TEMPE, Ariz. — The NFC champions will make the Arizona Cardinals’ facility their temporary home during the week before Super Bowl XLIX. That fact has not escaped the Cardinals players because coach Bruce Arians won’t let it.

“Don’t let someone else dress in your locker in February,” has been his message to the players.

Despite having his eyes on that horizon, Arians has been able to get his team to realize that the only way to advance to the Super Bowl in February is to win now. And so far, the Cardinals have done a good job of not letting their 7-1 record go to their heads.

“We feel like we can go anywhere and play, and play well and overcome mistakes,” Arians said Monday, a day after his team beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-17. “Finishing games off is something that our guys are getting used to.”

The Cardinals became a confident group last season by winning seven of their last nine games, including at Seattle in Week 16.

It has carried over to this season, although coming from behind three times in the fourth quarter has bolstered the group, too.

Asked if confidence resulted in winning or if winning produced confidence, Arians said, “It’s a little bit of both. You lose close games and you learn how to lose. You win close games and you learn how to win. You see it all the time.

“Our guys are finding ways to win,” he said, adding that “fourth-quarter football has been outstanding, getting turnovers and then capitalizing. We may stink it up for three quarters offensively, but then all of a sudden when it’s crunch time we’ll score. That’s learning how to win.”

There is room for improvement, especially on offense. The Cardinals move the ball sporadically and can go long periods when they do little right.

That happened in the third quarter in Dallas when penalties stopped a couple of drives.

“We still haven’t played as well as we can offensively,” Arians said. “That’s the thing that’s nice. We’re scoring points, but we’re not scoring enough points and we’re not maintaining enough production time. We got close this time, but with the talent we have we should be able to score a point per minute of possession time.”

NOTES: RB Stepfan Taylor likely will miss a second consecutive game with a calf injury. Marion Grice is now the backup running back, and Kerwynn Williams was promoted from the practice squad last week. … CB Patrick Peterson has been playing through an undisclosed health issue, coach Bruce Arians said. Arians declined to reveal details but said Peterson is fine now. … RB Andre Ellington was evaluated for a concussion during last Sunday’s game, and was cleared to return. Ellington said his helmet pushed down close to his eyes and he was unable to see for a short time.

REPORT CARD VS. COWBOYS

–PASSING OFFENSE: B — Quarterback Carson Palmer had a pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown on the opening possession. After that, he was sharp and completed 22 of 34 for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Receivers dropped five passes, with tight end John Carlson failing to hold three.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: B — RB Andre Ellington gained 95 yards and easily would have gone over 100 had he not had runs negated due to penalties. But the offensive line was confused at times by line stunts and missed some blocks.

–PASS DEFENSE: A — Yes, Tony Romo didn’t play for the Cowboys. But the Cardinals did what they had to do, rattling Brandon Weeden and intercepting two of his passes. Patrick Peterson didn’t allow Dez Bryant to catch a pass until late in the fourth quarter, after the game was out of reach.

–RUSH DEFENSE: A — Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray gained 79 yards, the first time this season he has been held under 100. The 3-4 is the Cardinals’ base defense. On Sunday, coordinator Todd Bowles employed a 4-3 alignment a good portion of the game. The Cowboys had difficulty with it. Tackle Dan Williams led the team with seven tackles on just 30 snaps.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: B — Justin Bethel blocked a field goal on the last play of the first half. It’s his third block in two years, and a big reason he made the Pro Bowl a year ago. The punt coverage team needs work. It’s given up significant returns in the last two weeks. Drew Butler, who took over punting duties from the injured Dave Zastudil, isn’t as adept at placing the ball deep.

–COACHING: A — Coordinator Todd Bowles made a nice adjustment going to the 4-3 alignment at times. The offense can still produce more. Mistakes stalled that unit through the third quarter. But there were some nicely designed plays, and the Cardinals scored four touchdowns on four red zone situations. All came on third down.