Five takeaways from Cowboys-Steelers: Dak Prescott leads Dallas to dramatic victory

PITTSBURGH It was a drama-filled Sunday night between the Cowboys and the Steelers.

The night started with a weather delay of nearly 90 minutes and ended with wide receiver Jalen Tolbert catching a clutch 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott with 20 seconds left.

The Tolbert score gave the Cowboys a dramatic 20-17 victory in a game that was ugly for nearly 59 minutes.

Tolberts winning catch came after he almost left the game with a groin injury when he couldnt catch a low pass in the end zone from Prescott a few moments earlier.

Dak Prescotts long night The quarterback with the highest average salary in the NFL at $60 million had a long night, but ultimately made the plays when it counted.

In addition to the winning drive, he completed a 16-play, 90-yard drive to give his team a three-point fourth-quarter lead.

He also committed two turnovers in the red zone.

Dak Prescott threw an interception toward the end zone with the pass intended for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Prescott also fumbled in the red zone while getting sacked.

On the sidelines, Lamb could be seen talking to Prescott about the throw that should have been a jump ball.

Prescotts other interception, in the fourth quarter, was on a deep pass to Jalen Tolbert.

When the Cowboys were running the ball effectively, a deep throw at that moment of the fourth quarter (10:28 remaining) didnt make much sense.

This season, Prescott has eight touchdowns and seven turnovers (four interceptions and three fumbles lost).

More worries for defensive line Rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee on the fourth defensive play of the game.

He didnt return.

The loss of Kneeland was compounded with starters DeMarcus Lawrence (mid-foot sprain) and Micah Parsons (high-ankle sprain) already missing the game .

With Kneeland out, the Cowboys moved Tyrus Wheat to the first-team defense.

The Cowboys were left with Chauncey Golston and Carl Lawson at defensive end.

Carlos Watkins, normally a defensive tackle, can also move to the edge.

The Cowboys kept newly signed K.J.

Henry inactive after signing him from the Bengals practice squad.

Offensive line problems, too Well, if you were hoping to see Tyler Smith play left tackle, it happened Sunday.

Smith moved to left tackle when rookie Tyler Guyton went down with a left knee injury .

Guyton was injured blocking outside linebacker Nick Herbig in the second quarter.

Smith moved from left guard to left tackle.

T.J.

Bass took over for Smith at left guard.

The Cowboys started this season with two rookies along the offensive line as Guyton emerged as the starter at left tackle.

It was expected even though Chuma Edoga got first-team reps at the start of training camp.

But when Edoga suffered a lower leg injury it allowed Guyton to get more snaps on the first team.

Dowdle and the run game It wasnt always pretty but the Cowboys finally did some positive things in the running game.

Starter Rico Dowdle rushed for a career-high in yards.

He had 87 yards on 20 carries.

The Cowboys rushed for 109 yards total, reaching over 100 yards in a game for the second time this season.

Coach Mike McCarthy said the running game needed more attempts to give it a fair evaluation and Sunday night showed that.

McCarthy returns to Pittsburgh Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy returned to Pittsburgh and earned his first win in his hometown.

He went 0-4 in Pittsburgh when he coached the Green Bay Packers.

This was McCarthys first trip to his hometown while coaching the Cowboys.

He had numerous family members at the game as they sat in a suite.

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