Friday, October 11, 1996

Cowboys Try to Stretch 11-Game Win Streak Against Arizona
By the Associated Press
(Oct. 11, 1996)

DALLAS (AP) - The last thing the Dallas Cowboys want to do is spark an uprising in the locker rooms of Sunday's opponent. So, despite 11 straight victories against the Arizona Cardinals - and the return of star wide receiver Michael Irvin - you won't hear any Cowboys dissing the Birds.

"You can't, we can't, rely on past history," Cowboys coach Barry Switzer said. "There is no slack left for us; we've lost three games. We can't lose any more."

Besides, the Cowboys' streak rests partly on a string of deus ex machina-like interventions that can't be counted on forever.

There was the winning touchdown pass a dazed Troy Aikman threw to Alvin Harper in 1994 - just one play after after being knocked unconscious by Cardinals linebacker Wilber Marshall.

Backup Cowboys quarterbacks Rodney Peete and Bernie Kosar have each come from behind to lead the team to victory. In Peete's case, it was the fourth-quarter, come-from-behind variety.

Both of the Cowboys' 200-yard receiving days in the 1990s have come against the Cards. In 1992, Michael Irvin had 210 yards, and Kevin Williams had 203 on the last day of the 1995 season as the Cowboys clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs.

The perspective is somewhat different for Sunday's 68th edition of Cowboys-Cardinals. These Cowboys are 2-3, off to their worst five-game start since 1990. The Cardinals are also 2-3, but they have a new coach, new quarterback and new running back and are looking for their third straight win.

Bad drafts and a revolving door at the head coach's office have dragged the Cardinals to a 34-67 record in the 1990s. Thus, Irvin's return from a five-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy seems to come under favorable circumstances. The Cowboys, however, sound chastened if not humble heading into the game.

"How do you keep from getting overconfident?" tackle Erik Williams asked. "Look at our record."

Four of the 11 Cowboys victories have come by seven points or fewer. And it may be the long-suffering Cardinals' turn to win this time. A 12th straight Cowboys triumph would tie the team record of consecutive victories against an opponent. Under Tom Landry, Dallas beat the New York Giants 12 straight times beginning in 1974.

"The Cardinals have always played us tough," strong safety Darren Woodson said. "They've got the players this year to play us tough."

Cardinals quarterback Kent Graham, Week 5 NFL player of the week, will start, as will running back LeShon Johnson, Week 4 player of the week.

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