Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) – Dallas Cowboys (3-2): 17-13
At the end of the night, at the end of the suspense! In a match delayed by almost 90 minutes by rain, the Cowboys snatched victory with 20 seconds remaining on a reception from Jalen Tolbert (7 rec, 87 yards, 1 TD). And on the fourth attempt! Difficult to go further.
Long contained by Pittsburgh's excellent defense, Dak Prescott (29/42, 352 yards, 2 TDs, 2 int) and his squad had to wait until the last quarter to score their first touchdown and lead 13 to 10. But when he had the break point, the quarterback forced a deep ball, intercepted by Joey Porter.
Pittsburgh took the opportunity to respond with a touchdown from Pat Freiermuth (3 rec, 22 yards, 1 TD) to get back in front (17-13). But the Cowboys had the merit of not giving up, with Prescott in the lead.
Three lost balls? He responds with an offensive of 70 yards and almost 5 minutes. To finally find Tolbert on a fourth attempt on which everything depended.
The Steelers too strong for the Cowboys
Nothing new under the gray of Pittsburgh. The Steelers have an exceptional defense. In the first half, Dallas still didn't get stuck. Either in the last yards or by losing the ball. Dak Prescott drops a ball on a sack. Then he was intercepted at the gates of the end zone while he had advanced his troops 70 yards.
The results are slim after half-time: two small kicks. CeeDee Lamb (5 rec, 62 yards) is pretty well limited. And it is Rico Dowdle (20 races, 87 yards) who is called upon to tire out the opposing defense.
Problem for the Steelers? Nothing new on the attack side either, with Justin Fields (15/27, 121 yards, 2 TDs) and runners still limited. Pittsburgh skates and is still trailing 6-3 at the break. In four possessions, they gained only 75 yards.
Justin Fields, too little, too late
The first touchdown of the game is for Connor Heyward, on a small reception. Pittsburgh is finally ahead, and the special teams join in the fun, blocking a Brandon Aubrey field goal.
Except that Justin Fields and his group will miss the opportunities to kill the match. The Steelers punt, and Dallas responds with its first touchdown of the game (10-13). New punt after only three attempts for Pittsburgh… The defense does its best with a new interception, and Freiermuth puts the Steelers back in front (17-13), but that will not be enough, with Tolbert's touchdown in the last seconds which crucify the locals.
Attrition, the Cowboys ended up getting the better of the Steelers defense. They had just enough time. And the victory is rather logical. If Dallas lost balls, the Texan franchise still dominated the time of possession, the number of yards gained (445 to 226) and showed great efficiency on third attempt, with a 9/15, compared to 3/12 for Pittsburgh. .
With the same record of 3 wins for 2 losses, the two franchises are launched into a race for the playoffs which promises to be difficult, with clear limits on the Pittsburgh side, and the Cowboys who are still looking for consistency.
