The Cowboys head into their Week 5 matchup in opposition to the Steelers with few dependable strengths on the roster. The street to Dallas’ present 2-2 file is stuffed with inconsistency, together with from their stars, so it’s laborious to say what to anticipate from them in Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, the matchup does current some alternatives for sure gamers over others.
BUY
QB Dak Prescott
The Steelers have had it comparatively simple to this point on the subject of opposing quarterbacks. They received Kirk Cousins in his first sport as a Falcon, Bo Nix in solely his second sport as a professional, and noticed Justin Herbert and Anthony Richardson get injured during the last two weeks. Even with that, they gave up a wholesome 246 passing yards to Nix and 239 yards to the mix of Richardson and Joe Flacco.
Provided that, Dak Prescott ought to be capable of transfer the ball by means of the air on this sport. Whereas WR Brandin Cooks is now on IR for at the very least 4 video games, he hasn’t been serving to the passing sport recently. Some would argue that extra targets for Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin will make the Cowboys’ offense much less predictable and extra explosive.
WR Jalen Tolbert
As simply talked about, Tolbert stands to get an uptick in manufacturing with Cooks out. Simply final week, Pittsburgh allowed Indy’s WR2 Josh Downs to get 82 yards and a landing on eight catches. This was regardless of Michael Pittman having 113 yards of his personal, so if the Cowboys can discover and maintain a rhythm going it could possibly be day for Tolbert and the passing sport as an entire.
DE Marshawn Kneeland
Pressured up the depth chart after accidents to Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the rookie has an incredible probability to shine in his first begin. Pittsburgh’s allowed QB Justin Discipline to be sacked at the very least twice in each sport this 12 months, and he went down 4 occasions final week in opposition to the Colts. Whereas Kneeland is like Lawrence, extra of a run-stopper than go rusher, he’s flashed sufficient of the latter capability that he might benefit from alternatives.
It additionally helps Kneeland this week that the Steelers haven’t been that harmful on the bottom. RB Najee Harris is averaging simply 3.4 yards on his rushes to this point this 12 months. Pittsburgh can do some trickery with Fields’ operating capability, however to this point this 12 months they haven’t been a workforce that may simply run you over at will.
SELL
RB Rico Dowdle
Final week was Dowdle’s greatest sport to this point this season; a 4.2 common on his runs and his first landing. However the Steelers have been brutal in opposition to opponents’ operating backs in 2024, at present rating third-best in complete yards allowed and second in yards per carry. Whereas they did surrender 88 yards and a rating to Jonathan Taylor final week, Dallas’ speeding assault has barely been in a position to get going in opposition to even mediocre defenses.
Defensive Backs
Pittsburgh has had 557 passing yards during the last two video games. Fields has rapidly solid working relationship with WR George Pickens, who’s been stable all 12 months and went off final week for 113 yards on seven catches. Throw in Dallas’ pass-rushing issues with Parsons and Lawrence out, plus well being points for Trevon Diggs and Caelen Carson, and issues don’t bode nicely for the Cowboys’ secondary on Sunday evening.
