Dallas Cowboys

NFL Week 10 Preview: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) reacts to breaking up a pass in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

In a slight twist of irony, we transition from an election selecting America’s President to a Sunday afternoon showdown of arguably two of the most popular NFL teams in America.

Sitting in first place of the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys (7-1) are on the road for the second week in the row as they descend upon the AFC North, this time to tussle with the 4-4 Pittsburgh Steelers. If you are not an NFL history buff, these two franchises have considerable postseason history with both teams meeting in Super Bowl 10, 13, and 30 with Pittsburgh emerging victorious in two of the three contests.

But that’s deep in the past and presently, the Cowboys will enter Heinz Field in Pittsburgh with hopes of continuing their impressive play on the season while the Steelers are hovering around a .500 record as a result of a three-game losing streak. Can Pittsburgh find their winning ways once again or will the Cowboys pick up another convincing win on their successful 2016 season? Here is the preview and prediction.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) carries the ball during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Cowboys won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys Summary

Everywhere you look, the talk around the NFL has mainly been the surprising play of the Cowboys in spite of their circumstances. A pair of rookie starters in quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott have powered the Cowboys to their 7-1 record and placement on top of the NFC. Elliott leads the NFL in rushing with 891 yards plus seven touchdowns. He has rushed for at least 83 in seven straight games. Part of his success goes to what many call the best offensive line in the NFL. Behind the blocking of three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith and two-time Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin, the Cowboys have the #1 rushing offense in the NFL at 165.2 yards per game.

While Elliott is justifying being drafted 4th overall, Prescott is proving to be a 4th round steal by tossing for 2,020 yards, 12 touchdowns, two interceptions, four rushing touchdowns and is coming off his most efficient game of the season against Cleveland by completing 77% of his passes, for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The offense has dealt with injuries to star receiver Dez Bryant but have gotten big plays out of slot receiver Cole Beasley and tight end Jason Witten and averaging 27.9 points per game, fourth in the NFL.

The defense has played quite well despite dealing with a notable amount of injuries as well as key suspensions. A unit that is 10th overall in total defense, it is led by inside linebacker Sean Lee, who leads the team in tackles with 48, and has gotten quality play from strong safety Barry Church, free safety Byron Jones, and defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford.

Crawford leads the team in sacks with 3.5 and his services along with defensive ends Jack Crawford and Demarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys are sixth in the league in rushing defense and have held six of their eight opponents this season to under 100 yards rushing.

Aug 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers James Harrison (92) and Ryan Shazier (50) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) line up against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of their game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers Summary

Riding high at 4-1 in early October, a current three-game losing streak has the team reeling at this point with four road games in their next five games overall awaiting. Before that task approaches, head coach Mike Tomlin and his Steelers must take down the red-hot Dallas Cowboys.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is steadily returning back from a meniscus injury that he suffered in a week six road loss to the Miami Dolphins. His 264 yard outing against Baltimore last week was one that he may want to forget. Big Ben is tied for fifth in the league in touchdown passes with 17 with six of those touchdowns going to All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown. Brown is tied for fourth in the league in catches with 55 along with a few fines from league office for his creative touchdown celebrations.

Surprisingly, the Steelers are 25th in the league in rushing at 96.0 yards per game. Still, the team has one of the most talented back in the league in Le’Veon Bell, who has yet to record a rushing touchdown this season. Bell has contributed to the passing game with 36 catches.

A staple in Steelers history is outstanding linebacker play and this season, that rhetoric remains true for the most part. Inside linebackers Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier are the two leaders of the defense and have combined for 58 tackles on the season. To get to the real strength of the defense, look no further than defensive ends Cameron Hayward and Stephon Tuitt. Their ability to stay healthy and active plays a major part in the Steelers ranking 13th in run defense at 99.6 yards per game.

Oct 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls a play in the huddle against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It took me a little while to come to terms with this prediction and here’s why.

A three-game losing streak for Pittsburgh has the faithful panicking a little and that feeling is justifiable. Dealing with injuries, iffy defensive play, and inconsistencies on offense can be a handful for any team. Staring across the field at a 7-1 Cowboys team with the best running game in the league is something that Steelers players and fans probably could do without at the moment.

But if there is one team that can turn things around, it’s a veteran-led Steelers teams that still has enough talent to win a few games with a Super Bowl winning quarterback, a top two wide receiver, a top five running back, a motivated head coach, and one of the toughest venues in football backing them.