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3 things to know about Pittsburgh Steelers Week 9 matchup vs. Cowboys

By Casey Sadekoski

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Center Travis Frederick #72 of the Dallas Cowboys looks across the line of scrimmage at defensive lineman Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Heinz Field on November 13, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 35-30. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Center Travis Frederick #72 of the Dallas Cowboys looks across the line of scrimmage at defensive lineman Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Heinz Field on November 13, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 35-30. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

The offense will want to start off on a good note this week.

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense will have to help their defense with defending the run. They will more than likely want the ball first, and they will want to jump out to an early lead. If they want to make the defense’s job easy, then they have to make Dallas play from behind. If they jump up to a 2 possession lead in the first quarter, then Dallas will have to rely on Garrett Gilbert to win the game for them. I am not going to dismiss the Cowboys passing attack just yet. They still have a plethora of wide receivers to throw to and this includes the rookie star, CeeDee Lamb.

I would still rather take my chances against the Cowboys by making them throw the ball. You have a guy who entered the NFL in 2014 and has been in and out of it for the majority of his career. He wasn’t even on a team in 2015-2017 and has only played in 6 games in his entire career, none of them were starts. That is the quarterback they are choosing to field in this game. Maybe, they are seeing something we haven’t been able to see yet. However, if I am the Steelers I would rather force him to have to throw the ball then let them hang around in the game with one of the premier rushers in the entire league.

Pittsburgh has to start off this game as they did in Week 7 against the Titans. If they get the lead quick, then they can really get after an inexperienced quarterback behind a battered offensive line that is filled with injuries. Pittsburgh should look to get a 2-possession lead quickly, then control the time of possession and keep their defense fresh throughout this game. If they can do that, then it should be an easy win for the Steelers the whole way through. Even if they don’t finish in the endzone on every drive if they can possess it for at least 7 minutes a time and end it in field goals after the original lead is established they will keep the running game in Dallas’ back pocket.

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