(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout the season, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the TV 2025 season.)
As Week 9 of the NFL season winds down, there are plenty of questions that have yet to be answered surrounding two of the NFC's underachieving organizations. The Cowboys (3-4-1) have an opportunity to get back to .500 as they enter the bye week, hoping to keep their season alive before a gauntlet final two months of the regular season. While the Arizona Cardinals (2-5) look to snap a five-game losing streak, where every game has been decided by just one score.
Both organizations believe they're better than their record currently shows. Each team has a former Pro Bowl quarterback that has struggled with playoff success and injuries over the last few seasons, an elite pass catcher at tight end, a vertical threat at wide receiver, paired with depth at the position.
However, for different reasons, each team enters the final game of Week 9 with something to prove from outside the playoff picture. Despite all that, with the weapons on each offense, they each believe they'll leave AT&T Stadium with a win. Here are five key offensive players for the Cardinals and Cowboys clash on Monday Night Football:
5. Jake Ferguson
Coming off his first game without a catch since Week 14 of his rookie year in 2022, Jake Ferguson will be under the microscope now than ever before. He had quickly established himself as a key part of the Cowboys offense, and when his production struggled last week, so did the Cowboys offense.
Ferguson still leads all tight ends with 51 receptions this season and ranks fifth in all reception leaders. Against a Cardinals defense that plays a significant amount of zone defense with two-high safeties, expect Dallas to find him early and often to get that pre-Week 8 groove back.
4. Trey McBride
Also in the conversation for "best tight end in the NFC" Trey McBride has followed up his breakout 2024 campaign with a stellar start to the 2025 season despite multiple quarterbacks behind center. McBride leads the Cardinals in all three major receiving categories with 47 receptions for 421 yards, and four touchdowns.
He's also just the third tight end in NFL history to have five receptions in his team's first seven games and can be the first one to do it for eight straight. Despite some of the struggles on defense, Dallas has kept opposing tight ends in check with Green Bay's Tucker Kraft's five receptions for 56 yards as the biggest output by a tight end this season.
3. Marvin Harrison Jr.
Year two for Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a puzzling one. After an incredible rookie campaign, the star wide receiver has seen his targets and overall production go down from year one to year two. But despite seeing 5.7 targets per game instead of the 6.8 he saw last year, he's averaging more yards per game (56.6) than he did as a rookie (52.1).
The Dallas defense has struggled at times to slow down some of the young star wide receivers like Malik Nabers, Tetairoa McMillian, Rome Odunze, and Garrett Wilson, who all found the endzone against the Cowboys. Could Harrison Jr. be the next one in line to find paydirt against Dallas?
2. Dak Prescott
Prior to Week 8, Dak Prescott was undoubtably playing his best all-around football of his career. Unfortunately, his franchise-record streak of four-straight games with three passing touchdowns and no interceptions came to an emphatic end against Denver last week. Now, it's up to Prescott to find some of that magic again on Monday Night Football.
History says he's ready for that challenge. Since entering the league in 2016, Prescott ranks fifth in the NFL for winning percentage following a loss (.685). Additionally, he'll have his starting center, Cooper Beebe, back in the fold. Meaning there's a good chance he'll have more time to operate against a solid coverage, but uninspiring pass rush from Arizona.
1. Kyler Murray
Will he play? That is yet to be decided. If he doesn't play, it'll be the veteran backup
Jacoby Brissett under center again. The Cardinals entire identity as an offense changes between the differing styles of the two quarterbacks. Brissett provides a traditional approach with his steady pocket passing ability and knowledge of the playbook.
While Murray brings a more explosive element and the ability to extend plays with his legs. All a threat against a Cowboys defense that has struggled against such quarterbacks this season. Naturally, that means Murray and his availability will be the number one key figure tonight to watch.
