The Cardinals’ five-game losing skid was ended on Monday Night Football, as quarterback Jacoby Brissett was in command all night and the defense made winning plays for a 27-17 victory over the Cowboys in Dallas.
Brissett made his third start for Arizona his first win with the franchise, tossing for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns while adding a one-yard rushing score.
Second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a career-high seven catches in a game for 96 yards and a touchdown and fellow wideout Michael Wilson had a season high 61 receiving yards.
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell sealed the final result for the Cardinals by sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott twice, forcing a final heave by the QB that was intercepted by rookie cornerback Denzel Burke.
The individual standouts didn’t stop there, as rookie Walter Nolen III, in his NFL debut, had a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass defensed and running back Emari Demercado had himself a bit of a redemption game following a viral blunder with 14 carries for 79 yards.
Arizona Sports hosts react to the how the Cardinals (3-5) righted their ship against the Cowboys (3-5-1).
Rapid reaction: Cardinals beat Cowboys on road in primetime
Vince Marotta, co-host of Bickley & Marotta:
An Arizona Cardinals game decided by double-digits? Even better, a Cardinals’ win by double-digits?
The Cardinals put forth an inspired effort in Arlington and leave Texas with a 27-17 win over the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. This victory snaps possibly what was the most frustrating five-game losing streak in franchise history. Five losses by a combined 13 points is just downright painful.
The Cardinals’ defense won this football game. They held the potent Dallas offense to one offensive touchdown. Not bad against a team that had already hit the 40-mark on the scoreboard three times at home this season. Arizona forced a season-high three turnovers and got good pressure on Dak Prescott all night long.
Walter Nolen III made his long-awaited debut after a calf injury and didn’t disappoint. Nolen had four tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. He wasn’t the only rookie to make a contribution tonight, though. Cody Simon had a huge strip of Javonte Williams when it felt like the momentum had shifted to the Dallas sideline. Will Johnson had a pass breakup and a forced fumble. Denzel Burke had two pass breakups and the game-sealing interception.
Offensively, Jacoby Brissett continues to have a command of Drew Petzing’s offense. Brissett played turnover-free football and threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He spread the ball around and got Marvin Harrison Jr. (who had a great game) involved early and often. He continually stands tall in the pocket against pressure and delivers the ball with authority downfield.
Jonathan Gannon should feel very comfortable letting Kyler Murray’s foot injury heal at its own pace. Ride the hot hand, and right now, that’s Brissett.
At 2-5 coming out of the bye and losing in the fashion they had, the Cardinals just needed to taste victory again and they got just that on Monday night.
Is the season salvageable? That remains to be seen, but it would have been over had they lost this game.
There’s a bit of wind in the sails again.
Tyler Drake, ArizonaSports.com Cardinals reporter and co-host of Cardinals Corner
The Cardinals finally put together a full four quarters and actually closed out a football game!
Once again, Jacoby Brissett proved he’s the guy to lead this offense until further notice. Anything different would be negligent given the offensive production with the veteran at the helm. Nothing against Kyler Murray, but there’s a clear difference in production with Brissett running the show.
And how about getting Marvin Harrison Jr. involved early and often? Maybe Marvin Harrison Sr. needs to get on the phone more and voice his frustrations about the offense to reporters.
But honestly, the defense deserves a ton of flowers for this. Shutting down the Cowboys offense to just one touchdown is an impressive feat. Closing out the fourth quarter with a couple of sacks and a turnover was the chef’s kiss to a dominant showing for Nick Rallis’ crew.
Shoutout to Walter Nolen III, too. The rookie made the most of his primetime snaps amidst his NFL debut and gave plenty of Cardinals fans amnesia from his seven-game absence in the process. It’s only one game, but a strong one to build off of.
These are the type of wins teams can truly build off of — even if the climb back into the playoff picture remains steep.
Dave Burns, co-host of Burns & Gambo
The first reaction is just pure undiluted gratitude the Cardinals won. I don’t know if I could have taken another loss, and frankly, I don’t know if they could have either.
It was refreshing to see them close out a game with forced fumbles, sacks, big runs and plays that finish football games rather than plays that leave windows open for losses. I think about Denzel Burke’s big pass breakup, Cody Simon forcing the fumble after the Will Johnson tackle. The ageless Calais Campbell. The immediate contributions of Walter Nolen.
It sets up tomorrow to be an interesting day for the Cards.
Jonathan Gannon insisted, yet again, that when healthy, Kyler Murray is the quarterback.
Does that change tomorrow after he’s had a moment to huddle up with his fellow decision-makers? Does the trade deadline tomorrow play any role in this? Or is that really what’s going to happen?
At this point it feels near-universal that they need to ride with Jacoby, but if there is anything last week taught us, you can expect the unexpected.