Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are a Heavyweight Prize Fighter

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:19 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys are a heavyweight prize fighter that never gives up. Evidenced by the thriller against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) celebrates their go-ahead score against the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Oh my goodness. That’s all most people can say about these Dallas Cowboys after their last-minute victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys showed the grit and resolve to withstand the Steelers best shot, and come back with a knockout punch of their own.

Most people have witnessed a heavyweight boxing match in their life and the anticipation leading up to a prize fight is unsurpassed. The Cowboys and Steelers lived up to the billing of a heavyweight prize fight, and they didn’t disappoint.

In a game that had seven lead changes, and countless highlight reel plays on both sides, the Cowboys were able to withstand the haymaker’s that Pittsburgh dished out and responded with a knockout-shot of their own. Running back Ezekiel Elliott right up the gut for 32 yards. T-K-O.

The Cowboys looked to be over-matched early in this fight as they fell behind 12-3 after an early strip-sack on quarterback Dak Prescott took all the momentum Dallas had early on. Yet the Cowboys were able to counter-punch their way back into this one and kept it close when it looked like they may get knocked out.

Give the Steelers a lot of credit, they appeared to be the toughest match-up Dallas has faced all season. They were able to jump out to the quick lead, and even take the Cowboys out of their game plan by winning the time of possession in the first half. They were able to force Dallas to pass, and Elliott only had seven rushes in the first half of play. Kudos, they played a hell of a game.

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

You also have to credit these never-say-die Cowboys as they were able to fight their way back into a game that seemed was slipping away multiple times. This team has the mental toughness needed to compete for a championship, and they have overcome so much diversity already just nine games into the season.

First, there was the tough come-from-behind victory on the road against the division rival Washington Redskins to avoid being down 0-2 on the season. Then there was the 14-0 deficit they overcame on the road against San Francisco.

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Next came the stellar performance on the road against the Green Bay Packers – who rarely lose at home. Then the intense rivalry game against the Philadelphia Eagles tested everything this team has on every level, and yet they came out on top again.

Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that this team was able to respond after giving up a last minute touchdown on a fake-spike. After all, they had 3 timeouts left even though there was only 42 seconds on the clock.

In the NFL, that’s plenty of time to get into field goal range, and that’s all they needed. Yet, against all the odds – a rookie quarterback in as hostile territory as it gets, and a rookie running back sharing the load of the pressure – the Cowboys marched right down the field on the arm of Prescott.

The rookie quarterback once again showed that he is wise beyond his years, he was ice-cold while surgically marching his team down the field for victory. He made all the right reads, and then hit his clutch tight end, future Hall of Famer Jason Witten for a first down, with a face mask penalty on the tackle put them well within kicker Dan Bailey‘s range. Cowboys fans likely couldn’t believe what they saw before them.

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Then, the magic happened. The Cowboys got their play call from the sideline. The Steelers lined up to stack the box knowing Dallas is just going to drain the clock for a game-winning field goal attempt. The Steelers linebackers crashed down to their left on the snap of the ball, and offensive tackle Tyron Smith and tight end Gavin Escobar knew what to do. They sealed the hole, and Zeke did the rest. 32 yards, right up the middle of the defense!

The Steelers were reeling and tried to land one last haymaker to hopefully create a turnover. They sold out on the run blitz, but Zeke is too talented, and too smart of a runner. He made them pay in a big way as he hit the knock-out home run. Game, set, match! The Cowboys go on to 8-1 and defeat their historic rival in a thriller.

It has been a long, long time since the Cowboys were able to run off eight straight victories. Dating back to 1977 to be exact. Not coincidentally the Cowboys went on to the Super Bowl that year and beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 12. It’s still too early to tell with these Cowboys, but they have the resolve of a champion. A heavyweight champion to be exact.

There is still a lot of road left, and lot of story to be told for this team. Cowboys fans can be confident going forward knowing that no matter what comes at them, they will fight to the bitter end. Better yet, the rest of the NFL is on notice that Dallas is a tough match-up that nobody wants to face. They are one of the most physical teams in the league, and they never flinch.

Enjoy this one, Cowboys fans. You’ve earned it. It has been twenty-plus years since you had a team this formidable and it appears a squad has been constructed much like the team of the early 90’s. They are young, tough, hungry, and they can flat out play ball. The Dallas Cowboys are back, ladies and gentlemen, and they have knock-out power to take this thing the distance.

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