Rank'Em
Rank'Em: Top 10 Matchups vs. Cardinals
Before we look ahead to Sunday's matchup in Arizona, let's look back to the Top 10 games between the Cardinals and Cowboys.
10. Cowboys vs. Cardinals • Nov. 3, 1974 • Texas Stadium • W, 17-14
The visiting Cardinals came into this matchup undefeated, which included a 31-28 win over the Cowboys just three weeks earlier. Dallas, though, would get its revenge when Calvin Hill scored early in the fourth quarter before Efren Herrera then kicked a 20-yard field goal with only four seconds remaining to give the Cowboys the victory.
9. Cowboys at Cardinals • Dec. 15, 1963 • Busch Stadium (Sportsman's Park) • W, 28-24
The second-coldest regular-season contest in Cowboys history with a game-time temperature of 16 degrees and a frigid wind chill of minus-9, this also marked the franchise's first-ever victory over the Cardinals after starting 0-6. Down 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter, Dallas got touchdown catches from Pettis Norman and Frank Clarke to take home the win.
8. Cowboys vs. Cardinals • Nov. 16, 1970 • Cotton Bowl • L, 0-38
This was significant because of what happened afterwards. So bad were the Cowboys in their first appearance on Monday Night Football that fans began chanting for Don Meredith to come out of the TV booth. Embarrassed, the Dallas defense vowed never again and proceeded to dominate in seven straight wins to reach the Super Bowl.
7. Cowboys at Cardinals • Oct. 15, 1978 • Busch Memorial Stadium • W, 24-21 (OT)
The Cowboys had two chances for victory late in regulation, but fumbled on the Cardinals' 16-yard line and then, after taking possession back with an interception, saw Rafael Septien's 49-yard field goal blocked with 1 second left. But Septien would get another chance, splitting the uprights from 47 yards out in overtime to win it.
6. Cowboys at Cardinals • Dec. 25, 2010 • University of Phoenix Stadium • L, 26-27
The Cardinals were up 21-3 at one point, thanks to not one but two pick-sixes. However, the Cowboys battled back, taking the lead on a Miles Austin touchdown with 1:41 left in the game. Unfortunately, Dallas missed the extra-point, and sure enough, Arizona took advantage, kicking a field goal with five seconds remaining to win it.
5. Cowboys vs. Cardinals • Oct. 5, 2003 • Texas Stadium • W, 24-7
Now with the Cardinals, this marked the return of Emmitt Smith, who admitted breaking down in tears before the game. The rest of the day wasn't much better for the former Cowboys great. Against a Dallas defense that produced two safeties, Smith carried the ball six times for minus-1 yard before being sidelined due to injury.
4. Cowboys vs. Cardinals • Dec. 16, 1990 • Texas Stadium • W, 41-10
This was a much better day for Emmitt. On his way to earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, the star running back rushed for two touchdowns in the first quarter and a career-high four overall in the game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys defense recorded three interceptions, two by safety James Washington, and recovered a fumble as well.
3. Cowboys at Cardinals • Oct. 12, 2008 • University of Phoenix Stadium • L, 24-30 (OT)
Down 24-14 with just over three minutes remaining, the Cowboys' Marion Barber scored at the two-minute mark before Nick Folk then kicked a 52-yard field as the clock hit zeroes to force overtime. But the Cardinals earned the victory by returning a blocked punt for a touchdown, the only blocked punt game-winner in NFL history.
2. Cowboys vs. Cardinals • Sept. 30, 1973 • Texas Stadium • W, 45-10
The Cardinals had a respectable 290 yards of total offense … and the Cowboys nearly doubled their output, racking up 578 yards, the third-most in franchise history. Remarkably, while 250 of that total came on the ground, not one player surpassed 100 yards. Four different rushers earned at least 30 with Calvin Hill's 84 leading the way.
1. Cowboys vs. Cardinals • Sept. 28, 1975 • Texas Stadium • W, 37-31 (OT)
Dallas would win this one in overtime after the two teams combined for 58 second-half points, which is still a team record. The real highlight came when rookie Thomas Henderson (a linebacker!) returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and then slam-dunked the ball over the goalpost, the first in NFL history to ever do so.
