# Milton throws 2 TDs in 1st half, makes case for Cowboys' backup job in 34-13 win over Cardinals

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-24 00:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Milton positions himself for the Dallas Cowboys' backup quarterback role following a dominant preseason performance against the Arizona Cardinals.

## Intelligence Brief
The Dallas Cowboys secured a 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in their second preseason game, a result characterized by coverage as a shellacking of a lowly Cardinals team. The central focus of the game was the performance of Milton, who played a significant role in the first half of the contest. Milton successfully threw two touchdown passes during this opening period, a feat that has led to discussions regarding his potential role on the active roster. The win highlights the Cowboys' current offensive momentum as they navigate their preseason schedule and evaluate their depth at the quarterback position. Coverage from AP News and NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth emphasizes that Milton's first-half production serves as a strong case for him to secure the Cowboys' backup quarterback job. These outlets specifically highlight the two touchdowns as the primary evidence of his readiness.


Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports has approached the game through a broader lens, analyzing the winners and losers from the second preseason matchup. Yahoo Sports also identified three specific lessons learned from the victory over Arizona, framing the win as a decisive outcome against an opponent they described as lowly. This development is significant because it occurs during the critical evaluation window of the preseason, where backup positions are decided based on limited game action. The focus on Milton suggests a competitive environment for the second-string spot on the Cowboys' depth chart. The disparity in the final score of 34-13 indicates a dominant performance by Dallas, providing a platform for depth players to showcase their abilities against the Cardinals. The narrative surrounding the game revolves around which players successfully capitalized on the opportunity to improve their standing with the coaching staff.


Future attention will be directed toward whether the Cowboys' coaching staff formalizes Milton's role as the backup quarterback following this performance. Observers will be monitoring subsequent preseason evaluations to see if Milton can maintain the momentum established in the first half of the Cardinals game. As the team moves further into the preseason, the results of the second game will likely be weighed against other performances to determine the final roster construction. The outcome of the Cowboys' remaining preseason activities will determine if the case made by Milton results in a permanent backup designation.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Sports | Cowboys news: Winners and losers from the Cowboys second preseason game | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxQUXRSX3JLdkthdkhnQ0VFMXoycTV2dUxkUFREb3VlQUhXRUJTMkc4YmltVzFiX0oxY0txQVNOeGJWcVpBd2dLeXJrMHRXQkV5Rm8wQlFEeWFka2YxQkJFakV3WTdwTlIwRDZjV0pncTZENWtwX2d5MHN4MEpkNmhhalpodVhDXzRMaWhZag?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | 3 things learned from Cowboys preseason shellacking of the lowly Cards | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxNTnlZbUxuRFN1SlptNTFiMDFPX0JVY2NZVTRkSldzOUdTQ21qR1pURnZwWlNJaEc4LTdMdk55eUw2ZGJaUlhEeGl5azc5Z2JzSXYyMDRLemVNek9lQ3JQMVF0R1RBMmF0NUdWU0R5a3dZTkhoWG9IRl94QzhIVWt4MG9WZFk0LTFnSnNB?oc=5) |
| NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth | Milton throws 2 TDs in 1st half, makes case for Cowboys' backup job in win over Cardinals | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxNUkd5S0xjSlpISFpMN1U0S1BRb0JNUTNzRnhkWUdKanRZUkNfa1dVTVZqZ3o0VEZRMVBIY2g3V2FHZkRkVUtwWFRPVGNpbHl6NEYyX1cwUmRyN3BqZEJaakd0Zlg5aHBaUlpWSnB4NmZDTVB6TWFZSUtqS3V6TUp0b3dZM0dYX0ZuQ2RKejNxZE9LWEFfbW93alFCa01ZVjdnYnp0QkJjMHNfU18xbU5EUm1JV0txcUhCMlgzYm0tZ21yd1RaZzMzSTBuNNIB0wFBVV95cUxObUlOZVFRckJLZEU2d1dzUUZBR2ZvZktnMHZOZEFSRGhCS1BRV0pGcS11NGdPelVfbHZjNHhQRGJMUV9KWW83Zm90bTI4MEtCM3NiamM2RVRXRkVROWQycVFqN3ZvUEp2WmR6SFlyV3Q4ZWN3SXh5dTY0VDFwelBFNnk5MmE2Vjk) |
| AP News | Milton throws 2 TDs in 1st half, makes case for Cowboys' backup job in 34-13 win over Cardinals | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxQY3MzRm0zV0hWcTRnNVM0LTN6UE9zVXpUQVpaOXJBX1BDQWdGMVF2Mlh3Y1ZDS0I2eS1nV25jMTY2M3VhV3JjRDUwckNwbHg3MUV5UFhRUzNPb2VrWjZGOHdDcXpBVEdrQ3ZoZzdFZE9fb05YODhQLVQ5RHE3WFI2eHRXUHNJWnpCSlRB?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-24/milton-throws-2-tds-in-1st-half-makes-case-for-cowboys-backup-job-in-34-13-win*