Lead: On Monday night, Nov. 3, 2025, the Arizona Cardinals took a 24-7 lead over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Week 9’s Monday Night Football. Arizona, coming off a five-game losing streak, capitalized on efficient drives and turnovers while Dallas struggled to protect the ball and stop opponents. Backup QB Jacoby Brissett accounted for multiple scores for the Cardinals, and Brandon Aubrey missed a 68-yard field-goal attempt for Dallas before halftime. The result amplified questions about Dallas’ defensive slide and Arizona’s slim playoff window in a crowded NFC West.
Key Takeaways
- Halftime score: Cardinals 24, Cowboys 7, after Arizona scored just before and after the break to build a 17-point cushion.
- Arizona entered the night on a five-game losing streak but has kept games close this season; every Cardinals game so far has been decided by one score.
- Dallas’ offense has been prolific—scoring 35+ points in four games this season—but the defense entered Week 8 ranked No. 31 in both points and yards allowed.
- Jacoby Brissett started for the Cardinals with Kyler Murray inactive (foot); Brissett produced both a passing and a rushing touchdown in the first half.
- Special-teams swings were pivotal: Dallas returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, and Brandon Aubrey missed a 68-yard field-goal try that would have tied an NFL record.
- Turnovers and drops hurt Dallas’ momentum—Jake Ferguson’s fumble after a catch negated a long third-down conversion opportunity.
- The game is the final matchup before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4, 2025, potentially affecting roster decisions for both franchises.
Background
The Cowboys entered Week 9 as an offensively dangerous team but one whose defensive shortcomings have repeatedly surfaced. Through eight weeks, Dallas has frequently put up points—three wins and a tie came in high-scoring affairs—but the unit’s ranking near the bottom of the league in points and yards allowed has left the club vulnerable. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offense still features MVP-caliber play from Dak Prescott, yet nightly defensive holes create pressure to make roster or schematic adjustments before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, arrived in Arlington with playoff hopes dimming in a stacked NFC West. Arizona had lost five straight entering the game but maintained a pattern of close contests: every outing decided by one score. Injuries have complicated Arizona’s season; starter Kyler Murray remained out with a foot issue, elevating veteran Jacoby Brissett to the starting role. That reliance on a journeyman quarterback has forced Arizona to play more methodical, mistake-averse football while trying to stay competitive in a tough division.
Main Event
The opening sequence favored Arizona, which drove into scoring position and took a 3-0 lead after Chad Ryland converted a 48-yard field goal. Dallas’ first possession ended in a turnover on downs near the goal line, swinging early momentum to the visitors. Arizona methodically moved the ball on its early series, converting third downs and establishing a physical presence on offense.
Dallas answered with a special-teams spark when Sam Williams blocked an Arizona punt; Marshawn Kneeland recovered in the end zone for a Cowboys touchdown that narrowed the gap to 10-7. But mistakes resurfaced for Dallas—receiver drops, penalties and a costly fumble by tight end Jake Ferguson on third-and-long stalled potential scoring drives and kept Arizona in control.
Arizona engineered multiple lengthy drives, including an 11-play, 74-yard series capped by a Brissett rushing touchdown. Later, a three-play, 74-yard flurry—highlighted by a 50-yard completion to Michael Wilson—set up a Trey McBride score that extended the lead to 24-7. Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey had a 68-yard attempt to end the half but missed wide left; that try would have been tied for the longest made FG in league history had it been successful.
Injuries and personnel notes influenced the night: pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. left with a shoulder issue and was listed questionable to return, while Kyler Murray remained inactive. Marvin Harrison Jr. produced a highlight grab and a toe-and-ankle-breaking route that repeatedly challenged Dallas’ secondary.
Analysis & Implications
For Dallas, the game underscored a season-long tension: an elite offense hampered by an underperforming defense. Even when the Cowboys put up points, defensive lapses have erased advantages and forced close games. If the defense finishes the season near its current ranking, the team faces the difficult choice of addressing the roster at the trade deadline or gambling on internal adjustments—either option carries short-term and long-term consequences for postseason chances.
Arizona’s performance, led by Brissett’s efficient game management, demonstrates how the Cardinals can stay relevant despite injuries and a losing streak. That every Arizona game has been a one-score affair suggests the team remains competitive; converting a few of those close losses into wins would reshape Arizona’s outlook in the NFC West. Yet relying on a backup quarterback and spotty defense makes consistent success unlikely without roster help.
The proximity of the Nov. 4 trade deadline matters for both clubs. Dallas could look to bolster the defense given its ranking and injury questions, while Arizona might seek depth at defensive or offensive skill positions if management views Brissett’s early returns positively. Any movement will hinge on valuation, contract cost, and long-term planning for a franchise balancing development and immediate results.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Cowboys (2025) | Cardinals (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Record (entering MNF) | 3-4-1 | 2-5 |
| Notable offensive highs | 35+ points in four games | — |
| Defense rank (after Week 8) | No. 31 points & yards allowed | Below league average |
| Recent streak | Alternating results; inconsistent | Five-game losing streak |
The numbers illustrate a simple contrast: Dallas can produce points in bunches, but defensive deficiencies leave them vulnerable late in games. Arizona’s season has been defined by close losses, suggesting small margins—not systemic collapse—have decided many results. Both clubs face distinct roster and schematic choices as they enter the trade window and the second half of the season.
Reactions & Quotes
“The red stripe on the helmet provides a beautiful ribbon to wrap around this salute to those who currently serve our country’s military,”
Charlotte Jones, Cowboys EVP (2021 statement on ‘Salute to Service’ helmet stripe)
Context: The team wore a red stripe on the helmet for ‘Salute to Service’ night, a tradition the Cowboys have used to honor military personnel.
“Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise… we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing,”
Megan McElaney, Dallas Cowboys cheerleader (via Netflix/AP)
Context: McElaney discussed reported pay changes for Cowboys cheerleaders ahead of the 2025 season; the comment was widely circulated in coverage of squad compensation.
Unconfirmed
- Reports that a veteran Cowboys cheerleader makes roughly $150,000 annually were cited in media coverage; the team has not released a roster-wide, itemized payroll for the squad.
- Micah Parsons trade specifics referenced in some outlets have varying details; official confirmation from both teams and the league is required to validate all reported terms.
- Whether Dante Fowler Jr. returned later in the game was listed as questionable during play and calls for an official injury report postgame to confirm status and severity.
Bottom Line
Arizona’s 24-7 halftime advantage at AT&T Stadium highlighted how a methodical offense and opportunistic defense can seize control—even against one of the league’s best scoring units. For Dallas, the game amplified the core problem of 2025: elite offensive capability paired with a defense that cannot reliably close out opponents. That imbalance leaves the Cowboys vulnerable in tight divisional races and increases pressure on the front office to consider deadline moves.
Looking ahead, both teams face meaningful choices. The Cardinals must decide whether to lean into Brissett’s steadiness and seek incremental help, while the Cowboys need to determine if they will invest trade assets to shore up the defense or trust internal corrections. Fans should watch roster moves around Nov. 4 and early-week injury reports for signals about each club’s short- and long-term intentions.