The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers are set to renew their decades-old rivalry on Sunday night. Both teams have been cornerstone franchises of the NFL for a very long time, and this matchup promises to be an exciting one.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys come into this game with a 2-2 record after defeating the New York Giants last week. However, their offense has been out of rhythm for most of the season. The running game has been particularly problematic, producing only 301 yards through four games, averaging just 75 yards per game. The running back by committee approach isn’t working, and some believe it’s time to give Dalvin Cook a chance to be the primary back.

Quarterback Dak Prescott will have to make do without wide receiver Brandon Cooks, who is out. This leaves Prescott with limited options on the outside, relying heavily on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has been inconsistent this season. Tight end Jake Ferguson has been a reliable target, catching at least six passes in the last two games.

Defensively, the Cowboys are facing significant challenges. Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is on the injured list, and All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is out with a high ankle sprain. Both cornerbacks, Trevon Diggs and Caelon Carson, are also dealing with injuries. The defense will need to step up to stop the Steelers’ run game and quarterback Justin Fields, who is a dynamic runner.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers, on the other hand, are coming off a loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Their offense ranks 22nd overall, with a strong rushing attack ranked 10th in the league. The passing game, however, has been less effective, ranking 22nd. Wide receiver George Pickens has been a standout, ranking in the top 20 in the league in targets and receptions despite drawing heavy interest from opposing defenses each week.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line is one of the youngest in the league, and they will face a Dallas front missing key players due to injuries. This could provide opportunities for the Steelers to exploit the Cowboys’ compromised pass rush.

Defensively, the Steelers are one of the best in the league, ranking 2nd overall. They have a strong pass defense and a solid run defense, which will be crucial in containing the Cowboys’ struggling offense.

Key Matchups:

Dallas’ Offensive Line vs. Pittsburgh’s Defensive Front: With the Cowboys’ offensive line struggling and the Steelers’ defensive front being one of the best in the league, this matchup could determine the outcome of the game.

Dak Prescott vs. Pittsburgh’s Secondary: Prescott will need to find ways to connect with his receivers despite the injuries and the strong Pittsburgh secondary.

Steelers’ Run Game vs. Dallas’ Defense: The Steelers’ strong rushing attack will look to exploit the injuries in the Cowboys’ defense.

Prediction

This game is expected to be a close one, with both teams dealing with injuries and inconsistencies. However, the Steelers’ strong defense and effective run game might give them the edge over the Cowboys.

Dallas is currently 16-14 in all time matchups against the Steelers, and the last time these teams played, Pittsburgh handed the Cowboys a loss.