3 Reasons Why the Dallas Cowboys Lost Their Grip on the Game Against the Cardinals

The Dallas Cowboys fell to the Arizona Cardinals 27-17 in Week 9, and this loss goes deeper than the final score. The Cardinals’ quarterback Jacoby Brissett executed flawlessly, the Cowboys’ mistakes piled up, and the coaching staff failed to adjust when it counted most.

1) Brissett Exploited the Cowboys’ Defense With Surgical Precision

Brissett completed 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus a rushing TD. Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. hauled in 7 catches for 96 yards and a TD, and Trey McBride added a big play with a touchdown from a long drive. The Cardinals opened the middle of the field repeatedly, used play-action and under-the-radar check-downs to keep space between linebackers and safeties. The Cowboys simply could not stop it.

2) Turnovers and Questionable 4th-Down Calls Blew the Momentum

Dallas gambled on a 4th-and-3 inside the red zone early in the fourth quarter— and failed. A fumble by Jake Ferguson in the third quarter stalled a much-needed drive. Late in the game, QB Dak Prescott threw a costly interception. The Cowboys offense managed just 10 points from actual possessions—one came off a blocked punt return. The mistakes piled up and killed any chance of a turnaround.

3) Coaching Adjustments Went Missing When They Mattered Most

Despite multiple sacks and pressure, Dallas failed to tighten up the middle and adjust coverages for the back-end. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer admitted post-game the third-down defense simply didn’t perform. Analysts questioned the in-game adaptability of Dallas’s coaching staff. The tone inside the locker room? Frustration, silence, and a sense that the system is starting to crack.

Quick Box

• Score: Cardinals 27, Cowboys 17.

Final Verdict

The Cardinals won because they came in prepared, sharp, and adaptable. The Cowboys lost because they faltered execution-wise, made key errors, and lacked the in-game adjustments needed to stay competitive. Unless Dallas addresses its red-zone offense and third-down defense fast, this 2025 campaign could head south quickly.