Photo by Andre Odums/ossports
Arlington, Tx – Dallas won the last meeting, 35-30, on November 13, 2016.
Possibly, getting even played a role in Pittsburgh’s motivation, but remaining undefeated conveys clout toward home-field advantage entering the postseason.
Today’s outcome tilted toward the visitors despite a moment in the second quarter when Ben Roethlisberger left the game with a knee injury. Still, Roethlisberger returned at the start of the third quarter and led the Steelers to a hard-fought, 24-19 win over Dallas on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
With 4:11 remaining, the decisive possession began at the Steelers 21. The veteran quarterback took over, throwing two key completions; A nine-yarder to receiver Chase Claypool at the 45 and a 32-yard strike to receiver Dionte Johnson, who broke free from a defender, racing down to the Cowboys 32. A couple of plays later, tight end Eric Ebron grabbed a quick pass from Roethlisberger, turned upfield, and hurdled cornerback Saivion Smith to reach the end zone.
That put the Steelers (8-0) ahead for keeps, 24-19. The drive also benefited when DeMarcus Lawrence absorbed a penalty for roughing Roethlisberger, who concluded 29-of-42 with 306 yards. That gave the Steelers a new set of downs at its 36-yard line.
However, a pair of opportunities presented itself as Dallas had 2:14 to work with. Still, the drive would fizzle out when Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward sacked Gilbert on fourth and eight.
Chase Claypool led the Steelers in receiving with eight catches and 69 yards, and JuJu Smith-Schuster grabbed six for 93 yards.
The Cowboys’ last possession came with 38 seconds to play after defensive end Randy Gregory dropped Steelers running back James Connor for a four-yard loss on fourth and one to force a turnover on downs with 38 seconds left.
Dallas (2-7) drove from its 19 as Gilbert rolled to his left, avoiding the pressure, and threw a dart to CeeDee Lamb at Pittsburgh’s 49. A few plays later, Michael Gallup reeled in a catch at the 29 as Dallas rushed to the scrimmage line, where Gilbert spiked the ball with seven seconds left. On the next play, Steelers’ safety Minkah Fitzpatrick deflected a pass in the end zone as time expired.
Gilbert passed for 243 yards on 21-38-1.
The drastic finish took on a different meaning at the opening of the contest.
Early on, Gilbert guided the Cowboys on an 85-yard frame where Greg Zuerlein nailed a 38-yard field goal with 3:55 left in the first quarter.
After a brief period, the Cowboys defense supported its offense.
Lawrence and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore came up with back-to-back stops in the backfield. Dropping Connor four yards behind the scrimmage line followed a finish that watched running back Benny Snell, Jr. lose two yards at the 19. stop
The Steelers penetrated Dallas territory at the 35, where it went for a first down facing fourth and one. But Gregory stopped Snell for no gain at the 35.
It kept the fuel-burning as Dallas turned it into points when Gilbert rolled right and found CeeDee Lamb open in the end zone to increase its lead,10-0.
After another stop, cornerback C. J. Goodwin returned a punt to the Pitt 31 following a misdirection trick play. Three plays later, Zuerlein booted his second field goal, a 44-yarder, to push Dallas’ lead, 13-0 with 3:46 remaining in the second quarter.
Finally, the Steelers put together a 75-yard nine-play drive as Roethlisberger threw a strike to receiver James Washington with 1:10 remaining in the second quarter, cutting Dallas’ lead, 10-6. The extra-point kick failed.
Before halftime, Chris Boswell nailed a 59-yard field goal, slicing the Cowboys lead, 10-9 with no time left in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Dallas adds to its lead with a 45-yard field goal, 16-9.
Just as it did in the first half, the Cowboys defense set the tone in the second half. It allowed Zuerlein to net his third field goal of the day, a 39-yarder. Cowboys lead, 19-9 with 2:13 left in the third quarter.
But Roethlisberger found his groove on the Steelers’ second drive of the third quarter. He threw two passes of twenty yards to JuJu Smith-Schuster, which produced a first down at the Dallas 35. Later on the same drive, Roethlisberger threw a dart to Smith-Schuster at the four where he battled his way into the end zone, trimming the score, 19-15. Defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford blocked the extra point.
A third-quarter filled with big plays watches Goodwin return the kickoff 64 yards to the Pittsburgh 31. But the turn of events continued as Fitzpatrick intercepted Gilbert in the end zone and returned the ball to the eight-yard line. But a personal foul on Steelers’ safety Terrell Edmunds moved the ball half the distance to the Pittsburgh one.
Roethlisberger used quick passes to guide the Steelers into field goal range, where Boswell drilled a 43 yarder to draw within one, 19-18 with 7:11 left.
The slow but significant rally put the Steelers right where it needed to come away with the victory.