- WHERE: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
- WHEN: 8:15 p.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, NFL+
The Week 9 slate concludes on Monday night featuring two clubs trying to find their footing at the midway point of the season, as the Arizona Cardinals travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.
After starting the season 2-0, the Cardinals have lost five straight games. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray missed Week 6 and 7 due to a foot injury. Backup veteran Jacoby Brissett filled in during Murray's absence and is expected to start again in Dallas.
Meanwhile, Dallas is coming off a Week 8 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos. The Cowboys offense with Dak Prescott has been one of the best in the league. However, Dallas' defense is allowing too many big plays in its defeats this season.
Can Arizona get a victory fresh off its bye, or will the Cowboys head into their off week riding high?
Three must-know storylines
1) The Cardinals need to keep up with Dallas
Although veteran Jacoby Brissett will serve as the starter, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon mentioned Kyler Murray (foot; questionable) could have a role in Monday's game. If Murray does play in some capacity, the Texas native has had success at AT&T Stadium, with a 9-0 record at the venue from his high school days through college and in the NFL. Nonetheless, the Cardinals must get rolling quickly with whomever is under center. In Brissett's previous two starts, he completed 65% of his passes, averaging 299.5 passing yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Arizona is averaging more points per game (25.0) and total yards per game (365.0) with Brissett as the starter. Tight end Trey McBride will play a key role in keeping that success going. He has taken his play to another level, building on his 2024 Pro Bowl season to currently lead the team with 47 receptions, 421 yards and four TDs. The 25-year-old McBride has collected five-plus receptions in all seven games this season for Arizona, joining Hall of Famer Mike Ditka and Zach Ertz as the only tight ends with five or more catches in each of their team's first seven games of a season, per NFL Research. Brissett could lean on McBride a little more with the veteran TE having his best season as a pro.
2) Can the Cowboys offense get back on track?
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys struggled to find any rhythm in last week's loss to Denver. Prescott tied a season-low 188 passing yards, with zero passing touchdowns and a 51.5 passer rating against a stingy Broncos defense. Luckily for the Cowboys, Prescott has a track record of bouncing back following a loss. Since Prescott entered the NFL in 2016, he has the fifth-best QB record (31-14-1) in games after a defeat, trailing only Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Tom Brady. He entered Week 9 leading the NFL with 204 completions and ranks third in passing yards (2,069) with 16 pass TDs. The Cowboys' passing attack led by CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson has helped produce one of the best offenses in the NFL. Part of Dallas' heightened threat level comes from Pickens showcasing he can be a WR1 role while Lamb missed three games with an ankle injury. The two being back together again spells trouble -- they're on pace to be the only teammate duo in the last five seasons to each average 80-plus receiving yards per game.
3) Cards RBs vs. Javonte Williams
The Cardinals have utilized a running back committee since James Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3 and Trey Benson went on injured reserve, choosing to divide work between Michael Carter, Emari Demercado and Bam Knight. The RB trio have struggled at times, but a favorable matchup against a Cowboys defense could lead to allow some big rushes to take place on Monday night. Jonathan Gannon told reporters over the weekend Knight will start as the RB1, but that the team will likely go with a hot hand approach. Knight has 29 carries for 102 yards (3.5 yards per carry) and two scores this season. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have Javonte Williams, who is having a career year in Dallas. Williams has scored nine total touchdowns and amassed 633 rushing yards on 123 carries (5.1 yards per carry). He's on pace for his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign and possibly a Pro Bowl appearance. Although the Cards don't have an RB playing close to Williams' level, they fortunately get to face the NFL's 29th-ranked defense against the run. Dallas has given up 146 rushing yards per game, while Arizona's D sits 12th with 100.9 rushing yards allowed per game.
Cardinals' Week 9 injury report
| Player | Game status | Thurs. practice | Fri. practice | Sat. practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitan Crawford, S (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | LP |
| Emari Demercado, RB (ankle) | --- | LP | LP | FP |
| Will Johnson, CB (groin) | QUESTIONABLE | --- | LP | LP |
| Zay Jones, WR (knee) | --- | LP | LP | FP |
| Kyler Murray, QB (foot) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | LP |
| Walter Nolen, DT (calf) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | LP |
| B.J. Ojulari, LB (knee) | --- | LP | LP | LP |
| Garrett Williams, CB (knee) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | LP |
Cowboys' Week 9 injury report
| Player | Game status | Thurs. practice | Fri. practice | Sat. practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Beebe, C (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE | FP | FP | FP |
| Alijah Clark, S (ribs) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Kenny Clark, DT (elbow) | --- | FP | FP | FP |
| Ajani Cornelius, OT (knees) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | LP |
| Marshawn Kneeland, DE (ankle) | --- | FP | FP | FP |
| DeMarvion Overshown, LB (knee) | OUT | LP | LP | LP |
| Shavon Revel, CB (knee) | OUT | LP | LP | LP |
| Jack Sanborn, LB (groin) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Tyler Smith, G (knee) | --- | LP | LP | FP |
| Reddy Steward, CB (thigh) | --- | FP | FP | FP |
| Juanyeh Thomas, S (migraine) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | FP |
| Donovan Wilson, S (elbow, shoulder) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Perrion Winfrey, DT (back) | OUT | LP | LP | LP |
