Dak Prescott/ Dallas Cowboys/ Pittsburgh Steelers/ NFL game highlights/ game-winning touchdown/ Jalen Tolbert/ Newslooks/ PITTSBURGH/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In a nail-biter finish, Dak Prescott led the Dallas Cowboys to a 20-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a last-second touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert. Prescott, despite turnovers, rallied the Cowboys downfield for a 15-play, 70-yard drive to secure their second straight win.
Cowboys vs. Steelers Showdown: Quick Looks
- Final TD Pass: Prescott finds Tolbert with 20 seconds left, securing a 20-17 win.
- Prescott’s Resilience: Overcame two interceptions and a fumble, finishing with 352 passing yards.
- Steelers’ Struggles: Offense stalled, managing just 226 yards amid weather delays.
- Defensive Battle: Dallas’ defense held strong despite missing key players Parsons and Lawrence.
- Injury Updates: Both teams dealt with key injuries, potentially affecting upcoming games.
Prescott’s Late TD to Tolbert Lifts Cowboys Over Steelers, 20-17
Deep Look
The Dallas Cowboys triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a thrilling 20-17 victory on Monday night, thanks to a game-winning touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Jalen Tolbert with just 20 seconds left on the clock. Prescott’s clutch throw, delivered as the Steelers’ defense closed in, helped the Cowboys (3-2) clinch their second consecutive win and reinvigorated the team after a challenging start to the season.
Despite struggling throughout the game, Prescott stayed poised when it mattered most. The Cowboys’ quarterback finished with 352 passing yards, overcoming two interceptions and a fumble that nearly cost his team the game. Leading the Cowboys downfield with 4:56 remaining, Prescott orchestrated a 70-yard drive in 15 plays. In one key moment, Prescott recovered a fumble from teammate Rico Dowdle near the goal line, setting up the chance for his final strike to Tolbert.
Reflecting on the win, Prescott said, “We talk about staying neutral, being resilient, and knowing there will be ups and downs. If we stay focused, we can come out with the win. Tonight was a great example.”
Steelers’ Struggles and Late Mistakes
The Steelers (3-2), who were looking to bounce back after a previous loss, couldn’t find their rhythm on offense and were plagued by penalties and execution issues throughout the night. Pittsburgh’s quarterback, Justin Fields, threw for only 131 yards and completed 15 of 27 passes, including a touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth that briefly gave the Steelers a 17-13 lead. Fields, dealing with an uneven season, faced pressure to perform amid talks that veteran Russell Wilson may return soon following an injury.
“I think the reoccurring theme is shooting ourselves in the foot,” Fields said. “Penalties, missed opportunities—it’s coming down to execution.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that Fields’ struggles might prompt a quarterback reevaluation as they look to next week’s game in Las Vegas.
Cowboys Overcome Defensive Absences
Dallas played without defensive stars Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, which could have spelled disaster for a team facing Pittsburgh’s strong defense. However, the Cowboys’ backups stepped up, holding the Steelers to only 226 yards and managing several key stops. Running back Rico Dowdle provided a crucial lift with 87 rushing yards and a 22-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, marking a major improvement for a Dallas rushing attack that has struggled this season.
The Steelers’ defense, led by T.J. Watt, put up a fierce fight and capitalized on Prescott’s mistakes early on. Watt sacked Prescott in the first quarter, causing a fumble that ended a Dallas drive deep in Pittsburgh territory. Watt’s half-sack brought him to 100 career sacks, the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach that milestone in 109 games.
Final Drive Seals Cowboys’ Victory
Dallas had multiple chances to create separation, but turnovers and penalties kept Pittsburgh within reach. In the second quarter, Prescott’s late throw into the end zone was intercepted by Donte Jackson, a mistake that halted another potential scoring drive. In total, Dallas tallied 11 penalties for 87 yards, extending drives and giving Pittsburgh second chances.
However, in a scene reminiscent of his first Pittsburgh visit as a rookie, Prescott kept his composure for a late-game, season-defining drive. Behind a battered offensive line, he showed why he’s a key player for Dallas, maneuvering under pressure and ultimately finding Tolbert for the go-ahead touchdown that silenced Pittsburgh’s defense.
“We had a play call we loved and were confident in,” Prescott said. “The offensive line gave me time, and Tolbert came open to the left.”
Injury Report
Both teams faced significant injuries. For the Cowboys, defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who was filling in for Lawrence, left the game with a knee injury and did not return. The Steelers suffered a loss on defense as linebacker Nick Herbig exited with a hamstring injury, and outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal went down in the fourth quarter with a stinger, leaving the Steelers’ defensive depth thin heading into their next matchup.
What’s Next
The Cowboys return home to face the Detroit Lions next Sunday, hoping to carry their momentum forward and build on Prescott’s late-game heroics. The Steelers, now with consecutive losses, will travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders, possibly with a quarterback decision on the horizon as they evaluate Fields’ performance and Wilson’s readiness.
