Scouting the Cowboys: Steelers' next opponent is facing 3rd AFC North team in 5 weeks

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS

Last meeting

Steelers beat Cowboys, 24-19, on Nov. 8, 2020 in Texas

Key matchup

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb vs. Steelers defense

The NFL’s reigning receptions leader and first-team All Pro, Lamb is unlike most of the other elite receivers in that he runs the majority of his routes from the slot. But just barely. The idea is that Lamb roams around and lines up all over the offense. That makes it difficult to shadow him with a so-called shutdown cornerback and means it is unlikely Joey Porter Jr. will be following Lamb around. It will take a team effort involving Donte Jackson, Beanie Bishop, the safeties and even linebackers such as Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson.

Key injuries

The Cowboys are without arguably their best two defensive players, each of whom suffered an injury during their most recent game: defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and Micah Parsons (ankle). Also out is veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee). Starting cornerbacks Caelen Carson (shoulder) and Trevon Diggs (ankle) and linebacker Marist Liufau (quadriceps) are listed as questionable.

The Steelers remain without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), complementary running backs Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) and reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee). Starting right guard James Daniels (Achilles) went on injured reserve this week, and starting defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (groin) is questionable. Quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) again is expected to be limited to emergency-only duty.

Series record

Cowboys lead 17-16

Series notes

The Steelers and Cowboys have met in three Super Bowls — the only pair of teams to play each other for the Lombardi Trophy on three occasions. … The Steelers twice beat the Cowboys for the Super Bowl in the 1970s, but Dallas won in Super Bowl XXX after the 1995 season. … The Steelers have won eight of 15 meetings in Pittsburgh but are 1-1 in matchups at what is now called Acrisure Stadium. The Cowboys lost 20-13 at then-Heinz Field in 2008 but won when Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott were rookies, 35-30 on Nov. 13, 2016. … This is the Steelers’ first of four games against NFC East opponents this season. They have won 11 of their past 15 against foes from that division. … In a scheduling quirk, the Cowboys are facing their third AFC North team through the first five weeks of the season. They beat Cleveland in Week 1 but lost to Baltimore on Sept. 22.

Notable

The primetime kickoff marks the Cowboys’ 80th all-time appearance on “Sunday Night Football,” while the Steelers are playing on “SNF” for the 60th time. The franchises rank first and second in Sunday night games played. … Counting other days of the week, the Steelers are 54-18 in home primetime games since the 1970 NFL merger, good for a league-best .750 winning percentage in such games. … Dallas has the NFL’s lowest per-game rushing yards (75.3) in 2024, while the Steelers rank third in fewest rushing yards allowed (86.8). … The Steelers are No. 2 in scoring defense (13.3 points allowed per game), and only four teams are worse than the Cowboys’ 26.0. … The Steelers have allowed 16 total points in the second halves of their four games this season, fewest in the league. The Steelers also lead the NFL in second-half yards allowed (98.8 per game). … The Steelers are tied for the most carries in the NFL this season (138), while the Cowboys tied for the second-most pass attempts (152) through four weeks.

Fantasy tip

Using standard scoring, Steelers quarterback Justin Fields was the highest-scoring quarterback in the league for Week 4. He has factored in all of his team’s touchdowns this season (three passing, three rushing) — the only player in the NFL to do so.