The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers game was an interesting one before it even kicked off.
The game was delayed for nearly 90-mintues due to a storm that moved through the area right as kickoff was supposed to take place. They finally had the opening kick-off at 8:45 PM central time.
#Cowboys vs #Steelers on @SNFonNBC is in a weather delay pic.twitter.com/8YrKOYnTJT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 7, 2024
For the Cowboys, though, with no Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawerence or Brandin Cooks, this was going to have to be a Dak Prescott game.
It didn’t go that way, for most of the game…….
First Half
The offense was able to pick up one first down on the opening drive, but, like normal, settled for a 55-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey.
One thing I noticed is that the offense was trying to get the ball out as quickly as possible to avoid a quick rush from T.J Watt. They made sure two bodies touched him every time Dak dropped back to pass.
The defense took another hit. On the 5th or 6th play, Marshawn Kneeland was helped off the field. It sounded like he might have torn his ACL.
He was carted to the locker room after he got off the field.
Cowboys rookie DE Marshawn Kneeland is being carted to the locker room
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 7, 2024
When it rains it pours for this Cowboys team.
The Steelers drew up plenty of runs for Fields, and the Cowboys had no answers for it. Bend but don’t break from the defense had to be the motto.
Mike McCarthy continued to make me scratch my head the entire first half. Jalen Brooks made a catch in the first quater that was clearly a first down. He didn’t throw the challenge flag.
Two first-half turnovers by Dak Prescott. Too many points being left off the scoreboard by the Cowboys. Usually comes back to cost you in the end
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 7, 2024
Then on the next drive, he threw it when Justin Fields fumbled, but clearly recovered, costing the Cowboys a timeout for no reason!
After a 3-3 game, the Cowboys’ offense moved the ball inside the red zone, but a sack from Watt forced a fumble by Dak Prescott.
It was the most Cowboys drive of all time. It is so hard to watch sometimes. The defense played out of their minds in the first half.
WTF????????? Miscommunication is the only explanation. No way Dak misread it that bad.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) October 7, 2024
The Cowboys dominated that half of football, but when you turn the ball over twice in the red zone, this is what happens.
The Cowboys should have scored again on the last drive of the half for them, but as you can see above in a tweet from Shannon Sharpe, miscommunication took place and Dak Prescott threw an interception in the end zone.
Second Half
The Steelers started with the ball, and guess what the Cowboys defense did? Started with a roughing the passer penalty, gifting the Steelers 15 free yards after an incomplete pass.
Pitt drove right down the field and finally broke the Cowboys defense. The Steelers scored the first touchdown of the game when Fields connected with Conner Hayward for an easy score.
Steelers go right down the field for a 72-yard drive that ends with a Justin Fields TD pass to Connor Heyward and take a 10-6 lead. They had just 89 yards in the first half.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 7, 2024
This game should have been over in the first half, but thank you Dak Prescott for not putting it away when you had it on a silver platter.
The first drive for the Dallas offense in the second half once again found the red zone, but came away with no points because Aubrey’s field goal attempt was blocked.
The score remained 10-6. After a Steelers punt, the Dallas offense, for the 5th time, drove the ball into the money zone and finally scored a touchdown when Prescott connected with Rico Dowdle.
DOWDLE TOUCHDOWN!
COWBOYS TAKE THE LEAD.pic.twitter.com/p5ssXwRVA9 https://t.co/kb8NsnNjEk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 7, 2024
Dallas took a 13-10 lead with 13 minutes left in the 4th quarter. It was probably the best offensive drive the Cowboys’ offense has had all season thus far.
The Cowboys had a chance to put the game away and Dak Prescott took an unnecessary shot in the deep middle of the field, and he was picked off again, giving the Steelers life.
I don’t understand why Mike McCarthy would even call that play, just run the ball on your best night that you have gotten from Dowdle!
Pitt took advantage of the turnover, scored a touchdown, and took a late 17-13 lead, with 4:56 left in the game.
The game then rested on Dak Prescott shoulders, and he had a chance to make people forget about not putting the game away a long time before that.
With the game on the line, on 4th-and-goal, Prescott found Jalen Tolbert for a touchdown to win the game 20-17.
THE DALLAS COWBOYS!! Dak to Tolbert for 6️⃣!
📺: #DALvsPIT on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Jg7btATnJO— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2024
That was one ugly win, and Dak did whatever he could to give it away and we were about to blast him, but he won the game, so at least for now, we have to credit him, Dowdle and Tolbert for winning this game against a GREAT short-handed defense.
A big win to improve to 3-2.