Following a tough Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Steelers are eager to bounce back in their upcoming Sunday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, while not as dominant as in recent seasons, are dealing with key injuries to players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Brandin Cooks.
Despite those setbacks, the Cowboys still have plenty of talent, making this prime-time clash between two storied franchises a must-watch. The Steelers will need a solid game plan to handle what remains of Dallas' roster and get back on track.
WR, Ceedee Lamb
One of the league’s top wide receivers is set to give the Steelers defense a serious challenge. After Joey Porter Jr. struggled against Michael Pittman, the upcoming matchup with CeeDee Lamb is only going to be tougher.
The Steelers desperately need Porter to rebound and prevent Lamb from taking over the game. Last week’s performance by Porter and the defense was nothing short of embarrassing, and now, with the spotlight on them in a national game, it’s time for them to prove why they’re considered one of the NFL’s elite defenses.
QB, Dak Prescott
Despite the criticism Dak Prescott often receives, he's still one of the top quarterbacks in the league. In fact, he'll be the most talented QB the Steelers have faced so far this season. After allowing a quarterback to carve them up last week, the Steelers can't afford to let it happen again. They struggled to consistently pressure Joe Flacco, and this defense's strength is their pass rush. To stop Dak, they need to dial up the pressure, make him uncomfortable, and create opportunities for turnovers.
G, Zack Martin
Over the course of his career, he’s been one of the top guards in the league. While age may have caused a slight dip in his performance, he remains a cornerstone of the offensive line. Meanwhile, Cameron Heyward has had a fantastic start to the 2024 season, and watching these two veterans go head-to-head will make for an exciting matchup.
TE, Jake Ferguson
With Brandin Cooks sidelined, the Cowboys are left without a reliable secondary threat at wide receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. This puts added pressure on Jake Ferguson, who will likely play a key role in the passing game. As one of the more promising young tight ends, Ferguson's ability to create mismatches will be crucial. Meanwhile, the Steelers' linebackers, coming off a subpar performance last week, will need to step up and contain him.
CB, Trevon Diggs
Justin Fields needs to be extra cautious against a ball-hawking cornerback like Diggs, who’s racked up 19 interceptions in his five-year career. Fields has done well protecting the ball but can't afford to take chances around Diggs, who will likely be shadowing Pickens.
While Pickens has won most of his matchups this season, he’ll be even more critical with the passing game improving and other receivers not producing much. Expect him to be the go-to target, but he’ll face a tough challenge with Diggs lurking.
K, Brandon Aubrey
The best kicker in the league, with a range that makes no kick off-limits, is an underrated offensive weapon. Anything from midfield is within his reach, and the Steelers can’t afford to give up field position to someone like him.
For a team like the Steelers, where points are often hard to come by, consistently allowing a kicker to put up three points isn’t a sustainable path to success. While Acrisure Stadium is notoriously tough to kick in, the Steelers defense has to limit the Cowboys' opportunities and dominate the field position game to keep Aubrey from racking up field goals.