Winners and Losers: Cowboys run game overcomes officials, injuries in win over Steelers
After a lengthy rain and lightning delay, the Cowboys were able to churn out an ugly but hardfought victory over a Pittsburgh team that thrives in situations Dallas found themselves in Sunday night (or Monday morning depending on the time zone). Quarterback Dak Prescott was unbelievable despite tossing two interceptions, going 29 of 42 for 352 yards and two touchdowns after the game-winning pass. It may be easy to anoint him now but there are a few unsung heroes who deserve the winner tag as well.
Kudos to this no-name defense that held Pittsburgh to just 226 total yards on 57 snaps, a pedestrian four yards per play. This Dallas defense held the Steelers to just 3 of 12 on third-down conversions.
As with any game though, not everything was roses and sunshine. Like Prescott’s picks there were some moments and performances that could’ve been executed much better. Here’s the collection of winners and losers from Week 5.
Winner: Cowboys backup wide receivers
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) scores the game winning touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Dallas won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dallas lost receiver Brandin Cooks for at least the next four games due to a knee infection and, the Cowboys needed someone to step up in his absence. A usual deterrent in the return game, Pittsburgh opted to give him his chances on special teams, but it was the opportunities in the offense that placed receiver Kavonte Turpin on the list.
Turpin finished the game with four catches for 50 yards which doesn’t sound like much, but it was effective enough to garner some attention. This allowed Jalen Tolbert to become the focus in the second half leading all receivers with seven grabs for 87 yards including the game-winning four-yard touchdown catch.
This new development forces upcoming opponents to deal with the Cowboys newest threats but more importantly, it gives the wideouts confidence in what has been a disappointing start as a group. Perhaps all the talk of bringing in Raiders All-Pro receiver Davante Adams was the kind of motivation they needed.
Loser: Sunday Night Officiating Crew
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) celebrates a touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Shawn Hochuli and his officiating crew didn’t give the Cowboys an inch when it came to the benefit of the doubt against the Steelers on Sunday Night. Twice the Sunday Night broadcasting crew highlighted the ball being spotted short of the line to gain for Dallas.
Wideout Jalen Brooks appeared to have gotten the first down on his only reception of the day while running back Rico Dowdle was much closer to another first down yet both times, Dallas was shorted on the play.
The crew also missed an illegal lineman downfield on the go-ahead touchdown shovel pass by the Steelers to make it 17-13 late in the fourth quarter. Luckily for them, and the Cowboys, Dak Prescott bailed them all out.
Winner: Rico Dowdle
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
In a year where the running back position has severely lacked any “juice”, Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle finally gave a much-needed infusion of production from the position. Dowdle rushed 20 times for 87 yards adding a 22-yard touchdown through the air from quarterback Dak Prescott.
His breakout game allowed the other backs to fall into their rightful place as supporting cast members. Fellow running mates Ezekiel Elliott and Hunter Luepke were able to give Dallas the dirty yards in short-yardage situations.
This is an area where Dallas can be better as that Dowdle fumble at the goal line, as improbable as that was, should serve notice to the coaching staff that roles must be played by certain players moving forward.
Loser: Terence Steele
Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Terence Steele (78) lines up during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
Dallas had a built-in escape clause in case starting right tackle Terence Steele struggled to return to form from a serious knee injury. Happy with what they saw, the team opted to restructure his contract making it more expensive to move on from his salary next season.
Team officials may be second-guessing themselves as Steelers edge player T.J. Watt turned him into a turnstile on national television.
Steele carries an $18.1 million cap number next season and unless things turn around drastically, paying a player roughly 6.1% of your cap for less than mediocre results is probably why the front office cannot stop talking to the media, or anyone else who will listen, about their perennial salary issues.
Loser: 2024 Draft Class injuries
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 06: Marshawn Kneeland #94 of the Dallas Cowboys is on the field with an injury during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Injuries in general have been a problem but the Cowboys lost rookie starting left tackle Tyler Guyton, their first-round pick in 2024, and Marshawn Kneeland, their second-round pick, in the first half against the Steelers. Neither returned and Dallas now faces a grim possibility where both players may miss an extended amount of time.
Dallas has leaned heavily on their rookie class this season with center Cooper Beebe and linebacker Marist Liufau being the only members of the drafted guys this season to finish the game in Pittsburgh. Fifth-round cornerback Caelen Carson was inactive due to a shoulder injury while lineman Nathan Thomas is already on injured reserve.
Loser: The decision to drat Taco Charlton
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton warming up before action against the Seattle Seahawks in a NFL Wild Card playoff game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. (Photo by Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS/Sipa USA)
Catching strays when not even remotely involved in a contest isn’t cool yet on the night Steelers All-Pro edge T.J Watt recorded his 100th sack, it’s hard for memories not to be conjured up reminding Cowboys Nation what could have been.
In six seasons, Charlton played for five teams, recorded 11.5 sacks, and has not played a regular-season down since the 2022 season. While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones eventually landed his “War Daddy” in defensive end Micah Parsons, Charlton will forever be linked to this Steelers potential Hall of Fame player.
Conclusion:
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on October 7, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Sunday night heroics by quarterback Dak Prescott give Dallas their first winning streak of the season but it was their newfound running game that should give hope to fans if they are indeed still buying stock.
The Dallas defense has now gone two games in a row where their opponents have failed to rush for over 100 yards, and also failed to score more than 17 points. During their current winning streak, the Dallas defense has only given up two touchdowns. While the game may have looked ugly, it’s better than losing pretty.
Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
