Honestly, if you ask a Dallas fan about the Arizona Cardinals, you’ll probably get a shrug. To them, the "real" enemies are in Philly or D.C. But head over to the desert, and the vibe shifts. Fast. For Arizona fans, beating the Cowboys isn't just a win; it’s a spiritual cleansing. It’s about decades of being the "other" team in their own stadium.
Remember the Sun Devil Stadium days? It was brutal.
Back in the 90s, when the Cardinals were struggling to find their footing after moving from St. Louis, every home game against Dallas felt like a takeover. The stands were a sea of silver and blue. Cowboys fans who lived in the Valley came out in droves, making it feel like a neutral site game at best—and a road game at worst. That resentment doesn't just evaporate because the divisions changed in 2002. It bakes in.
The NFC East Ghost That Won't Quit
People forget these two were division rivals for over 30 years. From 1970 until the big NFL realignment, the Cardinals were the "basement" of the NFC East. While the Cowboys were building a dynasty and calling themselves "America's Team," the Cardinals were often the punching bag.
Dallas leads the all-time series 56-36-1. That sounds lopsided. It is. But if you look at the recent trend, the script has flipped in a way that drives Dallas fans crazy.
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Since 2008, Arizona has actually dominated. They’ve won 8 of the last 9 matchups. Think about that. Even when the Cowboys have the better record or the "flashier" roster, they seem to trip over their own feet the second they see a Cardinal on the schedule.
Why the Cardinals have the Cowboys' number
- The Kyler Murray Factor: Kyler is 2-0 against Dallas. He grew up in Texas, played at Allen High School, and treats AT&T Stadium like his personal backyard.
- The "Trap Game" Energy: Dallas often enters these games as heavy favorites, but the Cardinals play with a "nothing to lose" chip on their shoulder that Jerry Jones' squad struggle to match.
- The 2025 Shocker: Just this past November, a struggling 2-5 Cardinals team walked into Arlington and handled the Cowboys 27-17. Jacoby Brissett, filling in for an injured Kyler Murray, looked like a surgeon, and the Arizona defense sacked Dak Prescott five times.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Matchup?
Nobody expected the November 3rd game to go the way it did. Dallas was a 3.5-point favorite. Most experts thought they’d cruise. Instead, the Cardinals' defense, led by the ageless Calais Campbell and a relentless Josh Sweat, turned the "Death Star" into a house of horrors for Dak.
The game was basically over when Denzel Burke intercepted a desperation heave from Prescott in the fourth quarter. It wasn't just a loss for Dallas; it was a total breakdown. Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. proved he’s the real deal, hauling in 7 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown that left the Cowboys' secondary looking like they were stuck in mud.
It’s games like this that keep the "one-way rivalry" alive. Dallas fans claim they don't care, but you can see the frustration when they lose to a team they think they’re supposed to beat by twenty.
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Legendary Moments You Probably Forgot
If you go back to Christmas 2010, you’ll find one of the wildest finishes in this series. The Cardinals won 27-26 on a 48-yard field goal by Jay Feely with almost no time left. But the only reason they had a chance was because the Cowboys missed an extra point earlier.
Classic Dallas.
Then there’s the 1998 playoffs. The only time these two have met in the postseason. The Cardinals hadn't won a playoff game in fifty years. Fifty! They walked into Texas Stadium and stunned the world with a 20-7 win. It’s still considered one of the greatest moments in Arizona sports history.
The "Home Game" Problem
Even in 2026, the crowd dynamic is weird. When Dallas travels to Glendale, the ticket prices skyrocket. Local Cardinals fans often sell their seats to Cowboys fans who are willing to pay triple the face value. It creates this bizarre atmosphere where the "home" team gets booed in their own building.
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What to Watch for in 2026
If you’re looking to catch the next chapter of the Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys, here is the ground reality.
- Check the Schedule Early: These games are rarely protected "prime time" slots unless both teams are surging, but they are high-demand. Expect ticket prices to average around $190-$210 for decent seats.
- The Quarterback Health: The entire dynamic of this matchup hinges on Kyler Murray’s mobility versus Dallas’s pass rush. If Kyler is healthy, he usually shreds the Cowboys' zone coverage.
- The Draft Implications: Both teams are in a weird spot. Arizona is rebuilding with young talent like Marvin Harrison Jr., while Dallas is trying to keep their championship window from slamming shut.
The Cardinals aren't the "basement" team anymore. They’re the "thorn in the side." For a Cowboys fan, a loss to Arizona is an embarrassment. For a Cardinals fan, it’s the best Monday morning of the year.
Next Steps: If you're planning on heading to the game, book your parking at State Farm Stadium or AT&T Stadium at least three weeks in advance. Trust me, the traffic in Arlington is a nightmare, and the Glendale "Great Lawn" tailgating fills up before the sun is even fully up.