Cardinals hand Cowboys costly loss on Monday Night Football

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Arizona Cardinals ended a five-game losing streak Monday night, beating the Dallas Cowboys 27-17 at AT&T Stadium.

The win steadied Arizona’s season and raised new questions for Dallas as its postseason hopes dimmed.

Jacoby Brissett threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns while adding another on the ground, leading the Cardinals in his third consecutive start in place of the injured Kyler Murray. Arizona improved to 3-5 under first-year coach Jonathan Gannon.

“The only thing I’m focused on is helping this team win games,” Brissett said when asked if his play might change the quarterback picture once Murray returns.

Dallas fell to 3-5-1 and continued to struggle on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys failed to score on two red-zone trips, including a costly goal-line stand early in the game that set the tone for the night.

The Cardinals’ defense forced two turnovers and limited Dallas to one offensive touchdown, a late scoring pass from Dak Prescott to Ryan Flournoy.

Brissett spread the ball to eight receivers, with rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. leading the way with seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Trey McBride added a 12-yard score that stretched Arizona’s lead to 27-10 midway through the third quarter.

Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the performance was frustrating but not surprising.

“We were going to be aggressive all game,” he said. “But we didn’t make the plays tonight.”

Cowboys falter in key moments

The Cowboys entered Week 9 ranked among the NFL’s worst on third down defense, allowing opponents to convert over 50 percent of their tries.

That trend continued as Arizona converted 7 of 9 third-down attempts in the first half and maintained control of the tempo.

Dallas’ offense, meanwhile, couldn’t sustain drives. Prescott finished 24 of 38 for 233 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

He was sacked three times, including a crucial third-quarter play that ended a promising drive.

Receiver CeeDee Lamb was limited to 59 yards on six catches, while the Cowboys’ running game gained only 83 yards total. Tony Pollard managed 3.4 yards per carry as the Cardinals’ front seven dictated the line of scrimmage.

Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman said during ESPN’s broadcast that the Cowboys’ issues go beyond any single player.

“I don’t think one guy is going to make a difference for this group,” he said.

Arizona’s defensive success came from steady pressure and solid tackling. Linebacker Kyzir White led the team with nine stops, and cornerback Garrett Williams’ second-quarter interception set up Harrison Jr.’s touchdown grab.

Cardinals gain needed momentum

For Gannon’s team, the victory carried weight beyond the scoreboard. The Cardinals had lost five straight since a Week 3 win over Washington and were searching for confidence in their new offensive system.

“This group never stopped believing,” Gannon said. “They’ve practiced hard, they’ve stayed together, and tonight they earned the result.”

Brissett’s poise helped Arizona finish drives—something it had struggled with all season. The Cardinals scored touchdowns on three of their four red-zone trips and committed no turnovers.

Arizona also controlled the pace, running 67 plays to Dallas’ 56 and holding the ball for more than 34 minutes. Kicker Matt Prater added two field goals from 41 and 49 yards.

The Cardinals’ offensive line allowed just one sack after giving up nine over the previous two games. Harrison Jr. credited the unit for giving Brissett time to find open receivers.

“It starts with the protection,” he said. “When Jacoby can stand in there, we can execute.”

What’s next for both teams

The Cowboys head into their bye week facing questions on defense and consistency on offense. They will next play the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 17, another primetime game that could define their playoff outlook.

For Arizona, the challenge continues on the road at Seattle. Gannon said the focus must remain steady. “One win doesn’t fix everything,” he said. “But it reminds us what we’re capable of.”

The Cardinals improved to 2-2 away from home and 2-1 against NFC East opponents. A balanced offense and a confident defense could help them re-enter the wild-card conversation heading into the second half of the season.

Key takeaways

• Jacoby Brissett led Arizona to a 27-17 Monday night win with three total touchdowns.

• Dallas missed multiple red-zone opportunities and dropped to 3-5-1.

• The Cardinals’ defense limited the Cowboys’ ground game and forced two turnovers.