Cardinals Break Losing Streak with Convincing Win Over Cowboys
The Arizona Cardinals finally found their way back to the win column on Sunday, snapping a frustrating five-game losing streak with a decisive 27-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. For a team that started the season with such promise at 2-0 before watching their momentum slip away, this win represented more than just improving to 3-5—it was about reclaiming their identity and keeping their season alive. Meanwhile, the Cowboys dropped to 3-5-1 heading into their bye week, facing serious questions after suffering back-to-back convincing losses. The win came at a crucial time for Arizona, giving the locker room a much-needed morale boost while demonstrating their resilience despite continued adversity.
Even without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who remained sidelined with a toe injury, the Cardinals offense found its rhythm behind backup Jacoby Brissett and rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. The second-year receiver put on a clinic in the first half alone, collecting seven catches for 96 yards and scoring the game’s first touchdown with a beautiful route that left Cowboys cornerback Da’Ron Bland completely frozen. Harrison’s performance highlighted why he was such a coveted draft pick, showcasing both technical route-running skills and big-play ability. Brissett, stepping in admirably for Murray, finished with an efficient 21-of-31 passing for 261 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating veteran poise despite facing consistent pressure that resulted in five sacks from the Dallas defense.
The Cardinals built an early lead, going up 10-0 after Harrison’s touchdown, and responded with composure when Dallas showed signs of life. After the Cowboys got on the board with a special teams touchdown when Sam Williams blocked a punt that Marshawn Kneeland recovered in the end zone, Arizona answered immediately. Brissett led a methodical 11-play, 74-yard drive that culminated in his own quarterback sneak for a touchdown. The Cardinals kept their foot on the gas to open the third quarter, with Michael Wilson breaking loose for a 50-yard catch-and-run that set up tight end Trey McBride’s touchdown reception, extending their lead to a commanding 24-7 and showing a killer instinct that had been missing during their losing streak.
Despite entering the game averaging over 30 points per contest, the Cowboys’ high-powered offense looked disjointed and ineffective against Arizona’s defense. Dallas struggled to establish consistency, with their opening drive ending on a turnover on downs and tight end Jake Ferguson fumbling away another promising possession in Arizona territory. When the Cowboys did threaten to mount a comeback, cutting the deficit to 10 points in the fourth quarter after Prescott connected with Ryan Flournoy for a touchdown, the Cardinals defense delivered the decisive blow. With under five minutes remaining, Arizona’s defense blitzed Prescott, forcing a quick throw to running back Javonte Williams, who wasn’t ready for the immediate hit that jarred the ball loose. Akeem Davis-Gaither’s fumble recovery effectively sealed the game for the Cardinals, preventing another potential late-game collapse.
The contrast between the teams’ offensive performances was striking throughout the contest. While Arizona found success through balanced attack—with Emari Demercado contributing 79 rushing yards on 14 carries and Trey McBride adding five catches for 55 yards—Dallas struggled despite individual bright spots. Javonte Williams ran effectively with 83 yards on 15 carries, and the receiving duo of CeeDee Lamb (seven catches, 85 yards) and George Pickens (six receptions, 79 yards) put up respectable numbers. However, the Cowboys’ promising drives repeatedly stalled due to critical errors, including Prescott’s late interception on the team’s final possession. The quarterback finished 24-of-39 for 250 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but those numbers tell only part of the story in what was a disappointing overall performance.
For Arizona, this victory represents potentially a turning point in their season—a complete team performance where the offense, defense, and special teams all made significant contributions. After several heartbreaking one-score losses during their five-game skid, the Cardinals finally demonstrated they could close out a game against a quality opponent. For Dallas, the loss sends them into their bye week with serious questions about their consistency and identity, having now been convincingly beaten in consecutive weeks. As both teams navigate the middle portion of their seasons, this game could prove pivotal in determining whether they ultimately contend for playoff positions or fade into the background of the NFL landscape.
