For the first time ever, two of the NFL’s most storied franchises—the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys—are set to clash in a regular-season Sunday Night Football game. This highly anticipated matchup promises to deliver excitement and intensity for fans of both teams.
Recent Performances
The Steelers are coming off a narrow 27-24 defeat against the Indianapolis Colts. In that game, the Colts surged ahead to a 17-0 lead before the Steelers could find their footing. On the other side, the Cowboys have made some adjustments but are dealing with significant losses.
They’ve lost star pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, and are already missing cornerback DaRon Bland.
Both teams currently hold a 2-2 record. For the Cowboys, standout performances from wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott have been key. Prescott is having his best season to date, ranking fifth in NFL passing yards and on track to surpass 5,000 yards—making him a potential sleeper MVP candidate, despite his DraftKings odds being +2500.
Key Players to Watch
Najee Harris (Steelers, Running Back): Harris is the top player to monitor for Pittsburgh. The Cowboys’ rushing defense has been inconsistent, although they did limit the New York Giants to just 26 yards on 24 carries last week.
After a modest 19 yards on 13 carries against the Colts, Harris is looking to rebound. Additionally, Steelers quarterback Justin Fields can contribute to the running game, which currently ranks last in success rate on early downs and 28th overall.
If Pittsburgh can establish a strong ground game, they can neutralize Dallas’ offense, keeping Prescott and Lamb off the field. Harris has an over/under of 64.5 rushing yards on FanDuel—the highest mark of his season. Whether he surpasses this depends on Pittsburgh’s ability to adapt their offensive schemes, but his performance will be crucial for moving the chains against Dallas’ weakened front.
Defensive Adjustments
Expect the Cowboys to experiment with their offensive strategies, potentially mimicking the Colts’ use of motion. However, Dallas is unlikely to adopt Indianapolis’ exact tactics. Instead, they might shift CeeDee Lamb into the slot, challenging Joey Porter Jr. who prefers playing outside corner.
This could lead to more stacked and condensed formations, aiming to create favorable matchups for Lamb and capitalize on T.J. Watt’s strengths.
If the Steelers stick to their basic spot-drop Cover 3 defense, Prescott and Lamb could exploit gaps, but Pittsburgh may hesitate to leave Lamb in one-on-one coverage. This dilemma could leave the Steelers vulnerable if the Cowboys’ dynamic duo takes control.
Game Prediction
While the Cowboys boast a potent offense, their depth isn’t as robust, and their pass protection may falter against the Steelers’ formidable defensive line. Although Lamb is expected to make significant contributions and potentially dominate parts of the game, the Steelers have a solid chance to establish a consistent running game.
With Harris and Fields combining forces, Pittsburgh can drive the ball effectively and convert those drives into touchdowns. Overall, the Steelers appear to have the edge on paper. My prediction is a narrow Steelers victory, covering the spread by 1.5 points: Steelers 24, Cowboys 21.
