Jacoby Brissett stepped in as quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals and helped end a frustrating five-game losing streak. On Monday night, the Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-17. Brissett threw two touchdown passes and even ran for one himself, marking his third consecutive start with Kyler Murray still sidelined due to a foot injury.
Brissett’s performance has led to questions about whether he could be the long-term starter for Arizona. Coach Jonathan Gannon didn’t give clear answers, saying Murray wasn’t fully ready yet. The Cardinals now sit at 3-5 for the season, bouncing back after a tough stretch where they struggled without Murray.
The game opened with the Cowboys’ Sam Williams blocking a punt, which Marshawn Kneeland recovered for a touchdown. Despite this early momentum, the Cowboys were unable to capitalize and fell behind quickly. Arizona responded with two long touchdown drives, leaving Dallas trailing 24-7 at halftime.
Brissett completed 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards, showing reliability in his performance. Over the last three games, he has thrown six touchdowns and only one interception. This success came after a shaky start for the Cardinals this year, where they lost five close games by a combined total of just 13 points.
As for the Cowboys, they struggled despite reaching the Arizona 7-yard line on their first drive and failing to score. Dak Prescott faced constant pressure, getting sacked five times. The team’s aggressive game plan couldn’t execute as planned, leaving them underwhelmed on crucial plays.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged the team needed to improve in every area. They failed to convert on multiple fourth-down attempts and couldn’t find their rhythm against Arizona’s defense. Prescott was left frustrated, stating they needed to rethink their approach to improve.
The atmosphere around the Cardinals is shifting. Brissett’s focus stays on winning games and being a good teammate, not on whether he can replace Murray. “I’m just trying to do my best when I get the chance,” he said.
Historically, Arizona has seen a mix of ups and downs with their quarterbacks. Murray’s tenure has included wins in tough environments, but Brissett is now carving out his own path. His experience and leadership could provide the stability Arizona needs as they navigate the season.
The recent victory not only snapped a losing streak but gives the Cardinals a boost of confidence as they look to build momentum. As the season progresses, the dynamics around the team will be interesting to watch, especially if Brissett continues to shine.
For more on this evolving story, see The Guardian.
