The Pittsburgh Steelers defense found themselves backed up against their own 1-yard line, clinging to a 4-point lead in the final minute of regulation.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts surged over the line on second down, delivering a crushing hit to Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle and forcing a fumble.
In a moment that could have sealed the game with a fourth takeaway, the Steelers defense saw an opportunity. However, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott quickly pounced on the loose ball.
Despite the 3-yard loss from the fumble, Prescott connected with Jalen Tolbert in the end zone two plays later for the game-winning touchdown.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his frustration over the missed chance to recover Dowdle’s fumble late in the fourth quarter. Edge rusher T.J. Watt, however, took a broader perspective than his coach.
“These games are always so close. It can come down to one play, but really, it’s the full body of work we need to look at,” Watt told reporters after the loss. “It wasn’t just one play tonight.”
The Steelers defense had a mixed performance in Week 5 against Dallas. They managed 3 takeaways and limited the Cowboys to just 1 touchdown on 4 red zone trips.
However, Dallas racked up 445 yards and converted 9 of 15 third-down attempts.
Steelers Fall Just Short of a Critical Defensive Stop
Pittsburgh’s defense looked more like its 2023 form on October 6, rather than the unit from the team’s first three games of this season. While the Cowboys moved the ball effectively, the Steelers defense managed to keep them from turning drives into points.
Two red zone takeaways in the first half helped keep the game close, with Pittsburgh down by just a field goal at halftime. In the third quarter, the Steelers even blocked a Dallas field goal attempt.
Had the Steelers recovered Roberts’ forced fumble, it would have been their third red zone takeaway of the game, and likely the play that clinched the victory.
“There’s a fine line between drinking wine and smashing grapes in our business. That’s one of those examples,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “That ball was right there on the ground in the red zone.
“That’s the difference.”
Depending on one’s perspective, both Watt and Tomlin have valid points. A single play can change the course of an NFL game, drastically shifting the narrative around both players and coaches.
Still, whether or not the Steelers recovered Roberts’ forced fumble, it could be argued the team didn’t play well enough to defeat the Cowboys.
Dallas nearly doubled Pittsburgh’s total yardage, 445-226, and outgained the Steelers by 202 passing yards.
The Cowboys also converted three times as many third downs (9 compared to Pittsburgh’s 3).
Steelers’ T.J. Watt Makes History Against Cowboys
While Watt wasn’t able to make a game-changing play on the final drive, his performance kept the Steelers in the contest despite being outgained by 219 yards.
Watt’s first sack of the night resulted in a forced fumble, the Steelers’ first red zone takeaway. The play also marked his 100th career sack.
Watt joined the elite 100-sack club, reaching the milestone faster than all but one player in NFL history.
He ended the game with 1.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 3 quarterback hits, and 8 total tackles, including 7 solos.
Still, Watt wasn’t interested in discussing his individual achievements after the game.
“Especially this year, it’s not about individual accolades,” Watt said. “It’s all about winning. Tonight, we didn’t do enough to get the win.”
