The Dallas Cowboys have a golden opportunity in front of them to win a weak NFC East, but they continue to fall short against inferior teams.
On Sunday, the Cowboys blew a 14-point lead to the Arizona Cardinals, dropping to 3-5 in the process. Dallas was in full control of the game, but when the Cardinals benched Jacoby Brissett for backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, Arizona mounted a spirited comeback to stun Dallas.
Therefore, the heat on head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Christian Parker continues to rise. The defense has been among the worst in the league in Schottenheimer’s two seasons as head coach, while Parker’s first year as defensive coordinator has not shown any improvements to the unit.
After the game, owner Jerry Jones said he is not considering a coaching change right now.
Jerry Jones said he is not considering any kind of coaching changes and said he still has confidence in Brian Schottenheimer.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 1, 2026
If Dallas were to make a move, Parker would likely be the first to go, with Schottenheimer getting a little more leash as head coach. Either way, though, the Cowboys’ coaching staff needs to turn it around, and fast.
Here’s how the Cowboys’ defense blew another game.
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Cowboys defense collapses again
When Dak Prescott rushed for a touchdown to open the fourth quarter, the Cowboys took a 24-10 lead at home, which seemed like enough to win the game. However, Cardinals backup quarterback Gardner Minshew battled back.
From that moment on, Arizona outscored Dallas 21-6 in the final 14:20 of regulation to force overtime. That included three touchdown drives, while the Cowboys had two drives that ended in field goals.
The most disastrous part of the game came within the last few minutes of regulation. After the Cardinals cut the score to 27-24, they failed to recover an onside kick, giving Dallas control of the game. However, Dallas failed to get a first down, settling for a Brandon Aubrey field goal to make the lead six points.
Arizona got the ball back but needed to go the length of the field without any timeouts. That is exactly what they did, as Minshew led the team on an eight-play, 80-yard drive, which was highlighted by several huge plays to Michael Wilson.
MINSHEW MAGIC OH MY! https://t.co/KCtTmz4Av4
— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2026
Dallas was lucky that Arizona missed the extra point to force overtime, but the Cowboys couldn’t take advantage. Both teams punted on their first drives of the extra frame, and Arizona then drove down for a game-winning field goal to deliver the knockout blow.
Chad Ryland’s kick is good and the Cardinals defeat the Cowboys in OT! https://t.co/jNpfNFvn5q
— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2026
That result is history for both the Cowboys and Cardinals. Since 2000, Dallas was 69-0 when leading by at least 14 points in the fourth quarter, while Arizona was 1-147-1 while trailing by 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Minshew Magic in Dallas ✨ The Cardinals complete the comeback in OT to beat the Cowboys, 33-30. Since 2000 the Cardinals were 1-147-1 when trailing by 14+ in the 4th quarter and the Cowboys were 69-0 at home when leading by 14+ points in the 4th quarter, entering today. https://t.co/n8k2kE41fQ
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 1, 2026
The loss is devastating for the Cowboys, who are still alive in a weak NFC East divisional race. Dak Prescott is the only starting quarterback in the division to play every game this season, but it hasn’t mattered with the way the defense has performed.
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