Cowboys blow chance to stay in playoff hunt as Cardinals snap skid

The Arizona Cardinals snapped a five-game losing streak in the final game of Week 9, defeating the Dallas Cowboys, 27-17, on “Monday Night Football.”

Here are our initial reactions:

Key takeaway: Regardless of what happens at trade deadline, Cowboys waited too long to make a move

A lot of talk in Dallas in recent weeks has centered around trade deadline acquisitions, but after Monday’s loss, the Cowboys would be better off as sellers. With remaining games against the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2), Kansas City Chiefs (5-4), Detroit Lions (5-3) and Los Angeles Chargers (6-3), the Cowboys (3-5-1) don’t have a realistic path to the playoffs. Any trade, which would likely include 2026 draft capital, could make it harder for Dallas to compete next season. The Cowboys would have been better off aggressively pursuing trades earlier in the season when it was obvious the defense was among the league’s worst. But by stalling, Dallas waited too long for any potential move ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline to make a difference.

Game MVP: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Cardinals (3-5) included a heavy dose of Harrison Jr. in their early script, and the decision worked wonders as the second-year pro had one of the best games of his young career.

Harrison finished with seven receptions, his most in a game since November 11, 2023, his final season at Ohio State, for 96 yards and a touchdown on an incredible move against Cowboys corner DaRon Bland that left the 2023 first-team All-Pro on the turf.