Resilient and able to win sloppy, here’s what we learned in the Cowboys’ 20-17 win Steelers

The Cowboys had their best offensive output on the season, amassing 445 total yards against a stingy Steelers defense. That effort was led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who threw for 352 yards and two scores.

However, Prescott had some rough moments that led to a tight game instead one the Cowboys could’ve won in blowout fashion. Prescott had three turnovers, including two interceptions and two red zone mistakes that came close to costing the team the game.

The fumble on the last play of the first quarter when the Cowboys were sure to put at least three points on the board was a poor play from the veteran signal caller. Prescott has to know that he doesn’t have time to sit in the pocket and needs to throw the ball away or take the sack to give his kicker a chance at three points. Instead, Prescott failed to protect the ball, and the Steelers kept the score tied.

Prescott also threw an interception in the end zone near the end of the first half on a throw to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who didn’t appear to be on the same page with his QB.

No matter the miscommunication, it was a poor throw from Prescott that cost his team points.

The last mistake came in the fourth quarter with the Cowboys leading 13-10 and on a first-and-10 pass. Prescott threw into double coverage and took an unnecessary shot deep down the field when the offense was controlling the game. The Steelers took the turnover and scored a touchdown to give them a 17-13 lead late in the game.

It was an inexcusable throw from Prescott at the wrong time.

Despite helping the Cowboys outgain the Steelers almost 2-1 in total yards, Prescott managed to put the team behind the eight-ball. Yet, when the game was on the line, Prescott responded like big-time players do.

After the interception that led to the Pittsburgh touchdown, there was 4:56 left on the clock for Prescott to mount the game-winning drive and that’s exactly what he did. Prescott led a 15-play, 70-yard drive that saw him save the game with a heads-up fumble recovery, then deliver the winning touchdown for Dallas.

With the Cowboys on the half-yard line, running back Rico Dowdle fumbled while trying to reach the ball over the goal line. Fortunately, Prescott fell on the ball to give the Cowboys two more chances to win the game.

Two plays after saving the game, Prescott won it on a touchdown pass to WR Jalen Tolbert on the crossing pattern near the sideline.

Prescott was sharp for most of the night, but a few bad decisions threatened to ruin his performance against a good Steelers defense. But when it mattered most, Prescott came through to win the game.

It may have taken five weeks, but the Cowboys may have found themselves a RB capable of taking most of the workload. Dowdle had his best outing of the season, and the best game of his career in the Week 5 win.

The undrafted free agent looks like he won the starting job with a tough 87 yards on the ground, adding 27 more and a touchdown through the air. The Steelers were giving up just under 87 rushing yards a game, but Dowdle had no problem running through their tackle attempts and averaging 4.4 yards a carry.

Dowdle did fumble near the end of the game, but it didn’t come back to haunt the Cowboys. It was clear in this contest that Dowdle is the best backfield option for the offense, and he is a dual threat who should see the majority of the RB snaps going forward.

The Cowboys were playing without their two best defenders against the Steelers, boundary corners 2 and 3, and they lost another starter, rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, early in the game. That didn’t seem to bother an unheralded group that put forth a gutsy effort in the win. Mike Zimmer’s defense responded to being shorthanded by allowing just 17 points, surrendering a paltry 226 total yards, and had three sacks. It was the defenses first multi-sack effort since the first game of the season, when they were healthy and had six.

It was also a defense that limited the damage in the running game, giving up only 92 rushing yards to an offense that averages over 121 yards on the ground. Dallas slowed top Steelers RB Najee Harris, allowing him to run for 42 yards, and held Justin Fields in check, giving up only 27 yards to the running QB. Pittsburgh could only muster 3.5 ypc and their longest run was eight yards.

That’s an impressive effort for a defense that couldn’t stop anyone in the run game a few weeks ago. And doing it without some of their best defenders against one of the most physical teams in the league was remarkable.