There is no quarterback controversy in Arizona. Not after Jacoby Brissett knocked out the Cowboys and Kyler Murray on a defining night in Texas.
There can be no turning back after this.
After a dominant 27-17 win over the Cowboys, only an idiot would give the reins of the Cardinals’ offense back to the incumbent. And judging by the organization’s performance in a must-win road game, this is not a ship of fools.
Brissett led the triumph just as he nearly engineered upsets of the Colts and Packers in his previous two starts. He is tough and resolute and has dramatically elevated the offense and the wide receiver room in ways that Kyler Murray cannot.
His signing has been a godsend for the organization, with it illuminating the leadership and toughness that has been so badly missing at the position. You can see this team responding and fighting for Brissett in ways that make you love football, in ways that make you feel hopeful all over again.
But there were victories all over AT&T Stadium.
The Cardinals’ defense finally lived up to the preseason hype, sacking Dak Prescott five times.
Josh Sweat was the best player on the field. Walter Nolen III was extremely promising in his NFL debut. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis cooked up a game plan that held one of the NFL’s best offenses to a meager 10 points, and together, they finally closed out an opponent in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Gannon regained a lot of trust and credibility in Arizona while deftly maneuvering his team through the bye week while everyone was focused on the awkward quarterback situation and bizarre press conferences. A good coaching staff always makes an impact during a bye week in the NFL, and in this realm, Gannon succeeded despite the noise.
The victory not only proved the Cardinals (3-5) need to move off Murray as soon as possible. It might’ve saved the season.
After all, the Cardinals arrived in Dallas cloaked in mystery, intrigue and intense speculation over the status of Murray, a quarterback who hasn’t played since a terrible loss to the Titans on Oct. 5. And in an ESPN article published before Monday’s game, Marvin Harrison Sr. threw kerosene on the bonfire that had begun to rage in the Valley.
“What I do know is you can put Marvin Harrison Sr., in my prime, in Arizona right now, and guess what happened?” he said. “Canton, Ohio (home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) is going to send me a prepaid envelope and say, ‘Could you please send that jacket back?’ So, I’m not speaking for anyone. I’m speaking for me.
“I’m just telling you that jacket, they’d be sending a prepaid envelope. ‘Thanks for all your help, but send that jacket back, please.'”
Translation: It’s impossible for a great wide receiver to flourish under the current regime in Arizona.
After a strong performance on Monday Night Football and an audience that averages 18 million weekly viewers, the Cardinals effectively rebutted Harrison Sr.’s complaints.
They targeted his son 10 times, in a game where Marvin Harrison Jr. shook a helpless defender and scored a touchdown like Allen Iverson on a crossover dribble. It was a glorious moment, and maybe the first of his career where he truly embarrassed a defender.
It might be a turning point in his young career.
The Cardinals hadn’t won a football game in 50 days. That’s an eternity in the NFL, and their five-game losing streak threatened to implode the season and maybe the entire regime.
That didn’t happen. To the contrary, the Cardinals are still alive and kicking. And with the right guy under center, maybe more dangerous than they’ve been in years.
Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.