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Todd Archer, ESPN staff writer
PITTSBURGH — When lightning lit up the sky outside Acressor Stadium, delaying the start of Sunday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, Dak Prescott had a message for his teammates.
“I was saying that before the game started, like we’re not going to forget this no matter what,” said Prescott, who ate a protein waffle and did some exercises while waiting. “With the delay, with everything that’s happened, it’s one of those games, I don’t care how long you play it, you’ll never forget it. I kept saying, ‘Let’s make it a memorable game.’ I think we did that through all the ups and downs and ebbs and flows.”
Prescott threw the game-winning touchdown pass — a 4-yarder to Jalen Tolbert — with 20 seconds left to give the Cowboys a decisive 20-17 victory over the Steelers. It has allowed the Cowboys (3-2) to stay above .500 and at the bottom of leaders Washington (4-1) in the NFC East. It was also the Cowboys’ third win on the road this season, marking their best start away from home since Prescott’s rookie year in 2016.
Additionally, this was head coach Mike McCarthy’s first regular season win against his hometown Steelers team. While McCarthy holds the trump card with his Super Bowl
The four matches were decided by 1, 7, 3 and 5 points.
“It feels great,” said McCarthy, who walked off the field with his parents, Joe and Elaine, into a group of family and friends. “It’s the first time I’ve been involved in a victory here. But — and I mean this — at the end of the day, it’s about the players. This is a players’ game. I’m fortunate that I’ve been a part of the NFL for a long time, and I have great respect for For this organization, but, yeah, this game is about the players who gave it their all.
After the victory, McCarthy received the match ball from the players. He said this was the first time he had received it in his career.
“This is a guy I know how I feel about,” Prescott said. “I love him. Great coach. He’s very proud to be from Pittsburgh. Greenfield is at that. And you hear that anytime anything comes up with references from that place. That’s why I had to go on a little tour (Saturday night) and see some of the stomping grounds he talked about,” he said. “And he painted that picture in my head. It was really special, visiting his parents’ house, spending time with him and them.”
It was not a perfect game by the Cowboys. Prescott turned the ball over three times with two interceptions and a fumble. Two of the turnovers came in the red zone, costing the Cowboys points. Your field goal attempt has been blocked. They were penalized 11 times for 87 yards.
But with 4:56 left to play, Prescott had a chance for his 23rd game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter while down or tied for his career-high.
“Composure is a huge strength of his,” McCarthy said of the quarterback who threw for 352 yards on 29-of-42 passing. “He’s the same guy every day. The way he works, the way he competes, yeah, he doesn’t bat an eye at mistakes.”
Prescott completed five of seven passes for 46 yards on the game-winning drive. He ran for 3 yards and, more importantly, recovered a fumble at the 4-yard line. After the Steelers called a timeout with 26 seconds left, McCarthy changed the personnel and formation for Prescott to add protection.
Tolbert, who started for the injured Brandin Cooks, made his way across the field with Deshaun Elliott on his hip but was able to cross the goal line for a pass from Prescott with 20 seconds left.
“I love being in it. We practice that a lot,” Prescott said. “You’re mad at yourself for passes and interceptions, but when I realize I’ve got the ball, four down with a chance to score, with enough time, plenty of time, that’s all I can ask for.”
The Cowboys entered the game without Cooks, Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and lost their top picks to knee injuries in the first half, left tackle Tyler Guyton and defensive end Marshawn Neyland.
Guyton’s absence prompted goalkeeper Tyler Smith to step in. When Zach Martin had to leave due to a cramp, the Cowboys had Brock Hoffman, Cooper Bibby and TJ Bass as their three interior offensive linemen.
On defense, the Cowboys were preparing their linebackers to play defensive end and had practice squad rookie Amani Oruwari starting at cornerback.
“I just think the resiliency of our football team was on display tonight,” McCarthy said.
