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By Doug Haller and Jon Machota
Nov. 1, 2026 Updated 5:12 pm CST
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys’ defense seemed to get what it needed on Sunday: a matchup against the shorthanded and struggling Arizona Cardinals. Even that wasn’t enough to stave off the latest defensive disaster.
The Cardinals, behind backup quarterback Gardner Minshew II and backup running back Tyler Allgeier, exploded for touchdowns on four straight possessions in the second half, then mounted a game-winning drive on the third possession of overtime to knock off Dallas, 33-30. The Cardinals have now beaten Dallas in nine of their past 10 meetings.
In a season of defensive disappointments for 3-5 Dallas, none will sting worse than this one. The Cowboys twice led by 14 points and recovered an onside kick with just more than two minutes left, clinging to a 3-point lead. But they failed to run out the clock, and after a field goal gave Dallas a 30-24 lead, the Cardinals needed barely more than a minute to drive the length of the field for a game-tying touchdown. Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland’s missed extra point set up overtime.
The 14-point lead equaled the largest fourth-quarter edge the Cowboys have blown in a loss, the Elias Sports Bureau reported. And the Cowboys had won all 69 home games since 2000 when they led by at least 14 points in the fourth quarter, according to ESPN.
The Cowboys did not allow a first-half touchdown Sunday for the first time this season, and chased quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the game in favor of Minshew by the third quarter. But the Dallas defense couldn’t end the drama: Minshew and Allgeier sparked the Cardinals to two long touchdown drives, and then a Minshew touchdown pass to Trey McBride with just more than two minutes remaining made it a 3-point game.
Allgeier ran for 147 yards on just 11 carries, and Michael Wilson caught 8 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown for the 3-5 Cardinals.
What else can be said about the Cowboys defense?
While their defense played better at times and showed some glimpses of improvement in the first half, the second half was exactly what we’ve seen all season. The Cowboys can’t get enough critical stops against bad teams, let alone good ones. There’s still a long way to go and probably not enough talent for this unit to stop decent offenses. Jerry Jones doesn’t need to be concerned with making any other trades. This defense is much too far away from one player making enough of a difference. Keep all of your draft picks.
Jones said after the game that he didn’t see himself making a coaching change in the middle of the season. — Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer
What happened to the mighty Cowboys offense?
It just still isn’t playing up to expectations. It was good to see they were willing to stick to the run even when it wasn’t working — Javonte Williams had 24 carries for 56 yards — but that Arizona defense shouldn’t have shut them down like that late in the game. That’s the side of the ball that’s paid to win games like this.
And the Cowboys’ final two possessions were woeful. With a chance to run out the clock, Dallas was foiled by a sack, going backward over three plays and settling for a field goal. And then with the ball in overtime, needing just a score to win, Dallas went three-and-out, losing five yards before punting. Quarterback Dak Prescott said after the game that he doesn’t think he has had a more disappointing regular-season loss in his career.
The Cardinals have had the Cowboys’ number for the last 25 years, but that was easily the most embarrassing loss of the bunch. I’m not sure how Dallas recovers from that. — Machota
Will Gardner Minshew be the answer at quarterback for the Cardinals?
Since trading Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals’ biggest storyline has focused on rookie quarterback Carson Beck and when he might make his NFL debut. After Minshew’s performance Sunday, the Cardinals need to put that discussion on hold.
Down 17-3 in the third quarter, Minshew replaced Brissett, the starter. He said he told teammates to forget everything that happened, “let’s just keep going.” Along with Allgeier, the veteran quarterback sparked the Cardinals. He led them to four touchdowns in four possessions, tying the contest in the final seconds of regulation. Even Ryland’s missed extra point, which sent the game into overtime, did not sour the sideline mood.
With the Cardinals shorthanded, losing two running backs and two receivers to injury, coach Mike LaFleur said he told his team: “There’s no way we’re not coming out (of) here with a win.”
Minshew felt the same confidence.
“It’s not like that was the first adversity we had on the day,’’ he told reporters, referring to the missed extra point. “How quick can you reset? This was a game that was a total testament to that. Forget what happened before. Just keep going. Keep giving yourselves a chance.”
LaFleur did not elaborate much on his decision to bench Brissett beyond saying he felt the offense needed a spark. Nor did he place all the blame on Brissett, saying the offensive issues went beyond one person. Asked if Minshew would start next week at Seattle, LaFleur told reporters: “I’m just excited with this win right now.”
The big picture does not change. In need of a franchise quarterback, the Cardinals at some point will need to see what they have in Beck, a third-round pick in last April’s draft. But Minshew’s performance changes the conversation. Maybe that lasts for a week. Maybe it lasts for a month. But the Cardinals need to see how far he can take this.
“Proud of what we did today, man,’’ Minshew said. “Regardless of what happens, I love this team. I love Jacoby. I love going to work with him and I look forward to just keep doing that.” — Doug Haller, senior writer.
Jeremiyah Love’s rookie season laced with frustration
After his ninth carry of the game, Love lay on the field, his face masked in pain. After talking with Arizona medical staffers, the rookie running back walked to the sideline, where he slammed his helmet to the ground. That’s the perfect image to sum up Love’s rookie season through eight weeks. Frustration for all to see.
Over three years, the Cardinals used two Top 5 draft picks (Love this year, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024) on offensive skill players. It was reasonable to expect both would turn into pillars of a high-powered offense. Harrison is no longer with the team, traded last month to the Houston Texans. Love is off to a difficult start.
The electric Notre Dame product suffered a right ankle sprain during the preseason. Then he injured his left ankle in Week 2, an issue that hampered his ability to cut. Against Dallas, in his first action since Oct. 11, Love ran through the middle and had a Dallas defender land on his right ankle. Once considered the favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, the running back did not return.
The Cardinals know what Love can do. They like his ability to make defenders miss. They want to get him involved in the pass game. But through the season’s first half, they’ve only seen this in flashes — bad luck for a team that doesn’t need it. – Haller
Nov. 1, 2026 Updated 5:12 pm CST
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys’ defense seemed to get what it needed on Sunday: a matchup against the shorthanded and struggling Arizona Cardinals. Even that wasn’t enough to stave off the latest defensive disaster.
The Cardinals, behind backup quarterback Gardner Minshew II and backup running back Tyler Allgeier, exploded for touchdowns on four straight possessions in the second half, then mounted a game-winning drive on the third possession of overtime to knock off Dallas, 33-30. The Cardinals have now beaten Dallas in nine of their past 10 meetings.
In a season of defensive disappointments for 3-5 Dallas, none will sting worse than this one. The Cowboys twice led by 14 points and recovered an onside kick with just more than two minutes left, clinging to a 3-point lead. But they failed to run out the clock, and after a field goal gave Dallas a 30-24 lead, the Cardinals needed barely more than a minute to drive the length of the field for a game-tying touchdown. Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland’s missed extra point set up overtime.
The 14-point lead equaled the largest fourth-quarter edge the Cowboys have blown in a loss, the Elias Sports Bureau reported. And the Cowboys had won all 69 home games since 2000 when they led by at least 14 points in the fourth quarter, according to ESPN.
The Cowboys did not allow a first-half touchdown Sunday for the first time this season, and chased quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the game in favor of Minshew by the third quarter. But the Dallas defense couldn’t end the drama: Minshew and Allgeier sparked the Cardinals to two long touchdown drives, and then a Minshew touchdown pass to Trey McBride with just more than two minutes remaining made it a 3-point game.
Allgeier ran for 147 yards on just 11 carries, and Michael Wilson caught 8 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown for the 3-5 Cardinals.
What else can be said about the Cowboys defense?
While their defense played better at times and showed some glimpses of improvement in the first half, the second half was exactly what we’ve seen all season. The Cowboys can’t get enough critical stops against bad teams, let alone good ones. There’s still a long way to go and probably not enough talent for this unit to stop decent offenses. Jerry Jones doesn’t need to be concerned with making any other trades. This defense is much too far away from one player making enough of a difference. Keep all of your draft picks.
Jones said after the game that he didn’t see himself making a coaching change in the middle of the season. — Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer
What happened to the mighty Cowboys offense?
It just still isn’t playing up to expectations. It was good to see they were willing to stick to the run even when it wasn’t working — Javonte Williams had 24 carries for 56 yards — but that Arizona defense shouldn’t have shut them down like that late in the game. That’s the side of the ball that’s paid to win games like this.
And the Cowboys’ final two possessions were woeful. With a chance to run out the clock, Dallas was foiled by a sack, going backward over three plays and settling for a field goal. And then with the ball in overtime, needing just a score to win, Dallas went three-and-out, losing five yards before punting. Quarterback Dak Prescott said after the game that he doesn’t think he has had a more disappointing regular-season loss in his career.
The Cardinals have had the Cowboys’ number for the last 25 years, but that was easily the most embarrassing loss of the bunch. I’m not sure how Dallas recovers from that. — Machota
Will Gardner Minshew be the answer at quarterback for the Cardinals?
Since trading Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals’ biggest storyline has focused on rookie quarterback Carson Beck and when he might make his NFL debut. After Minshew’s performance Sunday, the Cardinals need to put that discussion on hold.
Down 17-3 in the third quarter, Minshew replaced Brissett, the starter. He said he told teammates to forget everything that happened, “let’s just keep going.” Along with Allgeier, the veteran quarterback sparked the Cardinals. He led them to four touchdowns in four possessions, tying the contest in the final seconds of regulation. Even Ryland’s missed extra point, which sent the game into overtime, did not sour the sideline mood.
With the Cardinals shorthanded, losing two running backs and two receivers to injury, coach Mike LaFleur said he told his team: “There’s no way we’re not coming out (of) here with a win.”
Minshew felt the same confidence.
“It’s not like that was the first adversity we had on the day,’’ he told reporters, referring to the missed extra point. “How quick can you reset? This was a game that was a total testament to that. Forget what happened before. Just keep going. Keep giving yourselves a chance.”
LaFleur did not elaborate much on his decision to bench Brissett beyond saying he felt the offense needed a spark. Nor did he place all the blame on Brissett, saying the offensive issues went beyond one person. Asked if Minshew would start next week at Seattle, LaFleur told reporters: “I’m just excited with this win right now.”
The big picture does not change. In need of a franchise quarterback, the Cardinals at some point will need to see what they have in Beck, a third-round pick in last April’s draft. But Minshew’s performance changes the conversation. Maybe that lasts for a week. Maybe it lasts for a month. But the Cardinals need to see how far he can take this.
“Proud of what we did today, man,’’ Minshew said. “Regardless of what happens, I love this team. I love Jacoby. I love going to work with him and I look forward to just keep doing that.” — Doug Haller, senior writer.
Jeremiyah Love’s rookie season laced with frustration
After his ninth carry of the game, Love lay on the field, his face masked in pain. After talking with Arizona medical staffers, the rookie running back walked to the sideline, where he slammed his helmet to the ground. That’s the perfect image to sum up Love’s rookie season through eight weeks. Frustration for all to see.
Over three years, the Cardinals used two Top 5 draft picks (Love this year, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024) on offensive skill players. It was reasonable to expect both would turn into pillars of a high-powered offense. Harrison is no longer with the team, traded last month to the Houston Texans. Love is off to a difficult start.
The electric Notre Dame product suffered a right ankle sprain during the preseason. Then he injured his left ankle in Week 2, an issue that hampered his ability to cut. Against Dallas, in his first action since Oct. 11, Love ran through the middle and had a Dallas defender land on his right ankle. Once considered the favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, the running back did not return.
The Cardinals know what Love can do. They like his ability to make defenders miss. They want to get him involved in the pass game. But through the season’s first half, they’ve only seen this in flashes — bad luck for a team that doesn’t need it. – Haller