Introduction
The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers faced off in a crucial Week 6 matchup, both teams entering the game with a 3-2 record. The Cowboys, undefeated on the road with a 3-0 away record, were looking to continue their strong performances, while the Steelers hoped to bounce back from a less-than-ideal home record of 1-1. This game carried significance for both teams as they sought to stay competitive within their respective divisions. The contest proved to be a hard-fought battle, with both teams showing moments of brilliance. However, the Cowboys emerged victorious, winning 20-17 in a closely contested game. Dak Prescott led the way with a solid passing performance, while the Steelers, despite some strong defensive plays, couldn’t find enough offensive rhythm to overcome the Cowboys. In this article, we’ll break down the key player stats and team statistics that shaped the outcome of the game.
Team Statistics Breakdown
First Downs
- Dallas Cowboys: 25
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 17
The Cowboys controlled the game in terms of first downs, with a clear advantage in both passing and rushing first downs. The Cowboys recorded 14 passing first downs, compared to just 7 for the Steelers, and 9 rushing first downs to the Steelers’ 6. This allowed the Cowboys to sustain more drives and maintain possession for longer periods, keeping the Steelers’ offense off the field.
Passing First Downs
- Dallas Cowboys: 14
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 7
Dak Prescott’s accuracy and ability to move the ball down the field were crucial in generating first downs through the air. The Cowboys’ passing attack proved to be far more effective than the Steelers’ aerial game, which struggled to make significant gains throughout the game.
Rushing First Downs:
- Dallas Cowboys: 9
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 6
Both teams were fairly even in their rushing performance, gaining 3.5 yards per carry. The Cowboys managed to convert more of their rushing attempts into first downs, with 9 compared to the Steelers’ 6. The Cowboys’ balanced offense, which mixed the run and pass effectively, helped them keep the Steelers’ defense on their heels.
1st Downs from Penalties
- Dallas Cowboys: 2
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 4
Penalties were a factor in the game, with both teams suffering costly penalties that gave the opposing side first downs. However, the Steelers committed more penalties (8 for 50 yards) compared to the Cowboys’ 11 penalties for 87 yards. Despite the Cowboys’ larger penalty yardage, their ability to recover and maintain control of the game allowed them to overcome these mistakes.
Efficiency and Execution
3rd Down Efficiency:
- Dallas Cowboys: 9-15 (60%)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-12 (25%)
One of the key differences in this game was the Cowboys’ efficiency on third down. Converting 60% of their third downs allowed them to sustain drives and control possession of the ball. The Steelers, on the other hand, struggled mightily on third down, converting only 3 out of 12 attempts (25%). This inability to extend drives limited their offensive production.
4th Down Efficiency:
- Dallas Cowboys: 1-1 (100%)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-2 (100%)
Both teams were successful on their fourth-down attempts, with the Cowboys converting 1 of 1 and the Steelers converting both of their attempts. Although the Steelers had a higher number of successful fourth downs, their inability to capitalize on other offensive opportunities, particularly on third downs, played a major role in their loss.
Total Plays:
- Dallas Cowboys: 75
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 57
The Cowboys ran 18 more plays than the Steelers, which indicates their control of the game. This increased number of plays allowed the Cowboys more opportunities to gain yardage and maintain offensive momentum. The Steelers, in contrast, struggled to move the ball consistently, leading to fewer opportunities to score.
Total Yards:
- Dallas Cowboys: 445
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 226
The Cowboys dominated in terms of total yardage, outgaining the Steelers by a wide margin of 219 yards. This gap highlights the disparity in offensive production, with the Cowboys finding success both through the air and on the ground, while the Steelers struggled to generate significant yardage in either phase of the game.
Passing Game Performance
Passing Yards:
- Dallas Cowboys: 336
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 134
Dak Prescott had a standout performance, throwing for 336 yards and helping the Cowboys maintain offensive pressure. The Steelers’ passing game, led by Ben Roethlisberger, was unable to generate similar results, as they only managed 134 passing yards. This inability to stretch the field with the passing game ultimately hurt the Steelers, who struggled to score.
Completion/Attempt:
- Dallas Cowboys: 29/42
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 16/28
The Cowboys’ passing game was efficient, completing 29 of 42 attempts. Prescott’s ability to spread the ball across various receivers allowed the Cowboys to exploit the Steelers’ defense. Roethlisberger, on the other hand, completed just 16 of his 28 passes, and his lack of deep throws kept the Steelers’ offense from gaining significant ground.
Yards per Pass:
- Dallas Cowboys: 7.6
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 4.3
The Cowboys averaged 7.6 yards per pass, which shows they were able to make significant gains on each passing attempt. In contrast, the Steelers averaged just 4.3 yards per pass, reflecting their struggles to move the ball down the field and complete longer throws.
Interceptions Thrown:
- Dallas Cowboys: 2
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 0
The Cowboys committed two turnovers via interceptions, which could have been costly had the Steelers capitalized on those mistakes. However, the Steelers were unable to take advantage of these turnovers, and their lack of offensive firepower meant the turnovers didn’t hurt the Cowboys as much as they might have.
Sacks and Yards Lost:
- Dallas Cowboys: 2 sacks for 16 yards
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 sacks for 16 yards
Both teams faced some pressure from the opposing defenses, with each quarterback being sacked twice for a loss of 16 yards. Despite the sacks, both quarterbacks were able to recover and continue executing their offenses.
Rushing Game Performance
Rushing Yards:
- Dallas Cowboys: 109
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 92
The Cowboys finished with 109 rushing yards on 31 attempts, while the Steelers managed just 92 yards on 26 attempts. Both teams averaged 3.5 yards per carry, but the Cowboys had more success with their running game, allowing them to keep the Steelers’ defense honest.
Rushing Attempts:
- Dallas Cowboys: 31
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 26
The Cowboys ran the ball five more times than the Steelers, helping them control the clock and maintain offensive balance. This allowed the Cowboys to wear down the Steelers’ defense, while the Steelers’ running game was not effective enough to make up for their struggles in the passing game.
Yards per Rush:
- Dallas Cowboys: 3.5
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 3.5
Both teams averaged the same yards per carry, indicating that neither team was able to dominate the ground game. However, the Cowboys’ ability to mix in the run with the pass kept the Steelers’ defense on edge and prevented them from loading up against the pass.
Red Zone Efficiency
Red Zone (Made-Att):
- Dallas Cowboys: 1-4
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-2
The Cowboys struggled in the red zone, only converting 1 of their 4 opportunities into a touchdown. In contrast, the Steelers were perfect in the red zone, converting both of their opportunities into touchdowns. Despite this, the Steelers’ limited number of red zone chances did not give them enough opportunities to capitalize on their efficiency.
Penalties and Turnovers
Penalties:
- Dallas Cowboys: 11-87 yards
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-50 yards
Penalties were an issue for both teams, but the Cowboys were penalized more frequently, with 11 penalties for 87 yards. These penalties caused some setbacks and stalled their drives at times. The Steelers, with 8 penalties for 50 yards, also had issues with discipline, but they were penalized less than the Cowboys.
Turnovers:
- Dallas Cowboys: 3
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 1
Turnovers played a significant role in the game. The Cowboys committed three turnovers, including two interceptions and one fumble lost, but were fortunate that the Steelers were unable to capitalize on these mistakes. The Steelers only had one turnover, a fumble, which they also failed to turn into points.
Conclusion
The Dallas Cowboys’ 20-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers was marked by a strong performance from Dak Prescott and a well-balanced offensive attack. Despite committing three turnovers, the Cowboys were able to control the game with their passing game, third-down efficiency, and time of possession. The Steelers, while efficient in the red zone, were unable to generate enough yardage and offensive consistency to mount a comeback.
The Cowboys’ ability to execute on critical third downs, their solid rushing attack, and their efficient passing game were the main factors that led to their win. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ struggles in the passing game, combined with a lack of offensive firepower, meant they couldn’t capitalize on the Cowboys’ mistakes. Moving forward, the Cowboys will focus on improving their red zone efficiency and reducing penalties, while the Steelers will need to find more consistency in their offensive game plan if they want to remain competitive.
FAQS
1. Who won the Dallas Cowboys vs Steelers match?
The Dallas Cowboys won 20-17 in a hard-fought contest against the Steelers.
2. How many passing yards did Dak Prescott throw?
Dak Prescott threw for 336 yards in the game.
3. What was the Steelers’ total rushing yards?
The Pittsburgh Steelers rushed for 92 yards in the match.
4. Did Ben Roethlisberger throw any interceptions?
No, Ben Roethlisberger did not throw any interceptions during the game.
5. How many penalties did the Cowboys commit?
The Cowboys committed 11 penalties for 87 yards.
