Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys vs. Steelers: Four Thoughts Before the Game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:50 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in what should be another epic chapter of their historic rivalry. Here are some thoughts for Week Ten.

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are walking into Sunday’s game with a record of 7-1. The Pittsburgh Steelers are hardly pushovers but have struggled to really be a consistent football club.

Dallas will walk into the lions den on Sunday as they face a team that is in danger of losing four straight games, and the Steelers typically play pretty well at home.

The Cowboys on the other hand look like they cannot be stopped, they are playing sound football and have been all season long.

This is a matchup NFL fans are salivating over as these two teams will look to renew a bitter rivalry that has given history some of the greatest games every played. This game should be an explosive affair and all eyes will be on Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant.

#1. Dez Bryant versus the Steelers Cornerbacks

Bryant will have a big role in this ballgame whether he gets thrown to or not. Bryant should draw rookie Pittsburgh cornerback Artie Burns which should be concerning for the Steelers. Bryant’s matchup is a potential game changer for the Cowboys if the Steelers leave their rookie in single coverage.

Burns will struggle to guard Dez in one on one coverage and the Steelers are likely to stack the box and force Cowboys rookie quarterback, Dak Prescott to throw the football. Pittsburgh cannot stop the pass and Bryant will play a big role in that.

Nov 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

#2. Steelers are undermanned in the passing game

Pittsburgh will be missing several players on offense in this game, most of them wide receivers.

Wide receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey and Markus Wheaton are both injured and will miss this game.

So will running back DeAngelo Williams.

Sammie Coates is also likely to miss this game.

So the Steelers will have to rely on Eli Rogers, If he is active.

As well as the newly activated tight end Ladarius Green.

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They, of course, have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Antonio Brown.

Brown is a player who has torched secondaries throughout his career stronger than the group the Cowboys are putting on the field.

Antonio also has two things in common with Prescott.

They were both picked later on in the draft, and they both have been making defenses pay for it ever since.

The Steelers really only need Brown to torch a defense.

However the way the Cowboys have been guarding top receivers in this league that should be a challenge for him.

Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates his third quarter touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Pittsburgh has allowed 99 yards to opposing running backs

The Steelers used to be stout against the run however that has changed in recent weeks.

Dallas is the number one rushing attack in the NFL and will look control the clock in this contest.

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The key to victory in this game is limiting the time the Steelers offense has to be on the field.

And Ezekiel Elliott is made for doing just that.

The Cowboys have been great at creating long drives that eat up the clock and this game should be no different.

The Steelers 3-4 defense will be put to the test.

Pittsburgh’s defensive unit will attempt to slow down the Cowboys running back as he is on his way to making history.

Dallas should simply run the ball down the Steelers’ throat.

And Pittsburgh will need to play the best football they have played all season if they hope to stop Zeke.

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

#4. Can the Steelers pass rush affect Dak Prescott?

The Cowboys rookie quarterback has faced a lot of adversity this season but has overcome it all pretty mightily.

This week he will get another challenge in another AFC North opponent except this time it is perhaps the best team in that division, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dak has already handled the pressure put on him by the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns defensive lines so the Steelers should be somewhat similar.

Dallas offensive line is a bit banged up but none of their immediate starters are expect to miss this game. This will pose a challenge for the Steelers 3-4 defensive scheme as they look to pressure Prescott.

Pittsburgh could use a lot of safety and cornerback blitzes to confuse the rookie early, or stack the box and force him to throw.

Anyway you look at it one glaring hole remains, the Steelers defense is not strong enough to stop the Dallas offense.

The Cowboys may not have the best defense in the NFL but they have shown that they can shut down some of the best wide receivers in this game, and can be stingy against the run.

There are enough playmakers on both sides of the ball for Dallas to take this game and to improve to 8-1.

If Dak was not phased by playing at Lambeau field against Aaron Rodgers, or playing at Washington against a hostile Redskins crowd, then he should continue to find a way to win in Pittsburgh.

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