👋 Good morning! For the first time in over a month, happy victory Monday Tuesday.

It’s been so long, we’ve almost forgotten what seeing a Cardinals win feels like, but with big-time victories by both the Cards and Wildcats last night, it’s tough to beat waking up a winner.

Let’s get to the Monday Night Football action (and more)!

— Alex D’Agostino, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

How nice is it to not be embarrassed in front of a captive national audience on Monday Night Football? In fact, dare I say, Arizona put on a truly thrilling show in a 27-17 win The final score did not reflect the disparity in performance, I can tell you that.

Apparently — Kyler Murray or not — Jerry’s world still belongs to Big Red. The Cardinals have not lost to the Cowboys since 2017, and are 8-1 in their last nine matchups. Yes, even the game started by Joshua Dobbs in 2023.

But with a third-straight excellent performance by Jacoby Brissett (21-of-31, 261 yards and three total TDs), the QB controversy now becomes even louder.

Brissett clearly has full command of this offense, and is able to get the ball to his playmakers at a high rate of success. But is Murray still the starter, when healthy?

“Nothing has changed,” head coach Jonathan Gannon adamantly maintains. Be that as it may, it’s going to be very difficult to force Brissett back to the bench after the way he’s played in relief of Murray.

Only time will tell.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr. reached a career-high in receptions, hauling in seven passes for 96 yards and a score less than 24 hours after his Hall of Fame father voiced his displeasure with Arizona’s offense — join the club, Marvin Sr.

Well, the Cardinals’ offense was anything but a tough watch last night.

But with that said, it was the defense that made the bigger statement. After seven straight agonizing fourth quarters (and four blown leads), Arizona’s defensive unit finally proved they were capable of closing games.

Arizona’s defenders sacked Dak Prescott five times (twice in the final drive, by the ageless wonder Calais Campbell). They forced two fumbles and a game-sealing interception.

And it’s not as if it was a cheap performance. The Cowboys’ record might be poor, but they came in with one of the best offenses in football. Arizona held them to just 10 offensive points and 333 total yards. (We can just pretend that blocked punt didn’t happen, right?)

Let’s take a look at some key performances. As good as Campbell, Brissett, Budda Baker and some other veterans may have been, it was a young man’s game Monday night.

DL Walter Nolen III: In his first career game coming off injury, Arizona’s first-rounder was an instant difference-maker up front. Four tackles, two TFLs, a swatted pass and a fourth-quarter sack on a key drive. Welcome to the Valley, Walt.

LB Cody Simon: Three tackles and a massive forced fumble on RB Javonte Williams that stopped a fourth-quarter drive in its tracks.

DB Denzel Burke: Burke was given a tough task, facing elite WRs in George Pickens and Ceedee Lamb. He performed admirably, with seven tackles, two passes defended and the game-winning pick in the final drive.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: Seven catches. 96 Yards. One Touchdown. One Daron Bland smoothie, fresh out of the blender.

Okay, fine, we’ll give some credit to the vets, too. OLB Josh Sweat had two sacks and five QB hits. Budda Baker had seven more tackles. LB Mack Wilson Sr. had seven tackles of his own and a forced fumble.

There were more good performances. Many more. That’s the beauty of a complete team win — something we haven’t seen out of this team all season.

Arizona is still 3-5, and still stuck in the hellscape that is the NFC West. But in the words of a certain fictional accountant: it’s just nice to win one.

Sims-ulation: Backup QB Jeff Sims was named the AP National Player of the Week for his gutsy performance in the Sun Devils’ 24-19 win over Iowa State, as well as Co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Sims rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns, and tossed another score with 177 through the air.

Arizona State basketball, meanwhile, will kick off its season against Southern Utah tonight at 7:00 p.m. AZ time in Tempe.

Kingslayers: Wildcat basketball took down the reigning national champion Florida Gators in Las Vegas last night by a score of 93-87 — a huge win over the No. 3-ranked team in the nation. Freshman Koa Peat led the charge with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while PG Jaden Bradley dropped 27 with three boards and five assists.

Oh, and Arizona QB Noah Fifita joined his fellow Arizona passer with Big 12 Player of the Week Honors for his 213-yard, four-touchdown night against Colorado on Saturday.

Golden Days: The Suns take on Steph Curry and the 4-3 Golden State Warriors on the road tonight at 8:00 p.m. Phoenix is coming off back-to-back sturdy wins, looking to climb back to an even .500.

Same, CeeDee, same.