The Dallas Cowboys couldn’t have scripted a better first half in Saturday’s 34-13 blowout preseason win against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cowboys face the New Orleans Saints next Friday in their only home preseason game AT&T Stadium with a chance going undefeated in the preseason for the first time since when they went 3-0-1 in Bill Parcells’ final season as coach.

That exhibition run was sparked by the break through of Tony Romo at quarterback.

Likewise, Joe Milton may be coming of age in his bid to be a legitimate trustworthy backup behind starter Dak Prescott.

Milton showed tremendous growth in the second half of the preseason opening win against the Seattle Seahawks.

He got the start against the Cardinals continued to build on that performance. He showed command, he showed touch, he showed mobility and he showed off that rocket arm, throwing two touchdown passes and running for one while leading the Cowboys to a 24-6 halftime lead.

He should have had a chance for three touchdown passes but tight end Zack Kuntz dropped a wide open fourth-down pass in the red zone on the opening drive that would have at least given the Cowboys a first down.

Milton quickly made up for the next time the Cowboys got the ball, thanks to an interception from emerging second-year cornerback Shavon Revel.

Milton avoided the rush and displayed touch with a nice ball to running back Malik Davis, who ran it in from 8 yards out.

Milton then showed off his rocket with a perfect 53-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Mingo. Milton hit Mingo in stride who used his strength to pull away from the defender and race to the end zone.

It was the first touchdown on Mingo’s career, which is surprise considering he is a former second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers. It’s another testament to Mingo’s growth and a strong camp in his hopes finally contributing after receiver for the first time since coming over in a trade two years ago.

Mingo’s effort should be good enough to hold off undrafted rookie Camden Brown, who had highlight-reel touchdown catches against the Seahawks last week, for the fifth receiver spot.

The Cowboys might have to keep six receivers on the active roster with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and Kavante Turpin as the top four.

Brown showed up again the next time the Cowboys got the ball but it was an example of Miton’s growth. Milton bought time, directed Brown to an open spot and tossed a nice ball to him running wide open, crossing from from right to left.

Brown went 70 yards down the left sideline before being tackled at the 1.

Milton did the rest with a run for the score.

Milton finished the first half 9 of 13 for 179 yards.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Milton has played well the last two games, putting together two really good halves.

“I think it’s funny because we threw the double move to Mingo off the time out and that was kind of the last reminder that coach Steve Shimko gave him was, ‘Hey, put good air under it,’,” Schottenheimer said. “And Joe’s been doing that. I mean, he’s just the fade to Cam Brown last game, under duress. This game is about being able to control the RPMs of football with different speeds and touches. And he’s done that at a really high level. But I thought the scramble to his left to Cam was a big play as well. And then he was able to get in with his leg. So the touchdown to Malik, he stepped up in the pocket, running to his left, just from me to you a little bit. And he just kind of took a little something off and gave Malik a chance to catch it and go. So really proud of him.”

Sam Howell took at quarterback over for the final two quarters. He was 7 of 10 for 65 yards with an interception.

The first half also featured Malik Davis’ push for the No. 2 running back spot behind Javonte Williams. Davis the start in front of Jaydon Blue and showed burst and patience, rushing for 29 yards on 5 carries.

He also had a nice pick up on a blitz in pass protection and haul in an eight-yard touchdown reception on a third down in the red zone.

Blue supplanted him in the second quarter and fashioned quite the night himself, despite missing practice all week with an injured shoulder.

“We wanted to see him,” Schottenheimer said of Blue. “He’s been banged up a little bit in that shoulder and wanted to see how he would do. I thought he ran hard and we wanted to lean on him early in the third quarter and see how he did. But all in all, I thought he ran well. Had some really nice runs, couple 11, 12 yards. I thought they were really good. He ran physically, which I think is important.”

Blue rushed 15 times for 75 yards. He showed speed, decisiveness and elusiveness.

Running back Phil Mafah closed out the scoring for the Cowboys for 15-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Outside of Revel’s interception, the highlight on defense for the Cowboys was the play and presence of rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham.

A third-round pick out of Michigan, Barham didn’t play in the preseason opener with a groin injury.

He made his presence felt immediately against the Cardinals with a couple of bone-jarring tackles for losses and a physical style of play that has the team and Cowboys fans excited about what he can do in 2026 as well as the future.

Barham had five tackles, including four solos in just a quarter of play.

Look for Barham to be big part of the defense in rotation with starting linebackers Dee Winters and DeMarvion Overshown.

“I saw the physicality that I thought I would see,” Schottenheimer said. “But I want to see the film before I speak too much on it. But I saw him rocking heads, if you will.”

It was the first Cowboys win in Arizona since 2017.

But more than the win, the Cowboys are controlling games, making plays on offense and keeping the opponents out of the end zone on defense.

The Cowboys averaged 5.1 yards per carry on the ground. They have given up just two touchdowns in seven red zone chances by the opposing offense the past two games.

This 2-0 record is evident that the Cowboys are a deeper team than they were a year ago and exhibiting the play style the coaches want to see on offense and defense.

“I think the wins are great,” Schottenheimer said. “I’ve always thought, because my dad said it, the preseason record is never remembered. But I think what we’ve shown in the last two games is there’s a play style about this team, whoever’s in the game. And that’s one of physicality, effort playing together. And I do think that we played that way tonight for really four quarters and I’m proud of the guys for that.”

It will make for some tough cuts in the next seven days or so.

“I think we can all do the assignment and put the two depth charts down next to each other last year, this time, and today this time,” Schottenheimer said. “Taking nothing away from our football team last year. We’re more talented on paper and really excited about the defense and the way they’re playing. And you sit 29 guys and you’re still able to do what we were able to do. You’re getting those guys invaluable reps to help us make these decisions. It will be very tough decisions.”