In a stunning turn of events, the Arizona Cardinals pulled off the biggest upset of the NFL season so far, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 28-16 in a game filled with mistakes and missed opportunities for the Cowboys. The Cardinals never trailed throughout the game and took a commanding 21-10 lead at halftime with a 62-yard field goal by Matt Prater on the final play of the first half.

The Cardinals, who had also held halftime leads in their previous two games but failed to secure a victory, managed to hold on this time and secure their first win of the season. Head coach Jonathan Gannon celebrated his first win with the franchise as the Cardinals snapped a six-game losing streak at home that had lasted nearly a year.

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs had an impressive performance, completing 17 of 21 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. Running back James Conner also had a standout game, rushing for 98 yards, while Rondale Moore contributed with a rushing touchdown. The Cardinals scored on all five of their possessions before halftime, demonstrating their offensive dominance.

The Cowboys, who had looked like one of the strongest teams in the league in the first two weeks, suffered from a lackluster performance marred by penalties. They were called for 13 penalties that cost them 107 yards throughout the game. Despite cutting the margin to 21-16 in the fourth quarter with a pair of field goals by Brandon Aubrey, the Cowboys failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. They had three drives that stalled inside the Arizona 10, including one that ended with a fourth-down stop when Dak Prescott threw an incomplete pass.

Prescott completed 25 of 40 passes for 249 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. However, his efforts were not enough to bring the Cowboys back into the game. In the fourth quarter, Dobbs connected with Marquise Brown for a 2-yard touchdown, extending the Cardinals' lead to 28-16 with 7:22 remaining. The game was sealed when Kyzir White intercepted Prescott's pass in the end zone with three minutes left.

The Cowboys' lackluster performance could be attributed to a tough week of practice that saw them lose star cornerback Trevon Diggs for the season due to an ACL injury. This loss seemed to affect the team's morale, resulting in a gaffe-filled first half with 10 penalties for 72 yards.

On the other hand, the Cardinals capitalized on their strong start to the game. Dobbs set the tone early with a 44-yard run on the second play of the game, igniting the Cardinals' offense. Conner added to their lead with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Cardinals up 9-0 in the first quarter. Moore, who is primarily a receiver, surprised with a 45-yard touchdown run, further extending their lead to 15-3 in the second quarter.

The Cardinals' victory was a significant upset considering they were double-digit underdogs heading into the matchup. Sportsbooks had underestimated their potential for success, as the Cardinals had appeared to be in a rebuilding phase. Nevertheless, they proved their resilience and handed the Cowboys their first loss of the season.

The Cardinals will look to build on this victory as they face the undefeated San Francisco 49ers in an NFC West matchup, while the Cowboys will aim to bounce back against the New England Patriots in Week 4.