Cowboys (4-1) vs. Cardinals (3-2)

The Dallas Cowboys enter Sunday’s game vs. Arizona at 4-1 yet seemingly too often answering questions about Terrell Owens (not enough balls his way) or Pacman Jones (pick your legal issue).

Jones was involved in a fight with one of his own team-assigned bodyguards this week, which just adds to the circus that is Dallas these days. And certainly the Cowboys haven’t been as dominant as many expected, but they are still 4-1 and are 4.5-point road favorites this week on WagerWeb.com.

Tight end Jason Witten and some of the players were not aware of the Pacman incident until they were told by coach Wade Phillips.

“Coach Phillips just reminded us to stay focused and think about the challenge at hand and not to let all of this get in the way of it,” Witten said. “If we let it, it will definitely be a distraction.”

Really, the more important news in the Dallas secondary this week involved top cover corner Terence Newman. He had surgery this week to repair a sports hernia and will miss a least a month, which means Jones will continue to start. Arizona is one of the surprises in the league and leads the NFC West thanks mainly to a passing game that ranks third in the NFL behind Kurt Warner. However, the Cards again will be without All-Pro WR Anquan Boldin, who underwent surgery on a fractured facial bone last Thursday after he suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit on September 28 against the New York Jets. Boldin has caught 27 balls for 366 yards and five touchdowns in four games this season.

“He’s just not quite ready,” said Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt.

That Dallas offense is as good as any in football, but Tony Romo has a pick in eight consecutive games. He also has lost two fumbles. More important, the opposition has turned his seven turnovers into 29 points.

Dallas made a commitment last week in getting the ball to RB Marion Barber, who had 23 carries against the Bengals; he had just eight attempts the previous week against the Redskins. The Cowboys are 23-1 when Barber has at least 11 carries.

In the past, Dallas fans would take over in the desert, but Arizona is 8-2 overall in Glendale under Whisenhunt, and the past three games have been blowout wins.

The Cowboys have won three consecutive games including the last meeting, 27-10 in Week 10 of 2006.

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