PITTSBURGH – As lightning lit up the sky outside Acrisure Stadium, delaying the start of Sunday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, Dak Prescott had a message for his teammates.

“I said it before the game started, like we’re not going to forget this one,” said Prescott, who ate an egg white waffle, stretched and did some exercises while waiting. “With the delays, with everything that’s happened, it’s one of those games. I don’t care how long you play, you’ll never forget it. I just kept saying, ‘Let’s make it one to remember .’ I think we did that through all the ups, downs, ebbs and flows.”

Prescott threw the winning touchdown pass – a 4-yarder to receiver Jalen Tolbert – with 20 seconds left to give the Cowboys a crucial 20-17 victory against the Steelers. It allowed the Cowboys (3-2) to stay above .500 and stay on the tail of the Washington Commanders (4-1) in the NFC East. It was also the Cowboys’ third win of the season, marking their best start away from home since Prescott’s rookie year in 2016.

Plus, it was coach Mike McCarthy’s first regular-season win against his hometown team, the Steelers. While McCarthy holds the trump card with a win in Super Bowl

The four games were settled with 1, 7, 3 and 5 points.

“It feels great,” said McCarthy, who walked out of the stadium with his parents, Joe and Ellen, to a waiting group of family and friends. “It’s the first time I’ve been part of a victory here. But – and I mean it – ultimately it’s all about the players. This is a player game. I’m blessed to have I have tremendous respect for this organization, but hey, this game is about the players.”

After the victory, McCarthy received the match ball from the players. He said it was the first he received in his career.

“That’s a guy that I mean, I know how I feel about him,” Prescott said. “I love him. Great head coach. He’s very proud to be from Pittsburgh. Greenfield too. And you hear it every time something comes out with references from this place. So that’s why I had to go on a little tour ( Saturday night) ) and seeing some of the stomping grounds he talked about, paint that picture in my head. It was very special, I got to go by his parents house and spend some time with him and them.

It wasn’t a perfect game for the Cowboys. Prescott turned the ball over three times with two interceptions and a fumble. Two of the turnovers came in the red zone, costing the Cowboys points. They had a field goal attempt blocked. They were penalized 11 times for 87 yards.

But with 4:56 to play, Prescott had a chance to deliver the 23rd game-winning drive of his career in the fourth quarter or overtime.

“Self-control is a huge strength of his,” McCarthy said of his quarterback, who threw for 352 yards on 29-of-42 passing. “He’s the same guy every day. The way he works, the way he competes, yeah, he doesn’t blink. He doesn’t dwell on mistakes.”

Prescott completed 5 of 7 passes for 46 yards on the winning drive. He ran for 3 yards and, most importantly, recovered a fumble at the 4-yard line. After the Steelers called a timeout with 26 seconds left, McCarthy changed the personnel group and formation so that Prescott would have added extra protection.

Tolbert, starting for an injured Brandin Cooks, made his way across the field with DeShon Elliott on his hip but managed to cross the goal line for Prescott’s pass with 20 seconds left.

“I love being in that. We practice it a lot,” Prescott said. “You’re mad at yourself for the turnovers, the interceptions, but when I realize I’ve got the ball, four down and a chance to score, with enough time, enough time, that’s all I can ask for.”

The Cowboys entered the game without Cooks and defensive ends Micah Parsons (high ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and lost their top draft picks to knee injuries in the first half, left tackle Tyler Guyton and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.

Guyton’s absence prompted guard Tyler Smith to tackle. When Zack Martin had to leave due to cramps, the Cowboys had Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe and TJ Bass as their three offensive linemen.

On defense, the Cowboys were preparing linebackers to play defense and had practice squad Amani Oruwariye start at cornerback.

“I just think,” McCarthy said, “the resiliency of our football team showed tonight.”