The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals meet in the Week 9 ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup, and both teams are looking for a last-ditch attempt at elbowing their way into the NFL playoff picture.
The Cardinals enter AT&T Stadium riding a five-game losing streak, and the team’s playoff aspirations are slipping away in a loaded NFC West. Even with the losses, Arizona has been able to keep pace with opponents: Every Cardinals matchup this year has been decided by one score.
Expecting that trend to continue will be a difficult ask for an explosive Cowboys offense. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has Dak Prescott and the Dallas offensive attack humming, with Prescott as a legitimate MVP candidate through eight weeks of the 2025 season.
Putting points up on the board hasn’t been an issue for Dallas, but stopping the other team from doing so, has been. Entering Week 8, Dallas’ defense is ranked No. 31 in the NFL in points allowed and yards allowed, giving Cardinals backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett an opportunity to put some points on the board.
It’s the last matchup before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. The Cowboys and the Cardinals are set to meet in JerryWorld on Monday night, and USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the matchup below.
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End of first quarter: Cardinals driving with 3-0 lead
A quick opening 15 minutes comes to a close in Dallas with the visitors up by three. The Cardinals will look to add to that after the commercial break – already in field goal range. Jacoby Brissett found Marvin Harrison Jr. for a big conversion on third-and-14. Third downs have been the difference, as Arizona has converted 4 of 5.
Cowboys punt on their second drive
Dallas’ second drive didn’t end much better than its first. Three drops and four penalties tell the story thus far for Brian Schottenheimer’s team, which had a first down erased by a holding penalty. While the punt isn’t ideal, Dallas will live with that after seeing Arizona’s Mack Wilson drop a gifted interception. Prescott’s arm was hit on third down and the ball floated in the air before Wilson dropped it.
Perhaps more importantly, the Cowboys put together a drive that lasted under two minutes after the Cardinals totaled seven minutes on their first series. For a Dallas defense that is already struggling, that can become a big concern as we move through the evening.
Cowboys vs Cardinals score: Chad Ryland starts the scoring
The Cowboys offense is explosive, but the Cardinals offense is methodical. Arizona took advantage of its defensive stand, marching down the field in what has been a fast-paced opening quarter. The drive stalled, however, and Ryland knocked through the 48-yard field goal for the lead.
Some appeared surprised by the referee’s ruling, but the ball seemingly went over the post before drifting wide afterwards.
Cardinals 3, Cowboys 0
Dante Fowler Jr. injury update
Fowler is questionable to return with a shoulder injury. The pass-rusher quietly exited in the first quarter. Dallas’ defense is already having enough trouble slowing down opponents this season. It won’t help if Fowler can’t get back into the action.
What is the red stripe on the Cowboys helmet?
It’s “Salute to Service” night in Dallas and the Cowboys are commemorating the occasion with a red stripe on their helmet. It replaces the standard blue stripe commonly seen on the famed helmets.
“The red stripe on the helmet provides a beautiful ribbon to wrap around this salute to those who currently serve our country’s military – and the patriotic love and appreciation that we all share for those who came before them,” Cowboys EVP Charlotte Jones said in 2021.
Cowboys turnover on downs on opening drive
Dallas came out red hot to open this Monday night contest, making it look like the Cardinals defense was still in the locker room. After getting it down inside the 10, Arizona’s defense locked in a got the stop. Now the Cardinals offense goes to work with an early shift in momentum.
What is Dak Prescott’s jersey patch?
Prescott is wearing a jersey patch honoring his 2022 selection as the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.
The jersey patches were created by the NFL in 2017 to raise awareness of the award, which the league considers its most prestigious. The jersey patches are to be worn by any active player who has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
What channel is Cowboys vs Cardinals on Monday Night Football tonight?
TV channel: ESPN | ESPN2
The main Cowboys-Cardinals broadcast will air on ESPN, featuring Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on commentary with Lisa Salters providing sideline reports.
ESPN2 will air the ‘Manningcast,’ the alternate broadcast featuring Peyton and Eli Manning.
What time is Monday Night Football tonight?
Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CT | 6:15 p.m. MT
The Cowboys-Cardinals ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup will air at 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time for ‘MNF.’
Cowboys-Cardinals live stream
Live stream:Fubo | ESPN Unlimited | ESPN Select
Cord-cutters looking to stream the Week 9 ‘MNF’ game have a few options. Viewers can tune to ESPN’s streaming services, Select and Unlimited, for the matchup.
Viewers can also sign up for Fubo. Fubo carries the ESPN family of networks, as well as CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC and the NFL Network, meaning you’ll be able to catch NFL action all season long. Fubo also offers a free trial.
Watch 2025 NFL action with Fubo (free trial)
Cowboys vs Cardinals prediction
Dallas’ offense has been among the best in the NFL all season long. They’ve put up 35 or more in four games – three wins, one tie – and have put up less than 30 in all four of their losses this season. Still, their offense should overwhelm a Cardinals defense that has been subpar this year, and while backup Jacoby Brissett is a solid spot starter, he’s not going to be able to unlock the offense that Kyler Murray and Co. haven’t been able to this season. Cowboys win by two scores.
Prediction: Cowboys 30, Cardinals 17
How much do the Cowboys cheerleaders get paid?
Salaries for the Cowboys cheerleaders are not disclosed, but reports indicate that a veteran on the team makes around $150,000 a year after the group received a 400% increase in pay prior to the 2025 NFL season. However, they do not receive health insurance from the team.
The news of the increase was revealed by member Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran from Oceanside, California, on the Netflix series ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.’
‘Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,’ McElaney said, via the Associated Press. ‘And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing.’
CeeDee Lamb warms up for ‘Monday Night Football’
Cowboys inactives vs. Cardinals
S Donovan Wilson
S Alijah Clark
OT Ajani Cornelius
RB Jaydon Blue
DT Mazi Smith
OL Hakeem Adeniji
WR Jonathan Mingo
Cardinals inactives vs. Cowboys
NFC East standings
The Cowboys enter ‘Monday Night Football’ in second place in the NFC East. Here’s how the division stacks up:
Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1)
Washington Commanders (3-6)
New York Giants (2-7)
NFC West standings
The Cardinals enter ‘Monday Night Football’ in last place in the NFC West. Here’s how the division stacks up:
Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
Arizona Cardinals (2-5)
How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV
Fubo
Fubo, which offers a free trial for new members, carries all Disney-owned sports networks – including ESPN and ABC – as well as other channels that carry NFL games: NFL Network, CBS and Fox.
Catch NFL action all season long with Fubo
Sling TV
Watch ‘Monday Night Football’ with Sling TV
ESPN Unlimited
NFL fans can tune in to Week 9’s ‘Monday Night Football’ game with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.
Watch all ESPN content with ESPN Unlimited
What is the Dallas Cowboys’ record?
The Cowboys enter their matchup with the Cardinals at 3-4-1. They suffered losses in Weeks 1 and 3 to the Eagles and the Bears, respectively, and their first win came in OT against the Giants in Week 2. Dallas tied the Packers in a historic 40-40 shootout in Week 4 and has alternated wins and losses in the four weeks since leading into tonight’s game.
Who is the Cardinals QB?
The Cardinals are rolling with veteran Jacoby Brissett as the starter against the Cowboys in Dallas. Arizona’s No. 1 quarterback, Kyler Murray, sustained a foot sprain in Arizona’s Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans and missed two games before the Cardinals’ Week 8 bye. He will miss his third game and Brissett will be under center. Brissett was a third round pick by the Patriots in the 2016 draft. He has played for New England, the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders before signing with Arizona in 2025.
When do the Cowboys play next?
Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CT
Date: Monday, Nov. 3 (Week 9)
The Cowboys and Cardinals matchup gets underway at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Cardinals travel to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the tilt.
Is Kyler Murray playing tonight vs. Cowboys?
Murray will not suit up for the Cardinals on ‘Monday Night Football.’ The starting quarterback has missed the last two games with a foot injury he suffered in Week 5 against the Titans and is among Arizona’s inactives tonight. This will be his third missed game and fourth week in total, because the Cardinals had a bye in Week 8.
Cardinals QB depth chart
Jacoby Brissett
Kyler Murray (questionable – foot)
Kedon Slovis
Brissett will start Nov. 3’s game against the Cowboys in Dallas. He’s lost both of his two starts this season – both by exactly four points – but had 599 passing yards combined in those last two games.
NFL MVP odds: Josh Allen is favorite
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+160)
QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+350)
QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots (+450)
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (+500)
QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1600)
QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+2200)
QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+2500)
QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+2500)
QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (+2500)
QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+3000)
QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (+3000)
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (+3000)
QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (+4000)
QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (+6600)
When is the 2025 NFL trade deadline?
Date: November 4
Time: 4 p.m. ET
For the second straight year, the NFL trade deadline will take place after Week 9 of the NFL season.
Is there a ManningCast for Cowboys vs. Cardinals game?
Yes, there will be a ManningCast in Week 9. The Manning brothers will be on the alt-cast for the ‘Monday Night Football’ game between the Cowboys and Cardinals, marking the second of six consecutive weeks with a ManningCast.
Where to watch ManningCast tonight
TV channel: ESPN2
Live stream: ESPN Unlimited/ESPN Select | Fubo
Micah Parsons trade details
Below are the full terms of the Micah Parsons trade:
Packers get:
EDGE Micah Parsons
Cowboys get
2027 first-round pick
DL Kenny Clark
2026 first-round pick
Cowboys WR depth chart
Here’s who the Cowboys will trot out at receiver:
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
Jalen Tolbert
KaVontae Turpin
Ryan Flournoy
Cowboys vs Cardinals injury report
Cowboys vs Cardinals live betting odds, moneyline, O/U
2026 NFL Draft order
Here’s how the 2026 NFL Draft order stacks up after Week 9’s Sunday slate of games, according to Tankathon.com:
New Orleans Saints: 1-8; .504 strength of schedule
Tennessee Titans: 1-8 record; .556 SOS
New York Jets: 1-7; .510 SOS
Miami Dolphins: 2-7; .504 SOS
New York Giants: 2-7; .553 SOS
Cleveland Browns: 2-6; .468 SOS
Las Vegas Raiders 2-6; .551 SOS
Arizona Cardinals: 2-5; .546 SOS
Cincinnati Bengals: 3-6; .504 SOS
Washington Commanders: 3-6; .333 SOS
Baltimore Ravens: 3-5; .493 SOS
Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 3-5; .514 SOS
Houston Texans: 3-5; .563 SOS
Dallas Cowboys: 3-4-1; .493 SOS
Minnesota Vikings: 4-4; .525 SOS
Carolina Panthers: 5-4; .496 SOS
Kansas City Chiefs: 5-4; .521 SOS
Chicago Bears: 5-3; .468 SOS
Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 5-3; .486 SOS
Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-3; .493 SOS
Detroit Lions: 5-3; .529 SOS
Los Angeles Chargers: 6-3; .483 SOS
San Francisco 49ers: 6-3; .482 SOS
Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 5-2-1; .500 SOS
Buffalo Bills: 6-2; .431 SOS
Seattle Seahawks: 6-2; .504 SOS
Los Angeles Rams: 6-2; .521 SOS
Denver Broncos: 7-2; .458 SOS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-2; .475 SOS
New England Patriots: 7-2; .357 SOS
Philadelphia Eagles: 6-2; .528 SOS
Indianapolis Colts: 7-2; .475 SOS
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