Cardinals Stun Cowboys 33-30 in OT as Minshew Sparks Epic Comeback in Dallas

The Arizona Cardinals stunned the Dallas Cowboys 33-30 in overtime on Sunday, November 1, 2026, completing a comeback that looked impossible for most of the afternoon at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Gardner Minshew came off the bench in the second half, threw three touchdown passes, and turned a 17-3 deficit into one of the wildest wins of the NFL season, before Chad Ryland kicked the winning 42-yard field goal in overtime after missing the extra point that would have won the game in regulation.

Key Points

• The Arizona Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 33-30 in overtime in Week 8 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
• Gardner Minshew replaced Jacoby Brissett in the second half and finished 17 of 23 for 188 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions.
• Chad Ryland missed the extra point after a touchdown with six seconds left in regulation, then kicked the 42-yard winner in overtime.
• Tyler Allgeier scored twice, including a 63-yard touchdown run on Minshew's first drive, as Arizona scored 20 points in the fourth quarter.
• Dallas fell to 3-5, while Arizona improved to 3-5 after entering the game at 2-5.

What Happened

Dallas controlled the first half and much of the third quarter. The Cowboys took a 7-0 lead when Budda Baker forced Javonte Williams to fumble at the Dallas two-yard line, only for the ball to bounce into the end zone, where tight end James Mitchell recovered it for a touchdown, his first since 2022 after being elevated from the practice squad the previous day. Ryan Flournoy then made a one-handed catch for a nine-yard touchdown from Dak Prescott, and Brandon Aubrey added a 31-yard field goal to make it 17-3 early in the second half.

Arizona's offence was stuck. Jacoby Brissett completed 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards and one interception, was sacked four times, and watched the Cardinals fail again in the red zone, including a fourth-down stop at the Dallas one-yard line. Arizona had scored a touchdown on only one of its previous 12 trips inside the 20-yard line. When Aubrey missed a 61-yard field goal on the last play of the first half, Dallas still went into the break ahead 14-3 and was due to receive the second-half kickoff.

The turning point came early in the second half. After Brissett was sacked twice on Arizona's first possession after the break and the defence forced a Dallas punt, head coach Mike LaFleur made the change. Minshew entered for his regular-season debut with the Cardinals, and the game changed immediately. His first throw went for seven yards to Devin Duvernay. On the next play, Tyler Allgeier broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 17-10.

Prescott answered with a five-yard touchdown run to restore a 24-10 lead, but the comeback was only pausing. Allgeier ripped off a 52-yard run to start the next Arizona drive, and Minshew found him for a five-yard touchdown pass on a seven-play, 80-yard drive that took just 3 minutes 33 seconds. With 3 minutes 54 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Aubrey kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 27-17. Minshew answered again: after rookie receiver Reggie Virgil was hurt hitting the base of the goalpost, he found a wide-open Trey McBride for a 14-yard touchdown with 2 minutes 11 seconds left, Arizona's third consecutive touchdown drive with Minshew in the game.

Aubrey kicked a 41-yard field goal with 1 minute 9 seconds left for a 30-24 Dallas lead, giving Arizona one last chance. Minshew took it, leading an 80-yard drive in just 1 minute 3 seconds and eight plays, finishing with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson with six seconds remaining. The extra point would have completed the comeback, but Ryland pushed it wide left, his first missed extra point in more than two seasons, sending the game to overtime tied 30-30.

Overtime began with Arizona going three-and-out, handing Dallas the chance to win with a field goal. Josh Sweat ended that chance with a third-down sack that forced a Dallas punt. Minshew then led the winning drive: Wilson gained 17 yards on a jet sweep, Allgeier carried Arizona inside the Dallas 30, and Ryland drilled the 42-yard field goal for a 33-30 victory.

Background: Cardinals Cowboys OT Comeback

The result was a shock on several levels. Arizona entered at 2-5, with a backup rookie left tackle and a fourth-string right guard, and was a seven-point underdog against a Dallas team with one of the league's best offences. Dallas, at 3-4, had just ended a two-game losing run with a 38-21 win at Philadelphia on Monday night. The Cowboys were without wide receiver George Pickens, and lost rookie safety Caleb Downs to a concussion in the second half.

Arizona's injury problems were even worse. Jeremiyah Love, back after a two-game absence with a left ankle sprain, hurt his right ankle again at the end of the first quarter and was ruled out. Receiver Kendrick Bourne suffered a high ankle sprain and was ruled out. Running back Bam Knight was ruled out with a concussion after being shaken up on a fumble before half-time, leaving Allgeier as the only healthy and active running back. That context makes Allgeier's performance, and Minshew's calm under pressure, all the more remarkable. The quarter scores told the story: Arizona 0, 3, 7, 20 and 3; Dallas 7, 7, 3, 13 and 0. Dallas allowed 430 total yards by the end of overtime.

Reactions

The reaction centred on two men: Minshew and Ryland. Minshew finished 17 of 23 for 188 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 137.3 passer rating, after Brissett had gone 10 of 23 for 119 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Arizona scored on each of Minshew's first three drives, and scored 21 of its 24 points in regulation after he replaced Brissett. Wilson was his most trusted target, finishing with 111 receiving yards, catching the touchdown that should have won the game in regulation, and adding the 17-yard jet-sweep run in overtime. McBride caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Ryland's afternoon captured the cruelty and redemption of the sport in minutes. His missed extra point was a high-percentage kick that would have sealed a great comeback. Instead he waited through overtime, watched his defence stop Dallas, and stepped up again from 42 yards. This time the kick was good. For Dallas, the questions will focus on a defence that could not protect leads of 17-3, 24-10 and 30-24, and an offence that, after Prescott's touchdown made it 24-10, managed only three field goals for the rest of the game.

Why It Matters

This game may have settled Arizona's quarterback question for the rest of the season. Brissett is signed only through this season, and Minshew's performance, three touchdown drives in a row, 188 yards on 23 attempts and no turnovers, made a powerful case for more playing time. It also matters for the NFC playoff picture: both teams are now 3-5, and the head-to-head result and the manner of it could matter in tiebreakers and confidence. Arizona, written off after a 2-5 start, now has a road win over a high-profile opponent to build on. Dallas, which had hoped a win at Philadelphia would start a run, instead suffered a home defeat that will raise fresh doubts about a defence that has been its weakness all season.

What Happens Next

Arizona must manage its injury list: Love, Bourne and Knight all left the game and did not return, and their availability for next week will be central in practice. The Cardinals must also decide whether Minshew keeps the starting job after a performance that changed the game. Dallas must check on Downs after his concussion, hope Pickens can return, and find a defensive answer after allowing 430 yards and 20 fourth-quarter points. With the season at its midpoint, Dallas cannot afford many more home defeats of this kind if it wants to stay in the playoff race.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Cardinals vs Cowboys on November 1, 2026?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 33-30 in overtime at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Who replaced Jacoby Brissett for the Cardinals?

Gardner Minshew replaced Jacoby Brissett in the second half, in his regular-season debut for Arizona, and threw three touchdown passes.

What were Gardner Minshew's stats against Dallas?

Minshew completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions, for a 137.3 passer rating.

Did Chad Ryland miss a kick before the winner?

Yes. Ryland missed the extra point after Michael Wilson's touchdown with six seconds left in regulation, which would have won the game 31-30, before kicking the 42-yard winner in overtime.

What are the Cardinals' and Cowboys' records now?

Both teams are now 3-5. Arizona improved from 2-5, while Dallas fell from 3-4.

Related coverage: Lions beat Vikings 19-15 to end unbeaten run, Jaguars hammer Colts 42-7 and Josh Allen passes Jim Kelly for Bills record.

Sources: Cards Wire / USA Today, AZCentral, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and ClutchPoints, November 1, 2026. The featured image is an illustrative generated stadium scene, not an actual game photograph.