Jacoby Brissett stepped up for the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another to help secure a 27-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The victory ended the Cardinals’ five-game losing streak, a welcome relief for the team as they improve to 3-5 on the season.
With starting quarterback Kyler Murray still sidelined due to a foot injury, Brissett has taken on the role of filling in. Despite the expectations for Murray’s return after the team’s bye week, head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that Murray wasn’t quite ready to go, and Brissett made his third consecutive start. The veteran quarterback was solid once again, completing 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards with no interceptions.
The game was marked by a slow start from the Cowboys, who failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities. After a blocked punt was recovered by Dallas for a touchdown, Arizona responded with two long touchdown drives, taking a commanding 24-7 lead by halftime. Brissett connected with Marvin Harrison for the first touchdown of the game and found Trey McBride for another score. The Cardinals’ offense continued to move the ball effectively, while their defense, led by Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell, pressured Dak Prescott throughout the game.
Prescott, who struggled with accuracy, completed just 24 of 39 attempts for 250 yards. The Cowboys had several chances to get back into the game, especially in the second half, but failed to convert on key fourth-down opportunities, finishing 0-for-3 on those crucial plays. A late turnover sealed the Cowboys’ fate, as Javonte Williams fumbled with under five minutes left, giving Arizona the chance to maintain their lead.
Brissett, ever humble, refused to dwell on any potential quarterback controversy, instead focusing on helping his team win. “I’m just trying to go out here and win games and be a good teammate,” he said post-game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ offense, which had been one of the league’s best, continued to struggle in the face of Arizona’s defense.
For the Cardinals, the victory was a much-needed morale booster. Head coach Jonathan Gannon, reflecting on the difficult stretch, acknowledged the team’s struggles but expressed relief after securing the win. With the victory over Dallas, the Cardinals now turn their attention to the next phase of the season, while the Cowboys must regroup following their second straight loss.
