By Jon Machota, Doug Haller and Amos Morale III

The Arizona Cardinals snapped a five-game losing streak with a 27-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night at AT&T Stadium.

The Cardinals benefited from another sharp outing from quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who’s starting in place of an injured Kyler Murray. Brissett finished 21-of-31 for 261 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a score.

Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. tallied a career-high seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Brissett stays hot

A quarterback controversy has brewed locally since Brissett replaced Murray in Arizona’s lineup. The heat is about to increase several levels.

Filling in for an injured Murray, Brissett again showed poise and command of the offense. The biggest difference? After losing close games to the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, this time he won.

Out for the third game in a row with a foot injury, Murray is the franchise quarterback. He is in the second year of a massive five-year contract extension he signed in 2022.

Since Murray injured his foot Oct. 5, head coach Jonathan Gannon has said Murray would return to his job once he is completely healthy.

The problem: The 32-year-old Brissett has outplayed him, unlocking the vertical passing game and generating explosive plays. In five games under Murray, the Cardinals averaged 20.6 points and 288.4 yards per game. In three under Brissett, they have averaged 25.7 points and 356.7 yards. If this is about doing what’s best to win games this season — and keeping the locker room happy — Gannon’s decision seems obvious.

But there’s more to consider. Benching Murray, the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, would likely signal an end to the quarterback’s seven-year run in Arizona. It would also hurt Murray’s trade value. A change might be best for everyone involved, but a solution won’t be easy to find. — Doug Haller, Cardinals beat writer

Strong first impression

Leading up to his first NFL game, Walter Nolen III was asked what he’s learned about pro football since the Cardinals selected him with the 16th pick of the 2025 draft. Nolen’s answer: “Every game in the league, you never know what’s going to happen.”

The rookie defensive tackle proved as much against Dallas. After missing the season’s first seven games because of a calf injury suffered before training camp, Nolen made a strong first impression. The Ole Miss product produced two tackles for loss, including a sack, to help Arizona post its first win since Sept. 14.

This is a boost the Cardinals needed. The pass rush, expected to be much improved this season, has not developed as expected. Nolen could provide a major boost the rest of the way. — Haller

What’s next for Dallas

The feelings after this game are similar to those after the road loss to the Carolina Panthers. Though the Panthers have proved to be better than we thought at the time, it was the type of loss that said: If you can’t beat them, how are you going to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers or Minnesota Vikings? The Cowboys would have to win several of those games to have a realistic shot at the playoffs. And just like playoff talk should’ve stopped after the loss in Carolina, it should certainly stop now.

Jerry Jones has been teasing a trade all day. Forget the trades, Jerry. There isn’t enough one franchise could do on NFL trade deadline day to fix all of Dallas’ issues. The biggest problems are on defense, but it’s starting to look like the Cowboys’ top offense is also regressing. And to think, just about half the season remains. — Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer