Steelers Scouting Report: Dallas Cowboys, Week 5
Steel City Underground scouts the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents each week of the 2024 NFL regular season ahead of the games to inform fans of the latest news, roster moves, important players, and latest social media chatter.
Can the Steelers stay ahead in the AFC North after a disappointing loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4?
The Steelers will host the Cowboys on Sunday, October 6th at 8:20 PM EDT at Acrisure Stadium in Week 5. With the two historic NFL teams playing in different conferences, they rarely meet each other but have had some exciting games against each other in the past as one of the league’s most iconic rivalries, having met three times in the Super Bowl over the years. Here’s a scouting report of the contest.
Rebound potential at home
The start of the 2024 season has brought teams a mix of big upsets, rebound victories, and narrow escapes, but the Steelers made a positive impression early, winning their first three matches of the season. Despite mistakes and injuries, and the three-point loss to the Colts, the Steelers have stepped up their competitiveness this season.
Justin Fields showed an ability to do something no other Steelers quarterback had done previously in his last performance. With head coach Mike Tomlin‘s announcement Fields will get the start, he’ll need to return to the working formula of protecting the ball and leaning on his playmakers to step up in order to beat the Cowboys.
The Steelers are currently ranked 3rd in AFC standings, just behind the Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) and Houston Texans (3-1).
A slide in defense was a key factor in their Week 4 loss.
Better run-stopping, led by captain Cameron Heyward on the defensive line and the interior linebackers will help give the Steelers a rebound. Don’t count out the pass rush. The defensive backfield should fare better in this matchup.
The Cowboys began the season on a positive note with a win against the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, their abysmal performance against the New Orleans Saints the following week saw them lose, massively.
The combo of Dak Prescott and Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer may not have the spark to bring them back up from their slide, especially against the Steelers.
The Cowboys are currently ranked 8th in the NFC. They lost to the Baltimore Ravens and then handed the New York Giants a loss in Week 4.
They’ll be without three key players in receiver Brandin Cooks, linebacker Micah Parsons, and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. That could be costly to Dallas’ efforts to upset Pittsburgh
Key factors that may determine victory
Home-field advantage has long been a driving force for the Steelers and, after last week’s loss, they could use the energy Steelers Nation will undoubtedly bring to the stadium. Pittsburgh could use a confidence boost to get back on track.
Long-standing rivalry aside, both teams will be looking for the victory. The Steelers bested the Cowboys in their last matchup, back in 2020.
T.J. Watt was relentless in the first four weeks of play for the Steelers despite being held often without drawing a penalty. Jerry Jones has publicly stated he often thinks about the Cowboys passing on Watt in the NFL Draft, and this week he’ll hope his team finds a way to stop the game wrecker. If Watt gets loose, get ready for fireworks.
Cowboys rookie offensive linemen Cooper Beebe and Tyler Guyton have shown promise, but face a crucial test against Watt and this Steelers defense.
Beebe has shown impressive pass-blocking skill at center; on 268 snaps, he has allowed just 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry, and 3 pressures. He had never played the position until joining the Cowboys. And Guyton, at tackle, has allowed 4 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 6 quarterback hurries through 269 snaps. He has been hit with penalties, however. Both will be given a tall task in protecting Prescott.
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George Pickens has taken up the mantle of top wide receiver, and rookie Roman Wilson is expected to contribute soon. Although the Steelers offense is in a transitioning phase, the uptick in play of Calvin Austin may prove to be a disadvantage for the Cowboys.
One advantage for Dallas may be injuries to Cordarrelle Patterson and Jaylen Warren at running back. That has left Najee Harris in the position to carry the run game for Pittsburgh. Harris showed his frustration to the media after the loss in Week 4. If he can’t find ways to rush behind the offensive line, the Cowboys could make the Steelers offense very one-dimensional.
