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PITTSBURGH – Few rivalries are as deep-rooted as the one between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s downright criminal that the two storied NFL franchises only meet once every ten years these days – most recently on Sunday night in week 5 as the Terrible Towels were waving around.

After splitting their first four games with a 2-2 record, the Cowboys defense hoped to take home their first two-game winning streak, but the absence of both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence due to injury loomed large up for the team. defensive unit against the improved play of Justin Fields.

Dak Prescott also came in short-handed, with Brandin Cooks moved to injured reserve this week, forcing play on younger wide receivers as they try to help CeeDee Lamb.

There was at least one who went the extra mile in that regard, and a few others who left it all on the field in a nail-biter at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday Night Football.

To be honest, it was one of the most impressive outings for Dowdle. No, it wasn’t a 200-yard affair for the veteran running back, but when he got the ball, he cooked with it. To that point, he entered the fourth quarter averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 11 carries, causing many Steelers defenders to miss tackles in the process of converting and keeping the chains moving as the struggling offense of the Cowboys needed this most – add a receiving attack. touchdown to start the fourth quarter, giving Dallas a 13-10 lead.

The reason the Cowboys signed Joseph was to add physicality and depth to the interior of the defensive line and against the Steelers he showed exactly what that looks like. He also put some grit on film, an illegal hands-to-face penalty on the Steelers’ second drive of the game, acquitting himself by demolishing his blocker on the same drive and sacking not only Justin Fields, but a fumble to force. It was recovered by the Steelers, but Joseph sent a very real message as he continued to improve week after week in Dallas.

No Micah Parsons. No DeMarcus Lawrence. No Marshawn Kneeland. This made Chauncey Golston step up in a major way, and he more than played his part in helping the defense make it a long day for Fields – on whom he was called a penalty for hitting the quarterback, who comically considering it was a comic character, turned it on its head. terrible call for a damn good football game. Golston was also effective on defense, helping Najee Harris and Co. regularly get into trouble.

In the absence of Brandin Cooks, the question was answered as to who among the young wide receivers not named CeeDee Lamb would step up, at least for this week. It was Jalen Tolbert who stepped up more often than not, mixing timely catches with catches that turned into chunk plays more than once. Tolbert led the team in receiving yards and receptions late in the fourth quarter — a testament to his ability to become what the Cowboys hope he can become.

It was also Ferguson who helped carry the load in the receiving game, as is often the case with Pro Bowl tight ends. He was right behind Tolbert in carrying the load in receiving yards and receptions as the game neared its end, and was a crucial part of why the Cowboys were able to move the chains more than once. He did everything he could to put Dallas in the win column on Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

He hasn’t appeared in any games this season, and this was as close as he’s gotten to it in his young NFL career. Luepke’s statistic won’t blow your or your grandmother’s cat away, but the movie will. The young fullback was effective as a blocker, running back and receiver out of the backfield. The Steelers were lulled because he wasn’t used last for most of the game, but that was their fault. So when the Cowboys needed Luepke on 1st and 10 from the Pittsburgh 22-yard line with 1:01 left on the fourth quarter clock, Dak Prescott threw it to him and was rewarded with an 18-yard gain that put the Cowboys within 18 yards came. breath from a walk-off touchdown.

Resistance. That’s the word of the day for Prescott. He didn’t play great football and played bad football at times. But a go ahead touchdown after securing a lost fumble from Dowdle for the chance to do it? PRICELESS.