Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers: Preview and Predictions
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys take on their long-time rival, Pittsburgh Steelers, in a midseason classic at Heinz Field. What are we predicting?
For the 7-1 Dallas Cowboys, things are going well. Winners of the last seven, Dallas is the top ranked team in the NFC and ready to make a statement against one of the most explosive teams in the AFC.
The 4-4 Pittsburgh Steelers have had an up and down season. They have the firepower to beat anyone and will be the Cowboys’ defense biggest test to-date.
Here’s what the Sport DFW Staff is saying about the match-up:
Stephen Francis
Many predicted last week’s game against Cleveland to be the classic “trap game” for the Cowboys. I wasn’t fooled, though. The Browns will likely win a game before season’s end because winless seasons are rare. So what does that have to do with this week? Well, I believe this game has the potential for a trap.
Heinz Field is a tough place to play as a road team and Pittsburgh is good enough to beat anyone that faces them. The Steelers have had a very Dickens-like “Tale of Two Teams” season. One week they get drilled by a shaky Eagles team and the next week they demolish a really good Chiefs team, handily.
I have a feeling they’ll be up for the challenge this week and give the Cowboys a run for their money.
Prediction: Dallas 20 Pittsburgh 24
Reid Hanson
This is all about the Cowboys’ secondary. We know the Cowboys offense will run the ball, convert 3rd downs, and score points. We know the defense will platoon to rush the passer, swarm to the football, and play a bend-but-don’t-break scheme. But we don’t know how the secondary will play.
The secondary, sans Morris Claiborne and Barry Church, has yet to be tested. It will be against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense. The pressure will be on all afternoon and starting the game strong will be paramount.
The Philadelphia Eagles exposed rookie quarterback Dak Prescott two weeks ago. With heavy pressure, Dak struggles to execute. It’s imperative that Dak finds his hot routes when pressured. The only way to stop the blitz is to counter with big plays.
Fun Fact: 114.7 yards rushing per game to break Eric Dickerson‘s rookie rushing record
Prediction: Dallas 34 Pittsburgh 27
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Dink Kearney
he 7-1 Dallas Cowboys play the 4-4 Pittsburgh Steelers in a must win game for the Steelers. The Steelers have lost three in a row and are desperate for a win. On the other hand, the Cowboys are one of the hottest teams in the NFL with its 7-game winning streak on the line.
The Cowboys will face a Jekyll and Hyde Steelers team that either scores 40 points or scores only three points, like it did early in the season to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys have proven everyone wrong and have beaten good teams during its winning streak, and I expect it to continue.
The Cowboys will stick to its bread and butter, run the ball continuously and use play action to dominate the Steelers defense. The Steelers weakness on defense is the deep ball, and expect the Cowboys to exploit it with Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams or Brice Butler.
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Zeke Elliott will gain over 100 yards and score some touchdowns. The Cowboys defense will keep Big Ben Roethlisberger in check with a pressure up the middle because he’s still not 100 percent healthy. This defense is getting better with each game. The Cowboys are one confident bunch, and there is no team they can’t beat. Another good road win for America’s Team.
Prediction: Dallas 35 Pittsburgh 21