Lead
The Arizona Cardinals led the Dallas Cowboys 17-7 at halftime of Monday Night Football after Jacoby Brissett threw a touchdown and ran for another. The game, played Monday night, featured Arizona without Kyler Murray and a Dallas defense that allowed 190 yards in the opening half. Dallas managed a single touchdown on a blocked-punt recovery, while Brandon Aubrey missed a 68-yard field-goal attempt that would have tied the NFL record. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Monday the team “has a trade in place,” signaling roster urgency after the first-half performance.
Key Takeaways
- Halftime score: Arizona Cardinals 17, Dallas Cowboys 7 at Monday night halftime.
- Arizona starter Jacoby Brissett was 15-of-22 for 158 yards with one passing TD and one rushing TD.
- Marvin Harrison Jr. caught six passes for 80 yards and the Cardinals’ four-yard touchdown.
- Cowboys offense totaled 122 yards in the half; Dak Prescott was 8-of-16 for 75 yards and left limping after an ankle twist.
- Cowboys defense allowed 190 yards in the half and entered the game ranked second in total defense behind Cincinnati.
- Special teams swing: Sam Williams blocked an Arizona punt that Marshawn Kneeland recovered in the end zone for Dallas’s only TD.
- Brandon Aubrey missed a 68-yard field-goal try that, if made, would have tied the NFL record set the prior day.
Background
The Cardinals started the evening without Kyler Murray, turning the offense over to veteran Jacoby Brissett. Arizona came into the week with the 22nd-ranked offense, a mark that had suggested limitations but not the inability to score on early possessions. The Cowboys arrived with one of the NFL’s stingiest overall defenses, ranked second in total defense entering this matchup, which raised expectations for a defensive battle.
Special teams and turnovers have been decisive factors for both clubs this season and remained so at halftime. Dallas has relied on a strong run defense and pressure packages, while Arizona’s game plan without Murray emphasized short-to-intermediate passing and more quarterback mobility from Brissett. Owner Jerry Jones’s comment that the Cowboys “have a trade in place” reflects front-office attention to roster gaps, especially if the first-half performance is considered symptomatic rather than isolated.
Main Event
Arizona opened efficiently, scoring on three of its first four possessions. Brissett connected with Marvin Harrison Jr. on a 4-yard touchdown pass and later executed a 1-yard quarterback sneak to reach the end zone again; the combined drives produced the Cardinals’ 17 first-half points. Brissett finished the half 15-of-22 for 158 yards and a touchdown, with Harrison collecting six receptions for 80 yards.
The Cowboys’ only scoring play in the half came when special teams flipped field position: Sam Williams blocked an Arizona punt and Marshawn Kneeland recovered it in the end zone for a Dallas touchdown. That play accounted for Dallas’s seven points at intermission. Otherwise, Dallas’s offense sputtered — a turnover on downs inside the red zone, a three-and-out series and a fumble by Jake Ferguson limited scoring chances.
Dallas attempted a long field goal on the final possession of the half; Brandon Aubrey’s 68-yard attempt fell short, missing a chance to tie the NFL’s longest field-goal mark set the previous day by Jacksonville’s Cam Little. Dak Prescott completed 8 of 16 passes for 75 yards and left the field with a noticeable limp after Calais Campbell landed on his ankle on the half’s final play.
Analysis & Implications
Arizona’s offense, despite Murray’s absence, showed the sort of ball-control and situational efficiency that can keep a team competitive when a starter is out. Brissett’s 158 passing yards and his ability to finish a short-yardage sequence on the sneak demonstrate pocket competence and an added rushing element that complicates defensive game plans. Marvin Harrison Jr.’s six catches for 80 yards reinforce his role as the Cardinals’ top intermediate threat.
Dallas’s offensive struggles in the half are especially consequential because the team entered with a strong defensive identity; when the offense cannot sustain drives, the defense faces extended time on the field and mounting fatigue. The 190 yards allowed in one half contrasts with the Cowboys’ season-long defensive ranking and suggests either schematic mismatches or execution lapses in coverage and pass rush.
Special teams again proved decisive. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown is a two-fold swing: it adds points and shifts momentum while denying the opponent an offensive scoring opportunity. The missed 68-yard field goal underscores the team’s limited trusted options for long-range scoring and keeps a cap on the offense’s ability to recover quickly from stalled drives.
Injury watch matters. Prescott’s ankle incident — a twist caused when Calais Campbell landed on it — will be monitored closely. Even a short-term limp can affect mobility, third-down conversions and deep-throw mechanics. Combined with Jerry Jones’s public note that a trade is in place, the Cowboys may adjust both short-term game plans and longer-term roster moves depending on what medical checks reveal.
Comparison & Data
| Statistic | Arizona (1H) | Dallas (1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 190 | 122 |
| Passing (leader) | Brissett 15-22, 158 | Prescott 8-16, 75 |
| Leading receiver | Marvin Harrison Jr. 6-80-1 | George Pickens 2-28 |
The first-half numbers show Arizona outgaining Dallas by 68 yards with a clear edge in passing production. The Cardinals’ scoring came on high-success possessions, whereas Dallas converted special-teams success into its only points. Those contrasts explain the 10-point halftime margin and highlight areas each side must address in the second half.
Reactions & Quotes
Team and ownership reactions after the half signaled concern on Dallas’s side and measured satisfaction from Arizona for stepping up without Murray.
“We have a trade in place,” Jerry Jones said Monday, indicating the Cowboys were actively pursuing roster help following the first half.
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner (as reported)
Observers noted that Arizona’s ability to score without its usual starter suggests the team has more offensive depth than its 22nd ranking implied.
“Brissett managed the game and gave Arizona both a passing and short-yardage rushing threat, which has kept drives alive tonight,” analysts noted after the half.
NFL analyst commentary (media)
Unconfirmed
- The exact contents or targets of the trade Jerry Jones referenced have not been disclosed and remain unconfirmed.
- The immediate severity of Dak Prescott’s ankle twist and whether it will affect his availability beyond halftime is not yet confirmed.
- Any long-term lineup changes or game-plan adjustments tied to the halftime performance are speculative until coaching staff makes formal announcements.
Bottom Line
At halftime the Cardinals held a 17-7 lead after efficient offensive series from Jacoby Brissett and a pivotal special-teams score for Dallas. Arizona’s ability to produce points without Kyler Murray and Dallas’s inability to sustain offensive drives created the halftime deficit for the Cowboys.
The second half will hinge on whether Dallas can protect Prescott, sustain drives to relieve defensive pressure, and whether Arizona can continue efficient possession football. Jerry Jones’s public reference to a pending trade raises the stakes for Dallas’s roster and suggests the organization views the issues exposed in the first half as addressable yet urgent.
Sources
- NBC Sports — media report of the game and quotes.
- NFL.com — official league site for statistics and game context.
- Dallas Cowboys — official team site.
- Arizona Cardinals — official team site.