Brett's Cowboys Corner

We will be waiting all day for a Sunday night, how about a first in the NFL. The first time the Cowboys and Steelers matchup on Sunday Night Football, with all the history and three Superbowl matchups that is hard to believe. The last meeting in Pittsburgh featured a lot of wild two-point conversions, a fake spike touchdown, and a 32-yard game-winning touchdown. The Cowboys led by two rookies, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott…now they return to Pittsburgh. Five players remain from the 2016 game that will play Sunday, as mentioned already Dak and Zeke also include Zack Martin for Dallas and just two from Pittsburgh, Cam Hayward and Chris Boswell.

Before getting into the Keys to Victory, here is the biggest key of the entire game! There are expected thunderstorms to be in the area on Sunday. Starting at 6 pm, two hours before kickoff, and projected to go until about 9 pm. A meteorologist in Pittsburgh said they expect a delay for kickoff. Of course, when they do play, we will see wet ground causing a slippery surface.

Ultimately a Cowboys win on Sunday will come down to coaching. These two teams are closely matched and have similar problems. Zimmer needs to figure out the run scheme quickly and McCarthy needs to implement a creative offense if running the ball traditionally doesn’t work and it may be too bad of conditions to throw. With Brandin Cooks out, there is even more of a need to figure out the receiver route combinations and how to get the ball to Lamb.

• Dowdle needs to be a productive runner and show early that the Cowboys can rely on a run game. Especially in bad weather, you don’t want to throw 50 times.
• Kneeland will fill a void for one of the two edge rushers. Our Dline needs to be tough against a poor Oline.
• Terence Steele will matchup with TJ Watt, don’t let him kill the QB and wreck this whole thing.

• Pickens makes a lot of tough catches, and will try to take advantage of cornerbacks who may not be any good.
• Minkah is all over the field as a tackle, he will try to limit all run after catch for Dallas.
• Nick Herbig will line up against Tyler Guyton who had penalty issues last week.

1 – Make the Tackle.

Mentioned the thunderstorms that will happen during the game, wet and slippery conditions will ensue. The Cowboys have already struggled this season with their tackling abilities. They have allowed 195 yards after a missed tackle this season, which is the 6th most in the NFL. The last thing they need is a slip ‘n slide ground.

The Steelers are known to ground and pound the ball, and they will take a 3 to 4 yard pickup every time. If you have the opportunity to make the tackle, make sure to wrap up. I want to see everyone’s jersey dirty on the defense this week, not just Overshown.

The Cowboys defense has allowed opposing rushers to gain more yards than expected on 41.0% of rushes this season, the 2nd-highest rate in the NFL. The Cowboys have also allowed the 4th-most rushing yards after contact (444) in the league in 2024. Najee Harris has gained more yards than expected on just 25.8% of his carries this season, the 5th-lowest rate in the league (min. 20 carries).

2 – Offensive Line Stay Strong.

The Steelers have a good defensive line, believe it or not they are actually more successful at applying QB pressures when rushing a traditional 4 linemen than when they send 5 or more.

The Cowboys need to spend some time looking how the Chargers handled TJ Watt of the right side, a lot of chips slowed him down and made him a non-factor. Watt will line up against Terrence Steele, who usually has problems with more power rushers. Last week Steele had a nice game against Brian Burns, but this is a different animal.

There will be another beast on the inside, Cam Hayward has generated 11 pressures as a defensive tackle. Usually lines up as a 3-tech meaning he takes the on the guards, the matchup will likely be against Tyler Smith.

Nick Herbig, outside linebacker, plays as a wide edge will try to beat Tyler Guyton around the edge. This could be a scary matchup and may lead to more holding calls. 9 pressures and 2 sacks for Herbig through four weeks of football.

3 – Handle the Run and Live with the Pass.

The Steelers are going to run the ball, this is their identity, regardless if it is working or not. Pittsburgh has had some issues in run blocking, while they usually play with a rare three tightend set, it does not always equal positive gains. The Steelers average 3.8 rush yards per play, with two or more tightends on the field, 21st in the NFL. The Steelers will likely be with two rookie interior lineman that have struggled sustaining blocks.

Handling Justin Fields as a runner is a big part of this. Justin Fields has recorded the 2nd-most carries (18) and 2nd-most yards (73) on designed quarterback runs this season. He will look down the field and see opportunities to tuck it and run. The Cowboys played Fields in 2022 and gave up a quick 60 yards and TD to him on the ground. Fields has 855 yards on designed QB runs since entering the league in 2021, the 3rd-most in the NFL. The Cowboys defense has allowed the 4th-most yards per carry (6.7) to designed QB rushes in 2024.

Though the Cowboys will likely be without starters Caelen Carson and maybe Trevon Diggs. It is in their best interest to limit runs and let the Steelers pass. Fields decision making downfield has not been what was expected, and Arthur Smith limits those by keeping his throws short and sweet. Fields has thrown short of the sticks on a league-high 72.5% of his attempts this season, completing 61 of 73 such attempts for 462 yards, a TD and an INT. He also likes to keep the throws toward the sideline half the time.

4 – Establish the Run Game…Please

This will be the week that the Cowboys running backs need to figure it out. The rotation of Rico, Zeke and Deuce needs to be consistent to keep fresh legs on the field. The Cowboys believe it or not have averaged 4.6 yards per carry on designed runs this season, tied for 3rd-most in the NFL. There just has been an absence of any explosive runs this season.

Hunter Luepke will continue to have a big role. In the rain, the powerful runner will be used in short yardage. Pick up the first down and move onto the next play. He also has a role in the short pass game that has helped keep some drives alive.

5 – Which Pass Catcher Will Step-up?

Losing Brandin Cooks as WR2 for a few weeks hurts, to win this game someone will have to step up to the plate. Here’s some options:

Jalen Tolbert, 2022 3rd round pick.

Tolbert will start as your WR2, and should be the obvious choice to step up. Honestly to earn the credibility from coaches to maybe keep you around, Tolbert needs to show an ability to be a playmaker for your team.

Kavonte Turpin, your dynamic speedster.

Turpin’s role as your deep threat as increased and has found himself more and more plays each week. Turpin’s speed could be utilized this week and having a lack of weapons going into this game may allow McCarthy to find more opportunities to run a few Turpin designed plays.

Jake Ferguson or Luke Schoonmaker.

None of the receivers may step up. We may have to look to our tightend room to pick up some slack. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more two tightend sets to keep a slot receiver off the field and limit WR personnel.

Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, or Deuce Vaughn.

Your backs need to be good runners, but there can be more usage in the pass game, we saw screens and a split back set with Vaughn and Turpin in the backfield. The lack of receivers may make you get more creative with your run game and utilizing your backs.

Ryan Flournoy, rookie, activated this week.

The guy that is under rated and needs to be talked about. Flournoy will get his first opportunity this season to get on the field. Jerry Jones compared his game to that of Dez Bryant. Flournoy is a true X receiver. Meaning he lines up outside on the line and takes corners deep and plays a physical game. He made a lot of tough catches at SE Missouri State, and will have at least 1 deep ball, the one chance to make a play on Sunday Night Football.