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Sunday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers got off to a stormy start as lightning delayed the action at Acrisure Stadium. But while the weather paused the game, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott kept his teammates focused.
“I was saying it before the game started, like we’re not going to forget this one regardless,” said Prescott, who ate a protein waffle, stretched and did some drills during the wait. “With the delays, with everything that happened, it’s one of those games I don’t care how long you play, you’ll never forget it. I just kept saying, ‘Let’s make it one to remember.’ I think we did that in all the ups, the downs, the ebbs and flows.”
Prescott threw the game-winning touchdown — a 4-yard pass to Jalen Tolbert — with 20 seconds left, giving the Cowboys a 20-17 win over the Steelers. This victory kept the Cowboys (3-2) above .500 and close behind the Washington Commanders (4-1) in the NFC East. It was also the Cowboys’ third road win this season, their best road start since Prescott’s rookie year in 2016.
McCarthy’s First Steelers Victory
This win was special for head coach Mike McCarthy because it was his first regular-season victory against the Steelers, his hometown team. Although McCarthy won Super Bowl XLV against Pittsburgh as coach of the Green Bay Packers, he had lost all four of his previous regular-season matchups against the Steelers.
“It feels great,” said McCarthy, who walked out of the stadium with his parents, Joe and Ellen, to a waiting group of family and friends. “It’s the first time I’ve been part of a victory here. But — and I do mean this — at the end of the day, this is about the players. This is a players’ game. I’m blessed to be a part of the NFL for as long as I’ve been. I have tremendous respect for this organization, but, yeah, this game is about the players. These guys poured it out there. Both sides.”
After the victory, the players gave McCarthy the game ball, the first he’s ever received in his career.
“That’s a guy that, I mean, I know how I feel about him,” Prescott said. “Love him. Great head coach. He’s very, very proud to be from Pittsburgh. Greenfield at that. And you hear it anytime anything comes up with references from this place. So that’s why I had to go on a little tour [Saturday night] and see some of the stomping grounds that he’s talked about, paint that picture in my head. It was really special, got to stop by his parents’ house, spend some time with him and them.”
Tolbert’s Clutch Performance
The game wasn’t perfect for the Cowboys, as Prescott turned the ball over three times — two interceptions and a fumble. Two of those turnovers came in the red zone, costing the team points. They also had a field goal attempt blocked and were penalized 11 times for 87 yards.
However, with 4:56 left in the game, Prescott had a chance to lead the 23rd game-winning drive of his career.
“Composure is a huge strength of his,” McCarthy said of his quarterback, who threw for 352 yards on 29-of-42 passing. “He’s the same man every day. The way he works, the way he competes, yeah, he doesn’t blink. He doesn’t dwell on mistakes.”
Prescott completed 5 of 7 passes for 46 yards during the final drive, ran for 3 yards, and even recovered a fumble at the 4-yard line. After the Steelers called a timeout with 26 seconds left, McCarthy adjusted the play to give Prescott more protection.
Tolbert, filling in for the injured Brandin Cooks, managed to get free and catch Prescott’s pass with 20 seconds remaining for the game-winning score.
“I love being in that. We practice it a lot,” Prescott said. “You’re pissed at yourself for the turnovers, for the interceptions, but when I realize I have the ball, down 4 with an opportunity to score, with enough time, plenty of time, that’s all I can ask for.”
Injuries Test Cowboys’ Depth
The Cowboys played without key players, including Cooks and defensive ends Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot). They also lost left tackle Tyler Guyton and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland to knee injuries in the first half.
With Guyton out, guard Tyler Smith moved to tackle. When Zack Martin left due to cramping, the Cowboys were left with backups Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe, and T.J. Bass as their interior offensive linemen.
On defense, practice-squad player Amani Oruwariye started at cornerback, and linebackers were prepared to play defensive end.
“I just think,” McCarthy said, “the resiliency of our football team was on display tonight.”
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This report used information from ESPN.
