Pittsburgh, PA – The Dallas Cowboys faced a real uphill battle in their Week 5 “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Entering the game, Dallas was already missing key players, including their second wide receiver Brandin Cooks due to a knee injury, three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons with a high ankle sprain, and four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence owing to a mid-foot injury. However, the challenges did not stop there.
After a significant weather delay that pushed the kickoff back by an hour and a half, the Cowboys suffered further injuries on the field. The team lost rookie edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland and left tackle Tyler Guyton, both to knee injuries. By the fourth quarter, Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin also had to briefly leave the game due to cramps but did return with under five minutes left.
Despite these setbacks, the Cowboys managed to pull off a 20-17 victory, improving their season record to 3-2. Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed relief and joy as he returned to his old stomping grounds, having a happy homecoming against the Steelers, who now stand at 3-2 having lost their last two games.
In a game where the Cowboys struggled offensively, particularly in the red zone, quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 352 yards, tossing two touchdowns and two interceptions on 29 of 42 passing while losing a fumble. The Cowboys managed just three points on their first four red zone trips, but Prescott’s persistence shone through when it mattered the most. With 26 seconds remaining in the game, he connected with Jalen Tolbert for the game-winning 4-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal.
The Steelers initially held a slight edge during the game, even taking their first lead with a touchdown from quarterback Justin Fields to tight end Connor Hayward for a 17-13 advantage late in the fourth. However, it was ultimately Prescott’s resilience that sealed the win for Dallas.
Next week, the Cowboys will face a well-rested Detroit Lions team that is hungry for revenge after a narrow loss to Dallas last season. The Steelers, meanwhile, will hit the road to take on a struggling Las Vegas Raiders team, seeking to turn their fortunes around.
