A once-storied rivalry meets again as the Dallas Cowboys travel to the Steel City to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Though this matchup may not be as consequential as the Super Bowl battles of the ‘70s and ‘90s, it still represents a major test for the Cowboys. Banged up and missing multiple key starters, Dallas must prove its muster against Pittsburgh’s formidable defense. What’s more, after a relatively inauspicious start, the Cowboys only have an uphill climb from here, with the championship-contender Lions and 49ers next on the docket.
So can Dallas put it all together and make a statement Sunday? The Dallas Morning News’ columnists and beat writers make their predictions:
Tim Cowlishaw
The Steelers might be 3-1 but they aren’t a bad opponent for a team that could be reeling from losses on the defensive line. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is even more of a piecemeal affair and the Steelers are only an average running team, anyway, although QB Justin Fields gives them a dimension they have not had for years. This should look quite a bit like last week’s game in New York, a harder fight for sure but one that Dak and CeeDee Lamb can secure with a bigger night than they had in the Meadowlands
Cowboys 19, Steelers 14
Damon Marx
The modern version of the historic Cowboys-Steelers rivalry is a matchup of franchises that have done less with more (Dallas) and more with less (Pittsburgh). The Cowboys have struggled to stop the run this season (even before key injuries), run the ball and convert drives into touchdowns. The 3-1 Steelers, somehow, have scored fewer points per game than Dallas (24.3 to 18.8). This is a recipe for a low-scoring game, with the team that avoids mistakes claiming the victory. Does that sound like these Cowboys?
Steelers 20, Cowboys 17
David Moore
The Cowboys will have to play this game without one of the league’s best defensive players in Micah Parsons. The rugged hand of DeMarcus Lawrence will also be missing on the defensive side of the ball. The offense must come to life without the presence of Brandin Cooks. Plenty of questions face the Cowboys entering this game. But hey, how about that helicopter that owner Jerry Jones landed on the practice field the other day? Pretty nice, huh?
Cowboys 20, Steelers 16
Abraham Nudelstejer
Carrie Underwood’s “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” is a sign of a high-expectations game, and the Cowboys will have to rise to the occasion to leave Pittsburgh with a road win. Dallas’ defensive stars Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence will be absent from the prime-time game, which means Justin Fields will become a headache leading the Pittsburgh offense. It will be Dak Prescott’s turn to answer every Steelers blow and keep a close game for Brandon Aubrey to win it with a field goal.
Cowboys 27, Steelers 24
Kevin Sherrington
First there was no running game, then the pass rush disappeared and now the second-best WR. If it’s not a curse, it’s at least karma. Beating Pittsburgh on the road under these circumstances would be a far greater accomplishment than the win over the Giants in New Jersey. It would also tell us a little about their resiliency, which is something we once didn’t question.
Cowboys 23, Steelers 20
Calvin Watkins
This will be another ugly game. The Cowboys running game is struggling and the Steelers offense is running through mud. At some point, a turnover will turn the tide Sunday night. Marshawn Kneeland might be a surprise player to have an impact.
Cowboys 16, Steelers 10
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