3 reasons the Steelers will win in their Week 9 Matchup vs. Cowboys

Just a year ago, the Cowboys had the best offensive line in football

Times have changed for Dallas. 5-time all-pro center Travis Frederick retired after 2019. Then, all-pro left tackle Tyron Smith had season-ending neck surgery for an injury that he had been trying to battle through, before their Week 4 loss to the Browns which saw a setback to his recovery. All-pro Zack Martin is still there. However, La’el Collins, who was the starting right tackle, is on IR, and Brandon Knight, who was the top reserve and had been replacing Tyron Smith, is also on IR. They are on their 3rd option at left tackle and that is not who you want lining up against Bud Dupree. A backup right tackle is just as bad of a matchup against a defensive player of the year candidate, T.J. Watt.

This is not the type of offensive line you want to protect a quarterback to the caliber of Garrett Gilbert, who quite frankly could use all the help he could get against such a staunch defense like this. Not only do you have to worry about protecting your quarterback, but you also need a good offensive line to push the line of scrimmage in the run game. Without all-pro Travis Frederick, even the interior of that line looks significantly weaker regardless of having all-pro Zack Martin in at guard.

I’m not saying that this will be a 7 sack feast for the best front 7 in the NFL, yet it could be. Dallas will want to run the ball, however as Pittsburgh grows its lead, they will have to throw it. The Cowboys have a ton of talent at the receiver position. However, it won’t be enough. They are fielding a rather inexperienced quarterback going up against one of the trickiest defenses in the league. It is not going to be pretty once the Steelers start to pull ahead.