively, the Cowboys have to be just as happy. Even without playing their starters, the offense has made it look easy, especially on Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys were able to run away with one against the Arizona Cardinals, 34-13. There was no shortage of players to praise, so some will be left out, but here's a look at some of the winners and losers for Dallas in their Preseason Week 2 win.

Winner: LT Overton, DT

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle LT Overton celebrates after a sack against Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A fourth-round pick out of Alabama, LT Overton might be one of the more undervalued rookies from the Cowboys' impressive draft class. Known for his work as a run-stuffer, Overton has flashed as a pass rusher during camp, and on Saturday, he recorded his first sack, which he followed with a Karate Kid celebration, which was a win in itself.

first career sack for @LebbeusO 🔥

📺: #DALvsAZ on CBS11
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7pAfvQ9tid pic.twitter.com/7dRtDwdRfg
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 23, 2026

Overton's sack came on third and goal, forcing the Cardinals to end a promising drive with a field goal instead of a touchdown.

The depth behind Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark has been questioned, but if Overton can play the way he did against Arizona, there's no reason to panic.

Winner: Malik Davis, RB

Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Malik Davis played late in the game last week, but was with the starters on Saturday and looked just as competent. He had 29 yards rushing on five attempts and scored the opening touchdown, catching a third-down pass from Joe Milton and taking it in for an eight-yard score. As Nick Harris said, he even proved his worth in blitz protection during the first quarter.

the offense turns the INT into a TD 💪#DALvsAZ | @Campaign_Lik

📺: #DALvsAZ on CBS11
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7pAfvQ9tid pic.twitter.com/3TOSx2hFAw
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 23, 2026

Davis fumbled at the end of a kick return, but as a runner, he was excellent. At this point, he has to be the favorite for the RB2 job.

Loser: Sam Howell, QB

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Sam Howell passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sam Howell had a good game in Week 1, but wasn't as sharp in Week 2. Coming into the game in the second half after Joe Milton started, Howell wasn't able to create explosive plays the way Milton did in the first half. He also had an ugly red zone interception in the fourth quarter. Howell threw off his back foot while facing pressure, tossing a 50-50 ball toward Anthony Smith, but Arizona defensive back Isaiah Oliver came down with the ball instead.

Winner: Jaydon Blue, RB

Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue hurdles an Arizona Cardinals defender. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Malik Davis wasn't the only running back to stand out in this one. Jaydon Blue looked more comfortable in the offense than he has at any point in his career and led the team with 75 yards on 15 attempts. It was the exact type of game he needed to give himself confidence heading into year two.

Loser: Zack Kuntz, TE

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe tackles Dallas Cowboys tight end Zack Kuntz. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Dallas had a promising opening drive that went 66 yards on 12 plays, but ended in frustration. The Cowboys went for it on fourth-and-one, and Joe Milton made a good play -fake and a decent throw to tight end Zack Kuntz, who was unable to bring it in. He also had another pass go through his hands late in the first quarter, but the Cowboys still got a first down there as the Cards were called for unnecessary roughness on the play.

Kuntz had a great opportunity to make an impact, with injuries limiting the Cowboys to just two active tight ends (Kuntz and Luke Schoonmaker), and he let that slip through his fingers.

Winner: Shavon Revel, CB

Dallas Cowboys CB Shavon Revel Jr. runs with the ball after intercepting a pass in the first half against the Cardinals. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Shavon Revel has been one of the hottest names throughout training camp for the Cowboys, and on Saturday, he had his best showing as a pro. Revel was flagged for illegal contact early on the opening drive, but made up for that by recording an interception off Gardner Minshew to set up the Dallas offense for their first touchdown of the game.

Revel was taken out of the game after that as rookie Devin Moore replaced him. The Cowboys saw enough and are likely ready to let Revel watch for the rest of the preseason.

Winner: Jaishawn Barham, LB

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaishawn Barham goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rookie third-round pick Jaishawn Barham made his debut on Saturday night and was given a huge responsibility. Barham was given the "green-dot" duties, meaning he would be calling defensive plays. He was not only able to handle that, but also showed why he's quickly become a fan favorite.

Barham made his presence felt with a tackle for loss on their second defensive snap of the game. Barham bullied his way into the backfield and stuffed Corey Kiner for a one-yard loss.

This is just silly from Jaishawn Barham pic.twitter.com/z5KARJ4qGS
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 23, 2026

Barham was all over the field, finishing with five tackles. Dallas entered training camp with questions about their linebacker depth and Barham may have answered all of those questions.

Winner: Joe Milton III, QB

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III prepares to throw a pass in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Joe Milton III was falling behind Sam Howell in the QB2 race, with Howell starting in Week 1 against the Seahawks. Milton came in off the bench and played well, earning the chance to start this Saturday, and he didn't disappoint. Milton led them on a long drive early, which should have extended had Zack Kuntz held onto his fourth-down pass.

Dallas scored touchdowns on the next three drives, the first two thanks to touchdown passes from Milton. First was an eight-yarder to Malik Davis on third down. Later in the first quarter, he dropped a dime into the hands of Jonathan Mingo, who brought it in for a 53-yard score.

A big development in QB2 & WR5.

What a ball from Joe Milton III. pic.twitter.com/EhsesCXv9B
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 23, 2026

Milton continued to put points on the board, scoring on a one-yard touchdown run to cap off a four-play, 78-yard drive early in the second quarter, giving Dallas a 21-3 lead. In all, he was 9-of-13 passing for 179 yards with two touchdown passes, leading the Cowboys to a 24-6 lead going into the half.

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