The Dallas Cowboys are 3-4-1 heading into Monday night’s primetime Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense have been solid through the first eight games of the 2025 NFL season, but the Dallas defense has fallen woefully short.
In its first season under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys defense ranks second-to-last in both yards allowed (404.6) and points allowed (31.3) per game — leading only the league-worst Cincinnati Bengals in both categories.
In a Week 8 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday, the Cowboys allowed 426 yards of total offense and 44 points — marking their second game allowing at least 40 points this season.
Before taking the booth to call the “Monday Night Football” matchup between the Cardinals and Cowboys, former Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman discussed these defensive struggles with 105.3 The Fan.
“[Eberflus is] a good defensive coordinator. He’s proven that over the years,” Aikman said, via Cowboys insider Jon Machota of The Athletic. “The frustrating thing, I think, for him and for the organization in general is that he’s called things to keep from giving up certain plays and yet they’ve given up those exact plays. So it hasn’t been from lack of calling the right scheme, it’s just been really more than anything a lack of execution.”
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Fortunately for the Cowboys defense, the Cardinals will be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray for the third straight game on Monday night — clearing the way for veteran backup Jacoby Brissett to make another start.
Arizona has lost each of its last five games and ranks bottom half of the league in both offensive yards gained and points scored per game.
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Monday night’s primetime Week 9 matchup between the Cardinals and Cowboys will kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium.
