Milton rising in Cowboys’ QB2 battle? The Cowboys’ QB2 competition between Sam Howell and Joe Milton III was even entering Saturday night’s game against the Cardinals. Milton started the game for Dallas (Howell started last week’s contest) and did everything he could — and then some — to show he’s worthy of backing up Dak Prescott in the regular season. After the opening drive stalled on downs in the red zone, the third-year QB led four straight scoring drives, three for touchdowns and another that ended with a 50-yard boot from Brandon Aubrey just before halftime. Milton’s three scores displayed his tremendous ability to extend plays and what he can do with his cannon of an arm: On the Cowboys’ first TD of the night, Milton evaded pressure in the pocket, rolled left and hit running back Malik Davis for 8 yards. He then launched a deep throw to Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard score. Finally, Milton had a 1-yard TD run that was set up by a 70-yard pass play to receiver Camden Brown, last week’s preseason darling. Milton finished the night with 179 yards and two TDs on 9-of-13 passing, seemingly separating himself from Howell, who went 7-of-10 for 65 yards with an INT in the end zone.
— Brooke Cersosimo