✅ Key factors
Quarterback situation for Arizona
The Cardinals are planning to start Jacoby Brissett at QB, while Kyler Murray (foot) remains questionable and is unlikely to start. RotoWire+4NFL.com+4NFL.com+4
Brissett has been solid in his recent starts (averaging about 25.0 points and 365 yards) with the Cardinals. NFL.com+1
But the offense still faces adjustment and continuity challenges.Dallas’s strengths and weaknesses
Offensively, the Cowboys are strong. Their passing attack ranks among the league’s best. NFL.com+2The Playoffs+2
Defensively, however, they’re vulnerable. The Cardinals face a Dallas defense that has given up big plays, especially in the passing game. RotoWire+2The Playoffs+2
The Cowboys are at home (which is always a plus) and will want to rebound after a rough outing. The Playoffs+1
Motivation / context
The Cardinals are coming off a bye week and are desperate: they’ve lost five straight and their season is at a critical juncture. NFL.com+1
The Cowboys need to show up and stabilize — a loss here would be bad given their aspirations.
These factors can lead to a tighter, emotionally charged game.
Matchup & prediction trends
Many analysts pick Dallas to win but anticipate a high-scoring game. For example, one site projects a 30-27 Cowboys win. The Playoffs+1
Others see value in Arizona covering the spread (Cardinals +3) given Dallas’s defense issues. Sportsgambler+1
Over/Under trends suggest total points likely to be over ~52.5 points. RotoWire+1
🎯 My Prediction
Winner: Cowboys
Score Estimate: Cowboys 31, Cardinals 24
Reasoning: Dallas’s offensive firepower plus home advantage gives them the edge. Arizona may keep it competitive (especially early on) but their QB uncertainty and less consistency lean toward Dallas.
Key Game Props to Watch:
Big passing yards from Dallas (they’ll feed that strength)
Arizona covering the spread — if they keep it within a touchdown, it’s a good value play
Total points likely over 52.5, given both teams’ offensive upside and defensive concerns
Perplexity AI Prediction:
The prediction for the upcoming NFL Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals is expected to be a close, high-scoring contest, with most experts giving a slight edge to the Cowboys. Dallas is favored by about 3 points, and the projected scorelines from several sources put the Cowboys ahead by just a few points, such as 25-22 or 28-25, with the over/under hovering around 53.5 points.
Key Factors
Dallas Offensive Strength
The Cowboys feature one of the top offenses in the league, led by Dak Prescott. However, their defense has been struggling, especially in pass coverage, giving up high point and yardage totals all season.Arizona’s Recent Form and Injuries
Arizona comes in with a five-game losing streak but has covered the spread in their last two games. Starting QB Kyler Murray will be active but only as a backup, with Jacoby Brissett getting the start. Brissett has performed admirably in recent starts, averaging nearly 300 passing yards and multiple touchdowns, which could help Arizona exploit Dallas’ defensive weaknesses.Injury Impact
Both teams are banged up. The Cowboys are missing several defenders (six ruled out), possibly making them even more vulnerable. The Cardinals are without key players like pass rusher BJ Ojulari and have several others questionable, but their offensive weapons remain healthy.
Expert Picks and Trends
Most betting experts and models expect a high-scoring game and note smart money leaning slightly toward Arizona covering the spread, but the consensus for an outright winner is the Cowboys at home.
The Cardinals have won 7 of the last 8 meetings against Dallas, including three consecutive wins on the road, giving them a psychological advantage.
Trey McBride, Arizona’s tight end, is expected to play a key role, and Brissett’s recent form suggests Arizona should be able to keep up offensively.
Projected Outcome
| Team | Predicted Score | Odds | Key Injuries | Expert Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | 25-28 | -3 fav. | 6 defenders out | Slight edge |
| Cardinals | 22-25 | +3 underdog | Murray backup, Ojulari out | Cover Spread |
Most predictions see the Cowboys winning narrowly, with the Cardinals pushed to cover the spread thanks to their offensive strengths and Dallas’ poor defense, leading to a high-scoring and competitive matchup.
GrokAI Prediction:
The Arizona Cardinals (2-5) visit the Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1) on Monday Night Football in Week 9, with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (ABC/ESPN). This interconference matchup pits two underperforming NFC teams against each other, with Dallas favored by 2.5 to 3.5 points (depending on the sportsbook) and an over/under around 53.5-54 points.
Key Storylines and Injuries
- Quarterback Situations: The Cardinals ruled out Kyler Murray (foot) for a third straight game, with veteran backup Jacoby Brissett starting again. Brissett has been solid in relief (64.2% completion, 599 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT in limited action), but Arizona's offense lacks Murray's dual-threat dynamism—he's undefeated (2-0) all-time at AT&T Stadium. Dallas counters with Dak Prescott, who's thrown for 2,069 yards (16 TDs, 5 INTs) but faces a Cardinals secondary that's vulnerable (25th in pass defense).
- Cowboys Injuries: Dallas is banged up on defense, ruling out starting safety Donovan Wilson (elbow), linebacker Jack Sanborn (groin), and rising LB DeMarvion Overshown (knee). Rookie CB Shavon Revel (knee) is also out. Center Cooper Beebe (ankle) is expected back, bolstering the O-line.
- Cardinals Injuries: Beyond Murray, RB Emari Demercado (ankle) and CB Will Johnson (groin) are questionable. The run game is thin with James Conner and Trey Benson already sidelined, forcing reliance on Bam Knight and Michael Carter.
- Recent Form: Arizona is on a five-game skid but coming off a bye, with losses by a combined 13 points in their last five. They've covered in 4 of 7 games as underdogs. Dallas was embarrassed 44-24 in Denver last week, allowing 31.3 PPG defensively. They're 2-0-1 at home, averaging 41.3 PPG there.
- Historical Edge: Arizona has won seven of the last eight meetings, including three straight over Dallas.
Why Dallas Wins (But It Could Be Close)
Dallas boasts the NFC's top offense (No. 2 overall in yards) and excels at home in primetime spots. Prescott should feast on Arizona's pass-funnel defense, targeting CeeDee Lamb (WR1 lock) and George Pickens. The Cowboys' run game, led by Rico Dowdle (633 yards, 8 TDs), faces a Cardinals front that's improved but depleted.
Expert models lean Dallas: ESPN's FPI gives them 61.1% win probability (by 4.2 points average margin), while simulations project 54% for the Cowboys. Sharp money has hit Dallas -2.5.
Arizona stays competitive with Brissett's efficiency, Trey McBride's emergence (47 catches, 4 TDs), and Marvin Harrison Jr. due for a breakout. They've covered as +3 underdogs twice this year and force turnovers.
My Prediction: Cowboys 34, Cardinals 27
Dallas rebounds in a shootout, covering the spread (-3) but not blowing it out due to defensive absences. Prescott throws for 280+ yards and 3 TDs; the over (53.5) cashes easily—Dallas games have gone over in 6 of 8, and both offenses move the ball. Brissett keeps it within a score, but home dominance and Prescott's primetime pedigree prevail. Playoff implications are slim for both, but a Cowboys loss drops their NFC East title odds below 4%.
Lastly, here are my photos of the Day:
Ditas is back from the East Coast. She visited me yesterday, bringing gifts both from her and Carenna, my youngest granddaughter, who will be graduating next year from George- Washington University in Washington DC.
