The Dallas Cowboys led the Arizona Cardinals 24-10 and still lost. After kicker Chad Ryland missed an extra point that would have extended the game and a three-and-out in overtime, Arizona walked out of Arlington with a victory, leaving Dallas at 3-5-1 — a record that, in the NFC East, still keeps playoff hopes technically alive, ran reported.
Week 8 delivered the clearest separation yet between the NFL’s surging teams and its sinking ones. Gardner Minshew took over at quarterback for Arizona and threw three touchdowns. Drake Maye threw three of his own while playing without eight offensive starters. And the Bears, Lions and Broncos all authored comebacks or dominant wins that reshaped the midseason picture.
Minshew Seizes the Cardinals Job in Arlington
Arizona benched Jacoby Brissett during the game against Dallas and turned to Minshew, and the change was immediate. Minshew completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, engineering the overtime win, according to ran. The performance earned him the permanent starting job, with tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson giving him reliable weapons.
The quarterback switch also exposed how much Brissett had been holding the offense back when the Cardinals benched him during the game against Dallas.
Drake Maye Carries a Depleted Patriots Offense
Only the Philadelphia Eagles have more injured players than New England right now. Eight potential offensive starters were missing, including the Patriots’ three best receivers, ran reported. Maye responded with another three-touchdown game, no turnovers and more than 200 total yards.
Cowboys Collapse After Blowing Lead
The Cowboys’ collapse against Arizona had two layers: blowing the 24-10 lead, and losing in overtime only after Ryland’s missed extra point kept the game alive. In the extra period, Dallas had the ball and needed just a field goal — instead it went three-and-out. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer owns a share of the blame, ran reported, and the 3-5-1 record in a weak NFC East division only masks how broken the team has become.
What Week 8 Means for the Playoff Race
Dallas sits at 3-5-1 in a division where that record still matters.
