Cowboys Ride Roller Coaster, Win Thriller in Pittsburgh

Powered by their precocious rookie dynamic duo, the Dallas Cowboys showed true grit in snatching another win on the road.

It was difficult knowing what to expect before yesterday’s game. Sure, the Dallas Cowboys were the darlings of the NFC–if not all of football–heading into their tilt versus Pittsburgh. But this was the Steelers and their famed mystique. Their faithful would be in full throat. This was “Big Ben”. It was Heinz Field. Terrible Towels would be waving. All the ingredients were in place for a setback.

And early on, an ill wind blew. Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott fumbled on the opening possession of the game. Pittsburgh quickly capitalized with a touchdown. As the first half progressed, sloppy play and penalties portended a poor result. Yet through it all, the Cowboys displayed the resilience that has been their calling card all season.

This ability to bounce back was highlighted by an electrifying 83-yard touchdown pass to running back Ezekiel Elliott. The play call was brilliant, but the execution was even better. Once Elliott broke into Pittsburgh territory, he displayed the world class speed that makes him every bit worth the fourth overall pick. The Steelers had to scratch their heads as they went to the halftime break ahead by only two points.

The choppy first half set the stage for a riveting second stanza. The Cowboys and Steelers settled into a tempo wholly befitting the storied history between these two flagship franchises. What transpired was an old-school heavyweight battle replete with the requisite ebbs and flows that make for exquisitely brutal drama.

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The second half was where the Dallas resolve officially achieved a status that is beyond reproach. They have their flaws on defense. Pittsburgh essentially moved the ball at will, and when the defense fell victim to the fake spike in the waning stages of the game, it was easy to think the other shoe had fallen. Even then, forty-two seconds remained. More importantly, there was a full allotment of timeouts. Full credit must go to head coach Jason Garrett for managing the game at nut-cutting time. For all the criticism he takes, the team plays hard and never gives up. There is something to be said for that.

But what followed in the dying moments of the game was something transcendent. Take it with a grain of salt from a longtime Cowboy homer, but I am hard pressed to remember something as as dramatic as what happened in the last two minutes of the game.

Zeke’s first carry out of the commercial break resulted in a touchdown that gave Dallas a 29-24 lead. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, thereby giving Pittsburgh plenty of time to respond. The Steelers promptly drove the length of the field and reclaimed the lead on the strength of the aforementioned fake spike touchdown pass.

Forty-two seconds remained. Three timeouts were in reserve. The lead had changed hands for the sixth time, but the Dallas Cowboys weren’t done. Prescott calmly navigated the offense down the field. Fortuitously, a facemask penalty put Dallas in position to win with a late field goal.

In the end, a kick wasn’t necessary. After the penalty, Prescott handed off to Elliot. The wunderkind running back slipped through a narrow hole and took it to the house. The touchdown provided the final margin of victory. The book of Dak and Zeke continues to be written. This squad continues to amaze and exceed.

Next: Cowboys fans should fear Jerry Jones botching the Dak Prescott and Tony Romo situation

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While the injuries on the defensive side are troublesome, the offense appears fully capable of bailing their fat from the fire. This is what team football looks like, Cowboy fans. Whether or not this translates to postseason glory is anyone’s guess right now. What is certain, though, is that this team has “It”, and “It” is a glorious sight to behold.

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