After a spirited first two weeks led by a surging defense, the Cowboys crashed back to Earth on Sunday, courtesy of a stunning 28–16 upset loss to the Cardinals on the road.
A pair of lopsided wins with a combined 70–10 victory margin positioned Dallas (2–1) for another potential rout versus Arizona (1–2), a previously winless team missing star quarterback Kyler Murray. But after falling behind, 9–3, in the first quarter, what happened next for the Cowboys made them the subject of much ridicule online.
Much to the surprise of many NFL fans, the Cards went on to outscore the Cowboys, 19–17, behind impressive performances from the defense (one interception, two sacks) and running back James Conner (98 rush yards, one touchdown).
The @AZCardinals have won 7 of their last 8 games against the Cowboys! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/jDOQiuYloD
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 24, 2023
For Dallas, QB Dak Prescott (248 pass yards) and the offense mustered just one TD despite winning the yardage battle, 416 to 400. Elsewhere, the once unstoppable-looking defense fell by the wayside against QB Josh Dobbs and Arizona’s offense en route to an average day.
In all, the Cowboys and coach Mike McCarthy’s poor outing left viewers with more questions than answers, sparking a slew of hilarious jokes about their Week 3 defeat—Dallas’s seventh to Arizona in eight games:
Haaaaaaa pic.twitter.com/xj1b2WWsjP
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 24, 2023
This defensive performance had 0 to do with Diggs. The Cardinals punched the Cowboys in the mouth early & never let up. Talked there stuff & kept feeding them face masks. Game came down to red zone execution. What do you know. Dobbs & the Cardinals out executed Dak & the Boys.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 24, 2023
It’s going to be a LONG week for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys!
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 24, 2023
Under no circumstance should Josh Dobbs and the Cardinals beat Dak Prescott and THIS Cowboys team.
There is quite literally nothing that could get the bitter taste of a blowout home loss out of your mouth quicker than watching the Cowboys lose by double digits on national TV to the Arizona Cardinals.
— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) September 24, 2023
cowboys fans after watching their team lose to the Cardinals pic.twitter.com/xLi25TLbKi
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 24, 2023
"Let me throw the Cowboys in all of my parlays today no way they lose to the Cardinals. They're literally trying to lose"
— br_betting (@br_betting) September 24, 2023
The Cowboys: pic.twitter.com/Q1BvdQkNXU
THERE HE IS, THROWING AN INTERCEPTION WHEN YOU LEAST NEED IT ... DAK PRESCOTT, THE QUARTERBACK YOU JUST CAN'T TRUST.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 24, 2023
Whack Prescott strikes again!!!! I know you @dallascowboys fans were ready to talk, but SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!
— Brian Mitchell (@BMITCHLIVE30) September 24, 2023
The most predictable thing in sports!!
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) September 24, 2023
The cycle
Cowboys ain’t good
Dak trash
McCarthy should be fired
Don’t talk about them anymore
