Game Prediction: ARZ 10, DAL 21

Update: Larry Foster, if you still remember him, is unlikely to play this week. The homecoming of Emmitt is generating more focus than expected in Dallas, with some defensive players finally being able to take bigtime shots at Emmitt for the first time ever. Smith will want to have his best game and will be plenty motivated, but so far there is little to suggest that it would matter.

He will either have a big day (unlikely) from his own personal effort or yet another lackluster day from the efforts of 11 defenders that have a special place for Emmitt (the turf). I am lowering the great one's numbers slightly. The Dallas defense holds less rosy affections for Emmitt than the fans do.

The Cardinals bid to find respectability this season took another big shot to the jaw last week when the Rams held them to only 161 yards of offense while gaining 399 yards and posting a 37-13 thrashing in St. Louis.

Jeff Blake only managed 10 of 17 for 88 yards before getting yanked from the game. Josh McCown added 47 yards to the effort while the Rams were in a prevent defense and all members of the secondary were tying their shoes.

Emmitt Smith had 12 carries for 25 yards though he did score one rushing touchdown. Marcel Shipp was last seen getting gas in his car a few weeks ago.

Anquan Boldin had seven catches for 86 yards, somehow managing a respectable game where there was none and Bryant Johnson had three catches for 40 yards. Bryan Gilmore and Larry Foster were finally available for the game but have been replaced by the rookie duo.

Outside of catching a visitor in 108 degree heat in Arizona, these Cardinals are meeting expectations. Emmitt finally gets to go home this week but will find a different team than the one he left.

The Cowboys, by force of will and fear of Parcells, are now 2-1 on the season and only one game behind the Redskins who could lose to the Eagles this week which would make the Cowboys... at the top of ... let's not get ahead of ourselves quite yet.

Dallas came off their bye week and in New York yet again, they won, yet again. Quincy Carter only completed 11 of 23 passes for 165 yards and one interception, but had a beautiful throw to the back of the endzone for Antonio Bryant's only catch in the game. Carter had six rushes for a net of a two yard loss but has been playing well within what he can do. Carter is not past the occasional errant throw, but just as often he shows an ability to thread the needle on an impressive play.

Joey Galloway had five catches for 100 yards while Terry Glenn had nothing on the day. Antonio Bryant gets matched up against CB Renaldo Hill, the same CB that was lit up by Torry Holt last week.

What was a new feature was Troy Hambrick rushing for 127 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown. Hambrick ran with good power and some speed but will never be confused with Barry Sanders. Last week saw the Cowboys playing almost perfectly to Parcells specs and while that will not always happen, it can again when the Cards come to town.

It will be an emotional game of sorts with the hometown hero Emmitt Smith wearing a bird beak on his helmet instead of a star. Smith's decision to remain in football and pile onto his rushing records are resulting in little more than a mere dusting. Smith will be as primed for the game as a 34 year old running back on a very bad team can get but as we have learned by now, it is not very much.

The Cowboys have still not allowed a rushing score and there is little hope that they will give Emmitt any gift. Look for the Cowboys to reach their peak in the standings this season with a dispatching of the Cardinals. Quincy Carter will have an easier time finding both Galloway and Bryant while Hambrick has the opportunity to show up his old teammate.