There are a couple of Steelers players who present greater challenges than others.
2023 Overview
Any team that is coached by Mike Tomlin is going to be ready to play on any given Sunday. Such was the case for the 2023 Steelers who finished 10-7 and made it to the playoffs once again. Tomlin has never had a losing season during his tenure in Pittsburgh and the team has built a reputation for being a tough, well-coached football team under his watch.
Fast forward to 2024 and this Steelers team looks vastly different but under Mike Tomlin it will still be a disciplined football team who should be respected.
2023 Record: 10-7
Last Meeting: 11/8/2020 Steelers win, 24-19. Dallas Cowboys lead series 17-16-0
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (176-101-2 as a head coach)
Key Additions: QB Justin Fields, QB Russell Wilson, LB Patrick Queen
Key Departures: QB Kenny Pickett, WR Diontae Jackson, WR Allen Robinson II
Player to watch… T.J. Watt
Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
What more can you say about T.J. Watt that hasn’t already been said about the playmaker? Watt may be the most feared pass rusher in the game today and the Cowboys better have a plan for how to stop him on Sunday.
With a rookie left tackle in Tyler Guyton, and Terrence Steele at right tackle who has been known to be shaky at times, figuring out how to limit Watt and his impact will be key to the team’s success.
Watt has the ability to completely change the momentum of a game and if the Cowboys don’t come prepared, he’s going to be a game-wrecker once again. Whether it’s by keeping a running back in or chipping him with a tight end, the Cowboys are going to have to maneuver their offense around where Watt is in order to limit his impact.
Don’t forget about… George Pickens
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With the shakiness that is the Dallas Cowboys secondary George Pickens has a chance to make a massive impact on Sunday night. The Cowboys are battling injury issues at corner so they will be undermanned even if it is just DaRon Bland who misses the game.
Pickens, a dynamic pass catcher out of Georgia, is rounding into form as one of the games best receivers. Trevon Diggs will travel some, but Mike Zimmer doesn’t ask him to do it all the time, setting up a situation where Pickens can find a favorable matchup against other cornerbacks the Cowboys trot out there.
Last week he went off for over 100 yards receiving. If the Cowboys aren’t careful and don’t have a plan for it, they could see Pickens do something like that once again.
