Steelers vs. Cowboys: Matchups That Will Decide Interconference Showdown

Two of the NFL’s most storied franchises will be fighting for their playoff lives when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Dallas Cowboys, and neither team will struggle to find motivation in this exciting matchup.

Both the Steelers and the Cowboys are 7-6 and lodged in wild-card battles that will likely carry on until the final week of the season. A win in this game would be hugely beneficial to each team’s chances for a postseason berth, and a loss could be catastrophic. 

With 11 Super Bowl rings between these two franchises, fans have come to expect playoff trips from each of these teams.

Here are the key matchups that will decide which team moves closer to extending its season.

Pittsburgh Wide Receivers vs. Dallas Cornerbacks

There will be plenty of speed on the field when Pittsburgh is on offense. Both the Steelers wide receiving corps and the Dallas secondary are packed with explosive athletes. 

Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders will need to find space down the field in order to get off to a faster start than they did last week against the San Diego Chargers. Pittsburgh did not get in the end zone until the end of the third quarter and lost 34-24.

If Brandon Carr and the cornerbacks can have similar success against the Steelers wide outs, the crowd in Cowboys stadium will be thrilled. Morris Claiborne’s health will heavily affect the secondary; the rookie is questionable for the game with a concussion, according to ESPN Dallas’ Todd Archer.

Dallas’ defensive backs will be key to its ability to win this game, and being at full strength will be a significant boost. If a banged up Cowboys secondary is unable to stay with the speedy Steelers receivers, it will be a step towards another disappointing year in Big D.

Backfield Battle

The team that has more success in the running game will have a clear advantage in this game.

With DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer rushing on the edges for Dallas, Pittsburgh will need to run the ball effectively early in order to put these players—who have 19.5 combined sacks this season—on their heels. 

The Cowboys must use the same strategy to neutralize James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. DeMarco Murray’s return will be a huge boost to the offense, and he must have one of his best performances of the year.

The Steelers must use Jonathan Dwyer early, and if he is not finding space, the team should not hesitate to call on one of its other backs. Winning the battle in the trenches will be vital in this matchup.

Injured X-Factors

Each team has a player who has been hampered by injuries, but when healthy, is capable of changing a game.

The Steelers will be hoping that Troy Polamalu is able to be the playmaker and defensive force that he has been throughout his career after recently returning from a calf injury.  

Dallas would greatly benefit if Dez Bryant is able to play through pain after tearing ligaments in his finger last week. He is listed as questionable, according to ESPN Dallas’ Tim MacMahon, but he has delayed surgery in order to keep playing this season and will do everything possible to be on the field. 

If either of these players are able to make a significant impact on this game, it will massively improve their team’s chances to win and move one step closer to the playoffs.