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Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH – As lightning lit up the sky outside Acrisure Stadium, delaying the start of Sunday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dak Prescott had a message for his teammates.
“I was talking before the game started, like we’re not going to forget about this no matter what,” said Prescott, who ate a protein waffle, stretched and did some exercises while waiting. “With the delay, with everything that happened, it’s one of those games that I don’t care how long you play, you’ll never forget. I just keep saying, ‘Let’s make it one to remember.’ I think we do in 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 win over the Steelers. It keeps the Cowboys (3-2) above .500 and 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 home start since Prescott’s rookie year in 2016.
Additionally, coach Mike McCarthy had his first regular season win against the Steelers, his hometown team. When McCarthy held his trump card in winning Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers as coach of the Green Bay Packers, the Steelers were the only team he had coached multiple times and gone undefeated (0-4).
The four games were finished with scores of 1, 7, 3 and 5 respectively.
“It feels good,” said McCarthy, who walked out of the stadium with his parents, Joe and Ellen, to a waiting group of family and friends. “This is the first time I’ve been a part of a victory here. But – and I mean this – at the end of the day, it’s about the players. It’s a players’ game. I’ve been blessed to be a part of the NFL for as long as I’ve respected this organization, but, yes, this game is about the players.
After the victory, McCarthy received the game ball from the player. He said it was the first he had received in his career.
“That’s a guy that, I mean, I know how I feel about him,” Prescott said. “Love him. Great head coach. He’s very proud to be from Pittsburgh. Greenfield at that time. And you hear any time there’s a reference from this place. So that’s why I got to go on a little tour (Saturday night). ) and see some background that being said, paint that picture in my head.
It was not a perfect game by the Cowboys. Prescott turned the ball over three times with two interceptions and a fumble. Two turnovers came in the red zone, costing the Cowboys points. His field goal attempt was blocked. They were penalized 11 times for 87 yards.
But with 4:56 left to play, Prescott had a chance to deliver the 23rd game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime of his career.
“Composure is a huge strength,” McCarthy said of the quarterback, who threw for 352 yards on 29-of-42 passing. “He’s the same person every day. The way he works, the way he competes, he doesn’t blink. He doesn’t think about mistakes.”
Prescott completed 5 of 7 passes for 46 yards in 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 personnel groups and formations so that Prescott would increase his protection.
Tolbert, starting for the injured Brandin Cooks, ran across the field with DeShon Elliott on his hip but made it through the goal line to pass Prescott with 20 seconds left.
“I like what we have. We practice a lot,” Prescott said. “You’re angry at yourself for turnovers, for interceptions, but when I realize I have the ball, down 4 with a chance to score, with enough time, a lot of time, that’s all I can get.”
The Cowboys entered the game without Cooks and defensive ends Micah Parsons (high ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and lost the top draft pick to a knee injury in the first half, left tackle Tyler Guyton and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
Guyton’s presence moved guard Tyler Smith to tackle. When Zack Martin had to leave due to cramping, the Cowboys had Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe and TJ Bass as three interior offensive linemen.
On defense, the Cowboys are preparing linebackers to play defensive back and have practice-squad elevation Amani Oruwariye starting at cornerback.
“I just thought,” McCarthy said, “the resilience of our football team showed tonight.”
