Arizona Cardinals Stunning 27-17 Victory

The Arizona Cardinals entered their Monday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys eager to end a five-game losing streak, and they accomplished that with a hard-fought, 27-17 road victory that felt as much like relief as it did redemption. Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett stepped up in place of the injured Kyler Murray, showcasing composure and making crucial plays when it mattered most. Meanwhile, the Cowboys once again missed an opportunity to gain momentum, while the Cardinals’ defense stepped up and the offense executed well enough to secure the win. For a team that has been close in nearly every loss this season, this victory felt like a turning point.

Offensive spark for the Arizona Cardinals

On a night where the Cardinals needed answers, Jacoby Brissett delivered. He finished with two passing touchdowns and even a rushing score, going 21 of 31 for 261 yards and no interceptions, precisely the kind of steady hand Arizona had hoped for, given Murray’s foot issue. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. quietly became the go-to target, hauling in a career-high seven catches for 96 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown. 

The Cardinals grabbed control early and kept swinging. After Dallas blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown (a rare special-teams misstep by Arizona), the Cardinals responded with long, methodical drives that punished Dallas’ defense and stiffened Arizona’s own. Arizona’s offense built momentum, converted third downs, and refused to let the Cowboys’ stingy special-teams play dictate the tone. It felt like a team finally piecing things together when it mattered.

Defensive toughness and momentum swings

If the offense laid the foundation, the Cardinals’ defense provided the nails in the coffin. After surrendering a special-teams touchdown early, Arizona locked down the Cowboys when it mattered most. Dallas couldn’t convert inside the red zone on multiple early drives, and when Arizona answered, they did so with force. Notably, rookie Walter Nolen III made an impact in his season debut, while Arizona’s front seven generated timely pressure.

Dallas’ offense managed yards, but not the decisive scores, especially when it counted in the third quarter and beyond. By halftime, the Cardinals had firmly swung the momentum in their favor and held a 17-7 lead. From that position, the Cowboys looked uncharacteristically flat, and Arizona refused to give them life. The defense held firm, and the offense responded.

The Cowboys’ missed opportunities

For the home side, this was supposed to be a night to bounce back, but it never quite materialized. The Cowboys penetrated Arizona territory on several occasions but came away empty-handed. Their first drive reached the 7-yard line and stalled, leading to a failed fourth-down conversion. That complacency proved costly. 

Quarterback Dak Prescott and company managed yardage but lacked finish, especially in the red zone. At one point, Dallas fumbled the momentum entirely when Brissett connected with Michael Wilson on a 50-yard strike right after halftime, putting the Cardinals up comfortably.  In many ways, the Cowboys’ troubles reflect deeper issues: an inconsistent offense, a defense that can’t hold leads, and special teams that flip the momentum. Monday’s win for Arizona only magnified Dallas’ malaise.

What this win means for the Arizona Cardinals moving forward

This victory is more than the scoreboard. For the Arizona Cardinals, snapping the five-game losing streak injects belief, not just that they can win, but that they can win on the road, against playoff-caliber opponents, without their franchise quarterback. It shifts the narrative from “so close again” to “we did it” and may change how they approach the rest of the season.

That said, the Cardinals are still 3-5, and the road ahead remains rugged in the NFC West. However, tonight, they took back some swagger. Next week, they head to Seattle, and if they bring the energy and execution displayed here, they’ll be dangerous. The league may have taken them for granted during the losing streak, but it shouldn’t.