This Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys take their (7-6) records into “Jerry World” in an intense matchup between two Playoff hopefuls. Expect the chinstraps to be buckled extra tight in the 2012 installment of this classic, heated rivalry. Not convinced that a matchup of two teams from separate conferences and separated by 1,200 miles is a rivalry game? The Golden Era of Football in the 1970s will tell you all you need to know.
In addition to fielding some of the greatest talent and a record-number of Hall of Famers, each of these teams has had great success in the Big Game, as evidenced by the hardware in the trophy room. Neither the recent success of the Patriots, Packers, or Giants can compete with either of these squads when it comes to getting to and winning on football’s biggest stage. Although it took the Steelers until 2009 to accomplish it, they lead the entire National Football League in Lombardi Trophies at a whopping six; they over-took Dallas who is tied with the San Francisco 49ers for the second-most World Championships at five. Furthermore, both the Steelers and Cowboys have appeared in league-leading 8 Super Bowl games, since the Super Bowl era began in 1967. The Steelers, representing the AFC, have squared off against the NFC Cowboys team in Super Bowls X, XIII, XXX. The Steelers won two of the three showdowns. With NFL greats like Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Lynn Swann, Tony Dorsett, John Stallworth, and Franco Harris representing these two historic franchises, it is easy to see why they rank among the top teams in Super Bowl victories.
Though the teams have a number of past successes, the modern version of this matchup favors the Steelers. Since 2000, the Steelers have appeared in three Super Bowls, winning two. Meanwhile the Cowboys, under QB Tony Romo, have struggled mightily to take advantage of the talent on the roster and have not won a Playoff game since 2009. It should be noted that their previous post-season win came with Troy Aikman calling plays back in 1996, against the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.
The Cowboys and Steelers are knotted at 15-15 all-time series, though there is an 8-5 advantage in games played in Dallas. The last meeting between the two teams was in Pittsburgh on December 7, 2008, a day that saw the home-team Steelers win 20-13. However, this will be the first meeting between these foes in the new Cowboys Stadium. As you may recall, the Steelers might not like this venue much, as their only game played in it was a Super Bowl XLV loss to the Green Bay Packers in 2010.
Despite the game being played in Dallas, the 2012 team has failed to impress the hometown crowd with a modest (3-3) record. Though winning four of their last five games and two of three against AFC North competition this season, Dallas still finds itself clinging to third place in the NFC East. As it stands, Big D is trailing both the Washington Redskins and the division-leading New York Giants. A win by Dallas and losses by both Washington and Chicago would vault the Cowboys into the Playoff Picture with two games remaining in the season. However, it will be interesting to see how the team performs in its second contest since the unfortunate tragedy involving two of their players.
Furthermore, star WR Dez Bryant is battling a broken finger, which some have speculated could end his season. According to Bryant, he is going to attempt to forgo surgery and help the team by playing this weekend. Whether or not Dallas’ star wide out can catch passes with a broken finger remains to be seen, but Bryant has been playing at a high level over the last four games (30 catches, 450+ yards, 6 TDs). If Bryant can even be used to decoy the NFL’s number one defense, openings could become available for fellow receiver Miles Austin and arguably one of the NFL’s best Tight Ends in Jason Witten.
Tony Romo and company catch this defense at the right time with injuries to Ike Taylor (Out) and LaMarr Woodley (recently upgraded to Probable). In addition to not fielding a healthy defensive unit, Pittsburgh has also lost three of its last four, with the solo victory coming in upset fashion against the Ravens. Long story short, Dallas has all things pointing in their direction to win a big game down the stretch against a very talented team. Having a healthy Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray will affect Romo’s success to avoid his high turnover numbers this season (20 TDs, 16 INTs).
For Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger and company will look to get off the snide against an inconsistent Dallas defense. Though much improved, Dallas still has glaring holes in their defense, primarily in the linebacking unit. Season-ending injuries to Sean Lee and Lee’s backup Bruce Carter, who was having a solid season in the middle, have crippled an already questionable unit. Throw in the fact that starters DeMarcus Ware, Morris Claiborne, and Jay Ratliff are all questionable for this matchup, and Roethlisberger has to be salivating.
With Mike Wallace posting numbers like Steeler fans are used to, Antonio Brown re-gaining health, and Emmanuel Sanders and Plaxico Burress making plays, the Steeler offense has been making up for previous poor performances. Pittsburgh also has a solid TE of their own in Heath Miller, an under-rated yet favorite target to Big Ben. With a large number of weapons at his disposal, Ben could flourish if Big D’s stars are unable to go this Sunday. Not to mention that Ben’s shoulder is only going to continue to improve as the week progresses.
If there is one knock on this current team, it has been the running game, or lack thereof. After suspending starter Rashard Mendenhall for one-game for conduct detrimental to the team, backups Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman have not impressed. Injuries to the offensive line have not helped the matter. Enter David DeCastro. Yes Steeler fans, the franchise’s first round pick this season is eyeing his first career start on Sunday after a serious MCL injury in the preseason. Per usual, the Steelers have continued to be one of the NFL’s worst blocking units, thanks in part to a myriad of injuries to several key blockers. DeCastro and Pouncey, when healthy, could easily be one of the most feared blocking tandems in the league. Factor in the young and talented Marcus Gilbert, and the Steelers might finally be able to return to a little bit of their power run game. Though with weapons like Wallace and Brown on the outside, it is probably best to keep a combination of both for future successes.
In determining a winner on Sunday, health will be the biggest factor. Both rosters are phenomenal on paper and are capable of slinging the football on offense, while shutting down opposing team’s offensive capabilities. Ultimately, Dez Bryant’s ineffectiveness this week, partnered with the limited participation of DeMarcus Ware and Claiborne will play to the Steelers favor. Even in a crushing defeat last week, Big Ben was able to shred a tough Chargers squad fresh off his shoulder/rib injuries. Though I like Pittsburgh in this one, Dallas is certainly capable of winning the game and it will certainly be a game decided in the final minutes. Look for kickers Sean Suisham or Dan Bailey to be the heroes in this one.
Prediction: Steelers 17, Cowboys 14
Impact Fantasy Performer: DeMarco Murray (75 yards, TD)
Matchup to Watch: Dez Bryant vs. Keenan Lewis/Cortez Allen
