Cardinals Bench Brissett for Minshew in Wild Comeback vs Cowboys

On November 1, 2026, in Arlington, Texas, the Arizona Cardinals pulled off a thrilling comeback victory against the Dallas Cowboys in a wild Week 8 game. The Cardinals had not beaten the Cowboys since Week 3 of 2017 and improved their record to 3-5 with this impressive win.

Trailing by 14 points at the start of the fourth quarter, the Cardinals found themselves in a dire situation. ESPN Insights revealed that Arizona had only managed to win 1 out of 147 games in the past two decades when trailing by 14 or more in the final quarter. The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, had never lost a home game when leading by that margin in that period, boasting a 69-0 record.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including injuries and poor performances from their starters, the Cardinals turned to their backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew. Minshew's introduction to the game marked a significant shift in momentum. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) celebrated as he walked off the field after the Cardinals' victory over the Dallas Cowboys in overtime.

Minshew's debut was met with an immediate swing in momentum. RB Tyler Allgeier, substituting for both injured players, sprinted for a 63-yard touchdown on Minshew's second play. This set the tone for the rest of the game. With Minshew under center, Arizona's offense displayed a newfound energy and precision. They scored 467 total yards and three touchdowns, while also improving their run game and pass game.

The Cardinals' victory was sealed with a clutch drive that concluded with a strike to Wilson in the end zone with six seconds left. An extra point from the Cowboys' kicker, Chad Ryland, missed, giving the Cardinals a narrow 30-27 win in overtime.

While Minshew's long-term future as the Cardinals' starter remains uncertain, his performance in this game highlighted his improved accuracy and mobility. The team's offensive struggles and Brissett's repeated performance issues paved the way for this change. However, it's clear that Minshew was the right choice for the team on Sunday. This change is expected to lead to a more promising future for the struggling Arizona franchise.