Dallas Cowboys Flamed by Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football

The Dallas Cowboys were returning home on Monday Night Football, with hopes of a victory in front of a national audience against the struggling 2-5 Arizona Cardinals. Despite any optimism and continuous promises to “fix” the defense, the team turned in a poor performance on both sides of the ball in a 27-17 defeat. With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 3-5-1. Monday’s result also marked the first time this season that the Cowboys have lost consecutive games. 

The Cowboy could not get going, registering nothing in the opening quarter. Cardinal quarterback Jacoby Brissett sliced and diced the secondary (21/31, 261, two touchdowns) while receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. totaled a season-high in targets in the opening half and finished the game with seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. On the touchdown, his break shook cornerback DaRon Bland, sending the corner to the turf. 

Emari Demercado ran for 79 yards on 14 carries, while tight end Trey McBride caught five balls for 55 yards and a touchdown. 

Turnovers for the Cowboys came in the form of fumbles from tight end Jake Ferguson (in Cardinal territory) and running back Javonte Williams. The running back ran well - 15 carries for 83 yards - but did not reach the end zone. CeeDee Lamb tallied 85 yards on seven catches, while George Pickens caught six passes for 79 yards. For the second consecutive week though, both wideouts were held without touchdowns. 

Defensively, the Cowboys once again looked bamboozled and bewildered, allowing Brissett to carve them up and Harrison Jr. and Michael Watson (three catches, 61 yards) to run down the field unattended. McBride‘s athleticism was an issue as well. On the positive side, defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Donovan Ezeiruaku played well, Clowney by far producing his best game so far as a Cowboy. Each registered sacks, as did Kenny Clark, Dante Fowler, and Reddy Steward. 

The loss was a major letdown, considering the disappointment that was Week 8’s 44-24 decimation in Denver. This marks two consecutive weeks now where the offense has not looked its best (231 passing yards against the Broncos). Thankfully, the Cowboys head into their bye week where they can hopefully regroup. Next up is Monday, Nov. 17 in Las Vegas as the team takes on the Raiders.