The Week 5 clash between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers was more than just a football game; it was a grueling test of endurance, weather management, and late-game execution. When looking at the dallas cowboys vs steelers match player stats, the box score tells a story of a dominant Dallas offense that nearly shot itself in the foot and a resilient Pittsburgh defense that kept the game within reach until the final 20 seconds.
From Dak Prescott’s high-volume passing day to T.J. Watt reaching historic career milestones, this matchup provided a wealth of data for fantasy managers and NFL enthusiasts alike.
Game Score Summary
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 20 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
Quarterback Comparison: Dak Prescott vs. Justin Fields
The most critical component of the dallas cowboys vs steelers match player stats begins under center. This game featured two quarterbacks at very different stages of their careers, both facing immense pressure.
Quarterback Passing Stats
| Player | Team | Cmp/Att | Yds | TD | INT | Rating |
| Dak Prescott | DAL | 29/42 | 352 | 2 | 2 | 90.6 |
| Justin Fields | PIT | 15/27 | 131 | 2 | 0 | 93.3 |
Despite the 90-minute lightning delay and three costly turnovers, Dak Prescott proved why he is among the league’s highest-paid signal-callers. Prescott finished the night with 352 passing yards. While his two interceptions and one fumble in the red zone kept Pittsburgh in the game, his poise on the final 15-play, 70-yard game-winning drive was the deciding factor.
Rushing Attack: Dowdle Emerges as the Lead Back
One of the biggest storylines in the dallas cowboys vs steelers match player stats was the emergence of Rico Dowdle as the definitive RB1 for Dallas.
Rushing Leaders
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Rico Dowdle | DAL | 20 | 87 | 4.4 | 0 | 13 |
| Najee Harris | PIT | 14 | 42 | 3.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Justin Fields | PIT | 6 | 27 | 4.5 | 0 | 8 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | 6 | 17 | 2.8 | 0 | 5 |
Rico Dowdle provided the consistency Dallas has lacked all season. His 87 rushing yards were supplemented by a critical receiving touchdown, totaling 114 yards from scrimmage. On the opposite side, Najee Harris found running lanes difficult to come by, as the Dallas defensive front neutralized the “bully ball” style Pittsburgh prefers.
Receiving Corps: The Rise of Jalen Tolbert
With Brandin Cooks sidelined, Jalen Tolbert stepped up alongside CeeDee Lamb to anchor the passing game.
Top Receiving Stats
| Player | Team | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Target |
| Jalen Tolbert | DAL | 7 | 87 | 12.4 | 1 | 10 |
| Jake Ferguson | DAL | 6 | 70 | 11.7 | 0 | 7 |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 5 | 62 | 12.4 | 0 | 9 |
| KaVontae Turpin | DAL | 4 | 50 | 12.5 | 0 | 5 |
| Najee Harris | PIT | 2 | 35 | 17.5 | 0 | 2 |
| Rico Dowdle | DAL | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 1 | 2 |
Tolbert’s performance culminated in the game-winning 4-yard touchdown catch on 4th-and-goal. While CeeDee Lamb’s yardage was modest, his presence drew constant double-teams, allowing Prescott to find open lanes for Tolbert and Ferguson.
Defensive Standouts and Milestones
While offense sells tickets, the dallas cowboys vs steelers match player stats on the defensive side were historic.
Defensive Leaders
| Player | Team | Total Tackles | Sacks | TFL | PD |
| T.J. Watt | PIT | 8 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Linval Joseph | DAL | 3 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Eric Kendricks | DAL | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Joey Porter Jr. | PIT | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
T.J. Watt’s 100th Sack
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt recorded 1.5 sacks during the contest, officially crossing the 100-sack milestone. He became the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach this mark, trailing only Reggie White. Watt’s ability to disrupt the pocket was the primary reason Dallas struggled to score despite moving the ball at will.
Suggested Image 2: T.J. Watt celebrating a sack, with the crowd at Acrisure Stadium in the background.
Caption: T.J. Watt reached his 100th career sack during the Week 5 matchup, cementing his Hall of Fame trajectory.
Key Game Statistics: Team Comparison
Understanding the dallas cowboys vs steelers match player stats requires looking at the efficiency of both teams.
Team Comparison Table
| Statistic | Dallas Cowboys | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Total First Downs | 25 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 445 | 226 |
| Passing Yards | 336 | 134 |
| Rushing Yards | 109 | 92 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 9/15 (60%) | 3/12 (25%) |
| 4th Down Efficiency | 1/1 (100%) | 2/2 (100%) |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of Possession | 32:29 | 27:31 |
Typically, a -2 turnover margin results in a loss, but Dallas’s yardage dominance and 60% conversion rate on third downs overcame the mistakes.
Fantasy Football Implications
If you are tracking the dallas cowboys vs steelers match player stats for fantasy purposes, several trends are worth noting:
- Rico Dowdle is a must-start: His volume (20+ touches) makes him a solid RB2 or Flex option.
- Jalen Tolbert is a priority waiver add: As the clear WR2 in a high-volume passing offense, his value is skyrocketing.
- Sell High on Justin Fields?: With low passing volume, Fields relies heavily on rushing touchdowns for fantasy relevance.
FAQ Section
1. What were Dak Prescott’s final stats against the Steelers?
Dak Prescott completed 29 of 42 passes for 352 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
2. How many sacks did T.J. Watt have in this game?
T.J. Watt recorded 1.5 sacks, reaching a career total of 101 sacks.
3. Who scored the winning touchdown for the Cowboys?
Jalen Tolbert caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott with 20 seconds remaining on the clock.
4. What was the total yardage for the Cowboys vs. Steelers?
The Cowboys outgained the Steelers 445 total yards to 226.
5. Why was the Cowboys vs. Steelers game delayed?
The game was delayed for approximately 90 minutes due to severe thunderstorms and lightning in the Pittsburgh area.
6. How did Rico Dowdle perform in the match?
Dowdle had a breakout game with 20 carries for 87 yards and 2 receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Conclusion
The dallas cowboys vs steelers match player stats reveal a game of extreme contrasts. Dallas dominated the yardage and time of possession but struggled with ball security. Pittsburgh played a disciplined, defensive-minded game but lacked the offensive firepower to put the Cowboys away when given the opportunity.
Key Takeaways:
- Dak Prescott remains a high-yardage threat despite turnovers.
- Rico Dowdle has taken over the Dallas backfield.
- T.J. Watt continues to be the most disruptive defensive force in the NFL.
For fans and analysts, this game serves as a reminder that stats don’t always reflect the scoreboard, but they do highlight the underlying trends that will define the rest of the NFL season.
