If you ask a casual fan about the biggest rivalries in Dallas, they’ll point to Philly or the Giants. But there is a weird, lingering ghost in the room that most people ignore until it’s too late. It’s the Cardinals. Honestly, if you look at the recent history of Dallas vs Arizona Cardinals, it's basically a horror movie for the silver and blue.
The Cowboys have this historical dominance that makes the national media fall in love every September. They lead the all-time series 56-36-1. On paper, it looks like a blowout. But paper doesn't account for the fact that Arizona has won eight of the last nine matchups.
Eight. Out of nine.
That isn't a fluke; it's a trend that has spanned multiple coaching regimes and different quarterbacks. The latest chapter just happened on November 3, 2025, and it was a mess for Dallas. They walked into that Monday Night Football game as favorites and walked out with a 27-17 loss.
What Happened in the 2025 Matchup?
The most recent game was a perfect example of how this matchup goes sideways for the Cowboys. Playing at AT&T Stadium, Dallas was supposed to handle a Cardinals team that had lost five straight games. Instead, Jacoby Brissett—filling in for an injured Kyler Murray—looked like a Pro Bowler.
He diced up the Dallas defense for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the main culprit, hauling in seven catches for 96 yards. He basically lived in the Dallas secondary all night.
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Dallas, meanwhile, looked stuck in mud. Dak Prescott was sacked five times. The offense went 0-for-3 on fourth down. It’s kinda wild when you think about it: the Cowboys had over 330 yards of offense but only managed 17 points because they completely collapsed in the red zone. They even had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Marshawn Kneeland, and they still lost by double digits.
It was a total breakdown in situational football.
The NFC East Scars
A lot of younger fans don't realize these two teams used to be divisional rivals. Before the 2002 realignment, the Cardinals were in the NFC East. Because of that, there’s this deep-seated bitterness that hasn’t really evaporated.
For the Cardinals, beating Dallas isn't just a win; it’s a statement of "we belong." Back in the 90s, when the Cardinals played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, the crowd was usually 60% Cowboys fans. It felt like a home game for Dallas in the middle of the desert.
That dynamic created a "little brother" syndrome that Arizona has spent the last two decades curing with a hammer.
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Key Moments in the Rivalry
- 1998 Wild Card Round: This is the one older Cards fans cherish. The Cardinals had lost twice to Dallas in the regular season but went into Texas Stadium and pulled off a 20-7 upset. It was Arizona's first playoff win in 51 years.
- The 2008 Blocked Punt: A walk-off blocked punt in overtime by Sean Morey gave Arizona a 30-24 win. That season, the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl. Dallas went home early.
- The Kyler Murray Era: Before his recent injury, Kyler Murray was a perfect 2-0 against Dallas. He grew up in North Texas and never lost at AT&T Stadium, dating back to his high school days at Allen.
Dak Prescott’s Arizona Problem
Dak Prescott is one of the most successful regular-season quarterbacks in modern history, but the Cardinals are his kryptonite. After the 2025 loss, his record against Arizona dropped to 1-3.
If you compare that to his 14-3 record against the New York Giants, the discrepancy is jarring. It’s not just the wins and losses, either. Against Arizona, his passer rating tends to dip, and his completion percentage fluctuates.
In the latest 2025 meeting, he finished with a 77.9 rating. He was under fire constantly. Part of the issue is how Arizona’s defensive schemes, particularly under Jonathan Gannon, tend to disguise coverages in a way that forces Dak to hold the ball a split second longer than he wants to. That’s where the sacks come from.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The schedule for 2026 has already been sketched out, and Dallas is slated to host the Cardinals again at AT&T Stadium. The date isn't set yet, but the psychological hurdle is already there.
Dallas will likely be favored again. They almost always are. But until they prove they can stop the bleeding against this specific opponent, the "Big D" is going to have a hard time convincing anyone they're a true contender.
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What Dallas Needs to Fix
- Red Zone Efficiency: Failing twice on fourth-and-goal, as they did in late 2025, is a death sentence. They need to move away from predictable fade routes to CeeDee Lamb and use their tight ends more effectively.
- Pressure Management: The Cowboys’ offensive line has struggled with Arizona’s stunt packages. They’ve given up an average of four sacks per game in their last three meetings with the Cards.
- The "Home" Mentality: Dallas needs to stop treating this as a "scheduled win." Arizona plays with a chip on their shoulder that the Cowboys haven't matched in years.
How to Watch and Follow
If you’re planning on catching the next round of Dallas vs Arizona Cardinals, keep an eye on the official NFL schedule release in May 2026. Most of these games have been moved to national windows like Monday Night Football or late Sunday afternoon slots because the ratings are usually huge.
For those looking for a deep dive into the stats before the next kickoff, Pro-Football-Reference remains the gold standard for head-to-head breakdowns.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Betting Note: Historically, Arizona has been a monster against the spread (ATS) when playing Dallas. Even when they lose, they keep it close.
- Travel Tip: If the game moves back to Glendale in the future, State Farm Stadium is notoriously loud. Dallas fans still travel well, but the "Sea of Red" is much more aggressive than it was in the Sun Devil Stadium days.
- Fantasy Impact: Start your Arizona tight ends. Trey McBride has consistently torched the Dallas secondary over the last two seasons.
The rivalry might not have the "prestige" of the 49ers or Packers matchups, but for a Dallas team trying to get back to the Super Bowl, Arizona is the gatekeeper they can’t seem to get past.