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2020-2021 Regular Season:
Cowboys Almost
Become Victory Stealers Against The Steelers And Spend Bye Week
Figuring How To Be More Striking Against The Vikings
November 19,
2020 At 11:27 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
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After going 1-2 (against the
Giants,
Washington, and the
Eagles) with a dull
blade on
their (hopeful yet ultimately hollow) division incision, "America's
Team" were hosting an age-old foe and AFC contender with a full head
of steam. Though Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin – among
others within the organization – was not one to forget the 2012
overtime loss or the 2016 high-scoring (but game-losing) affair, the
2020 Dallas Cowboys were (and are) without Dak Prescott – their
offensive boss – which is also neither here nor there.
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The 2-6 Dallas Cowboys knew what was coming. If they were to
miraculously survive the 7-0 Steelers, they had to show some teeth
towards an opponent they could not be gumming.
Short Shots And Hot Spots – The Start
While the Steelers were on offense to begin the game, they were in
the middle of a slow-starting habit that – as much to their own fans
as to members of "Cowboys Nation" – similarly and familiarly lame.
But "Big Ben" and company were facing an otherwise-woeful Dallas
defense that had their first solid 2020 showing (against a Philly
team less than glowing) the previous week, no offense. "No fakin'.
None taken."
RUTHLESSberger, err, Roethlisberger (soon after a patented amble
scramble) wasted little time on his first possession, going deep
left to wide receiver Diontae Johnson, and nearly suffering a
turnover transgression. (Outside of Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown)
Two of the Cowboys' more aggressive secondary members – cornerback
Trevon Diggs and safety Donovan Wilson – practically collided over
whose hands would collect the interception (with neither enjoying
successful retention).
Just two plays later, Dallas dodged another bullet, a real ill-fater.
Big Ben would go deep right to wide receiver Chase Claypool who –
after some non-call hand-fighting with defender Jourdan Lewis –
dropped a still-catchable pass, looking the fool. Yes, the
pass-interference-prone Lewis should have been called for "another
one" as he never looked back at the ball. Yes, Claypool should have
had an easy touchdown haul. Still, STILL – with some uncommon help
from their sworn enemies (the officials) – Nolan's defense "forced"
an unexpected three-and-out against an opponent that was seconds
away from perhaps starting a route.
And what did Dallas do with their defensive good fortune? They tried
to apply some offensive torsion (of the knife to demonstrate that
even a downtrodden host could show signs of life).
Garrett Gilbert – the Cowboys' fourth starting quarterback due to
2020's now-infamous injury attack – took the shotgun snap on
3rd-and-2 from his own 23 and lofted a beautiful-if-slightly-short
pass to Amari Cooper (who pulled in the 32-yard gainer like a
big-yardage scooper). Star running back Ezekiel Elliott (he of the
tender hamstring) would punish, err, convert on another third down.
Backup Tony Pollard would come in to spell Zeke, and his insta-jitterbug
streak (away from Zack Martin's side, one must confide) would cause
(those present from) "Cowboys Nation" to giddily freak! Gilbert – on
1st-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 14 – would go back to Pollard who (on
a play the Steelers would easily decipher) did an incredible job of
not getting crushingly-collared. 3rd-and-10, however, came and went
with a defensive stack (and a Steelers sack) not allowing a
touchdown dent.
Then again, the 2020 version of the "Steel Curtain" – prior to this
contest – was designated by "Pro Football Focus" as the best defense
in the NFL (capable of applying a hurtin' and giving their best
opponents hell). Following a deep Dallas drive that could not be
kept alive, that designation was not entirely hocus pocus.
Another (38-yard) Greg Zuerlein field goal? Another fizzled 3-0
start from which the Cowboys would attempt to roll. Though – in the
absence of the recently-IR'd Chris Jones – replacement Hunter "I'm A
Kicker AND A Punter" Niswander also showed some satisfactory holder
stones.
Just when Cowboys Nation was bracing for the aerial assault Mike
Nolan's defense might next be facing, Big Ben & Co. went with more
James Conner (in the air and on the ground) to control the pacing.
"Mike's Men" (particularly Leighton "Wolf Hunter" Vander Esh,
DeMarcus "Tank" Lawrence, and rookie nose tackle Neville "The
Canadian Bulldozer" Gallimore) stuffed each play, forcing another
3-and-out, looking sound, and being stout. Still "just" 3-0 but the
'Boys were not bluffing.
ANOTHER Steelers punt? Were the Cowboys officially on the hunt? Not
so fast, as the Steel Curtain (narrowly) made quick work of the
Cowboys on their next offensive series (ensuring – with Dallas'
new-found confidence – the Steelers did not avoidably put themselves
on blast).
Big Ben and Co. begin to see some wind beneath their (passing game)
wings to start the second quarter, until a failed 4th-and-1 sent
their once-promising drive out of order. None other than defensive
end Randy Gregory applied the pop to make the key defensive stop.
Perhaps he is rounding into form to make such plays (and fan
expectations) the norm.
Then, with Gilbert and Co. back on offense on 1st-and-10 (with 11:26
remaining in the second quarter just short of their own 35), Gilbert
– rather than fall limp with a defender lunging for his legs – went
LIVE, escaping for a 15-yard run, and really showing some "eggs."
In just over one quarter of work (and save for one sack), Garrett
Atone Gilbert displayed the "pocket awareness" moxie to keep more
than one drive on track. Rather than the expected
dear-in-the-headlights "GAG" understandably associated with Ben
DiNucci, routinely associated with Andy Dalton, and, yes,
infrequently associated with one Dak Prescott . . . Gilbert did not
collapse on the spot. He was regularly, proactively rolling away
from his protection to avoid the oncoming defensive infection. Just
when everyone in the NFL expected the Steelers to repeatedly put
Gilbert to bed, would he and the Cowboys continue competing instead?
Gilbert would take off again for at least another 10! Upon reaching
the sideline, defenders exploded with encouragement (for a forgotten
fourth-string doing his very best thing), seemingly ready to follow
and toe HIS line.
"And then" Gilbert found tight end Dalton Schultz for another first
down. "And then, And Then, AND THEN" – with 7:47 remaining in the
second quarter on 3rd-and-7 from the Pittsburgh 20 – Gilbert took
the shotgun snap, rolled right, and threw on the run to rookie
sensation CeeDee Lamb for the touchdown! CASH MONEY! And who allowed
Lamb to go point-scoring BLAM? None other than highly-celebrated
linebacker T.J. Watt, caught in a clear mismatch, and burned on the
spot.
Following Zeurlein's extra point, the downtrodden Dallas Cowboys
were beating the powerful Pittsburgh Steelers 10-0 and practically
owning the joint. For those who rightfully expected the latest
Cowboys quarterback to just add to the team's self-inflicted harm,
what a tremendous shot in the arm!
And – like in "Get Smart" – would you believe Big Ben and Co. went
three-and-out AGAIN? "And then, And Then, AND THEN" – on the punt –
special teams coordinator John Fassel had no interest in playing the
mental runt. He decided to show some stones and rolled the "Bones."
Wide receiver and punt returner Cedrick Wilson would catch the punt
and throw a lateral across the field to full-time special teamer and
reserve safety C.J. Goodwin . . . who (after nearly dropping it)
proceeded to race up field and down the left sideline for what
appeared to be a most-excellent special teams win. If not for a
poorly-executed hurdle over one Steelers flailing turtle, Goodwin
would have scored rather than faceplant at the Pittsburgh 10, good
lord!
And wouldn't you know? Say it ain't so! An illegal block in the back
by a good-for-nothin' teammate would reverse Goodwin's effort part
of the way down the track. Still, STILL, Gilbert and Co. were set up
in potent position, and – on 3rd-and-9 with 4:41 remaining before
half and the Steelers seemingly reeling – the Cowboys just had to
fend off their death-by-field-goal feeling. Gilbert would find Amari
Cooper for a quick 4-yard pickup and before he could perform an
easily-achievable first down giddyup, he (unintentionally) faked
himself out of his own cleats and could not get up. While another
Zuerlein field goal would grow the lead to 13-0, the Cowboys knew
they were playing with fire if they expected to Steelers to continue
scoring nothing.
Short Shots And Hot Spots – The Recovery-
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As (eventually) expected, the Steelers had just about enough and –
with a little under 3:30 to go before intermission – finally showed
their passing game stuff. Passes to receivers Claypool and Johnson,
as well as tight end Eric Ebron (remember him?), and – ultimately –
on a nice pump-fake to James Washington made the prospect of keeping
the Steelers scoreless officially dim.
After a missed extra point, 13-6 the score became, but could the
Cowboys keep Pittsburgh from making momentum fire from just one
scoring flame?
Gilbert and Co. were back in action – with just over a minute to go
from their own 20 – and looking to gain more productive traction. It
was time to earn more money. Gilbert took the shotgun snap and –
with the pocket collapsing quick and a Steeler on his hip – he fired
between two defenders to an open CeeDee Lamb who turned up field for
the first down but damn, Damn, DAMN! A Pittsburgh defender slapped
the ball out and right into the timely hands of safety Minkah
Fitzpatrick. While Dallas would hold Steelers' high-powered offense
to a field goal, they would enter halftime having allowed Pittsburgh
to somewhat restore their own at-will role. They needed to find a
way to prevent a larger bleed of their 13-9 lead.
The Cowboys would begin the third quarter on offense and – once
again – rolled down the field with another nice
play-call-and-execution mix with the (infrequently-successful) goal
of providing a touchdown fix. Following an excellent 20-yard Pollard
rush, pass protection would turn to mush and Gilbert's pass would
fall short of a wide-open Dalton Schultz, with the Cowboys unable to
achieve their first down push. Another Zuerlein field goal? 16-9 . .
. but the Steelers were not in a big enough hole.
And – inconceivably – Nolan's defense would force ANOTHER 3-and-out.
Big Ben – on third-and-four – would have insufficient time to hit
receiver James Washington with Randy Gregory and Tank Lawrence
converging to take Roethlisberger to the floor. The play nearly
including a Xavier Woods cross-field, diving interception that would
have surely triggered fans to scream and shout. That tag-team tackle
appeared to make Big Ben's knee bend and (perhaps) crackle. He would
spend some time on sideline until he could prove his left knee was
fine.
The Cowboys – with another chance to expand their lead and make the
game clock bleed – picked up key first downs by a shifty Pollard and
tackle-breaking Elliott. Against Pittsburgh's run defense, the
Cowboys were seriously smelling it. Consecutive passes to Schultz
and Lamb got them back into their most-challenging territory on the
day. Gilbert – on 3rd-and-9 with less than 3:00 to go in the third –
would take the shotgun snap and give the inside handoff to Elliott
(who would break a tackle and dive backwards to JUST miss making the
first down play). Mike "Risky Business" McCarthy would stand down
and allow Zuerlein a fourth field goal shot to place Pittsburgh in a
two-score hole.
Short Shots And Hot Spots – Neck And Neck-
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Alas – as discerning fans remained ready to admit – the Cowboys'
lead (regardless of their clearly-improved hustle) was not supported
by enough offensive muscle to last. Dallas' secondary – against the
Steelers' awakening aerial assault – would eventually be outclassed.
With about two minutes to go in the third, Big Ben's passes
(including big gainers to receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster) were
successfully blurred and beginning in the fourth, his receivers
finally revealed their true worth. On a 2nd-and-6 from the Cowboys'
31, Big Ben pump-faked, found Smith-Schuster at the 8-yard line (who
broke through a weak tackling collision by Xavier Woods and Donovan
Wilson to dive into the end zone and get 'er done).
Just when the score was about to become 19-16 to give the Cowboys a
mere three-point deficit, defensive end Tyrone Crawford delivered an
extra-point slap to protect their four-point gap. With the score
19-15, an entire quarter remaining, and the Steelers gaining, no one
was overlooking it.
The Steelers would purposely kickoff just short of the Cowboys' end
zone and little-used rookie running back Rico Dowdle would race
through a gauntlet of oncoming Steelers, quite literally tip-toe
down the right sideline before regaining his balance, until being
tracked down at the Pittsburgh 36. Dowdle's 64-yard return – without
the benefit of play-call tricks – seemed to be an awesome starting
point for a larger scoring fix . . . but Dallas would soon feel an
unwanted burn.
Gilbert would comfortably find Schultz for 15 yards on another,
almost (GASP) Witten-esque first down. Gilbert would then handoff to
their red zone bell cow to get them closer to another score
here-and-now. Zeke Elliott would patiently make his way before
running over the Steelers' Fitzpatrick to finish the play. Dallas
had a 1st-and-goal at the Steelers' seven, but two plays later –
with his pocket collapsing out of its socket – Gilbert crashed back
down to everyone's (?) fourth-string expectation. Rather than even
attempt to roll back from the pressure or simply take the
field-goal-friendly sack by any measure, he forced a wobbly pass
over the middle of the end zone where only FOUR Steelers would roam
(and that Fitzpatrick guy ensured that in his hands the timely
turnover found a happy home).
Had Zeke been able to make contact when Fitzpatrick chose to
(questionably) leave the end zone, the ball might have popped right
out, as that near-collision surely would have been felt right down
to the bone. But the Cowboys' red zone fate was once again
insufferably sewn.
Promising rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs – who against consecutive
Pennsylvania teams could not replicate being an interception pig –
would suffer a foot fracture on the Steelers next offensive series.
Adding insult to injury, Vander Esch suffered a momentary
frustration lobotomy. After making a resounding tackle, he added
some angry cackle, and threw an "air punch" at the head of Steelers
rookie running back Anthony McFarland. While the officials gave him
a break on the baiting squawk, LVE simply could not still his hand
and just stick with the talk. And yet – AND YET – the Dallas defense
held the Steelers to another field goal, resulting in a 19-18
razor-thin, one-point hole.
Short Shots And Hot Spots – Competitive End-
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Gilbert and Co. would get the ball back but – for one of the few
times all day – an uncatchable pass to Cooper on 3rd-and-7 meant
they could not extend their play. The Cowboys gave Big Ben 3+
minutes to finally claim the lead and – on one blown-tackle play (by
Cowboys reserve cornerback Saivion Smith) – wide receiver Diontae
Johnson nearly did the deed and certainly had his way. A 42-yard
gain – down to the Cowboys' 12 – put Dallas in immediate red zone
pain. Just one more score would make the Cowboys' lead something to
shelve.
Moments later, Big Ben would hit his tight end Ebron who would
easily vault over – the man, the myth – cornerback Saivion Smith.
24-19 was the score, but Saivion deflected Roethlisberger's
two-point conversion, and the Cowboys' offense still, STILL had over
two minutes to correct their three-quarter touchdown aversion.
Gilbert to Cooper. Gilbert desperately to Zeke to avoid another sack
the Steelers would seek. Then – with nowhere to throw on a
seemingly-last-ditch 4th-and-8 – Gilbert WOULD attempt to backpedal
out of brutally-collapsed pocket, but another Steelers sack would
set the Cowboys' fate.
"But, BUT," the Dallas Cowboys still, Still, STILL would not die. It
took but one play to ensure Pittsburgh's game-ending plans would go
awry. Steelers receiver Claypool had a first down at the ready, but
he slid too soon, leaving himself a yard short, making for a
decision mentally unsteady. "And, AND' on the dreaded fourth down,
Randy Gregory broke through the Steelers' o-line at the speed of
sound and dragged running back James Connor to the ground.
Gilbert and Co. had under 40 precious ticks to a touchdown would
click. With the Cowboys at their own 19, Gilbert took the shotgun
snap and wisely rolled away from his protection simply to keep
himself clean. He rolled left, maintained his downfield focus rather
than becoming iffy, and found CeeDee Lamb at the 50. 32 ticks.
Gilbert found Michael Gallup at the 31 with the game almost done. 7
ticks. A quick pass to Cedrick Wilson for 6. 4 ticks. No time for
tricks. Gilbert took the snap on 3rd-and-4, stepped up in the pocket
with the Steelers' d-line – once again – in hot pursuit, and he
fired to Lamb just inside the end zone . . . with that darn
Fitzpatrick guy knocking down the would-be scoring loot.
While 24-19 would be the game day script’s final line, Dallas’
improved effort and execution was a tentatively-promising sign. For
a team already being fitted for their 2021 draft position, it was
heartening for “The Tortured Cowboys Fan” to see more members of the
2020 roster battle against expected, understandable mental
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“DUDE! You said you would no longer take such a blow-by-blow
approach to your Cowboys writing!” – you righteously remind (with
The Tortured Cowboys Fan begging your forgiveness in the face of
such shockingly-competitive fighting so unexpectedly-inviting).
Good Quote Or Garbage Bloat?
“We know that everybody is coming for us. I don’t want to take any
shots at anybody, but if you didn’t know who America’s Team was then
you should’ve seen the stands and all the Terrible Towels. Dallas
might be America’s Team but we are the World’s Team.” – Steelers
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (fairly pointing out how the 2020
Dallas Cowboys – even as scrappy as they would play against a squad
that viewed as prey – thus far over the season are not fulfilling
their well-marketed theme).
“You look at their schedule, and their record might say different,
but clearly by looking at the game [we just played], ain’t nobody
elite. Everybody has a chance to win. We just got to do a better job
in the fourth quarter holding it together.” – DeMarcus Lawrence
(with the contrarian point that the Cowboys’ performance against the
previously-dominating Steelers was good enough to ensure no one in
the league – save the Kansas City Chiefs – should feel too confident
or get their nose unnecessarily out of joint).
Misery Loves Injury
The return of cornerback Chidobe Awuzie will help lessen the (4-6
week) loss of Trevon while he is gone. While Awuzie will surely
display some rust, but the secondary remains the very last place
Mike Nolan’s improving crew can afford to go bust.
Both defensive end Tyrone Crawford and quarterback Andy Dalton have
been cleared to return from the team’s Reserve/Covid-19 list, and it
will be interesting to learn which one of them the team has truly
missed.
After choosing not to partake in the NFL trade deadline cake, the
Cowboys DID pursue at least ONE mod, in signing former Kansas City
Chiefs 2018 second-round pick and defensive end Breeland Speaks to
their practice squad. If-and-when “The Mike’s” feel comfortable
adding Speaks to the game day roster, will his play have quality
production to “say,” or will he remain who the Chiefs viewed as a
stunted imposter? After all, the Las Vegas Raiders – with none other
than defensive line coach Rod Marinelli – took the first bite and
decided Speaks ain’t right. If ANYONE would know, it would be the
former defensive coordinator the Cowboys allowed to go.
Will They Or Won't They?
America's Team visits the "Land Of 10,000 Lakes" this Sunday.
Though both the Cowboys and their host Minnesota Vikings are
completely different (and woefully-underperforming) teams this year,
one team – belonging to the worst division in the NFL – knows they
still, STILL have something at stake that demands quality play.
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Andy Dalton is returning as the starting quarterback, no matter how
well Garrett Gilbert looked against the Steelers’ “statistically
(but not physically?)” top defensive attack. Will Dalton – (always?)
comparatively skittish-looking – be able to get the Cowboys’ offense
similarly cooking?
Speaking of Cooking, will Vikings running back Dalvin be able to repeat his dominating
performance from last year’s dreadful defeat . . . or will a
collective clamp-down by Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith, and
Sean Lee help Nolan’s front line intermittently decleat?
And knowing they must, MUST keep Dalvin from enjoying a duplication
of his Dallas BBQ, will the Cowboys' secondary be made to pay the
aerial price against Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins (who – as
skittish as he, too, can be – will have no inclination to be nice)?
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Will America’s Team have anything new (besides possibly improved
health) to reveal upon exiting their desperately-needed bye week . .
. or will an inability to improve upon two consecutive weeks of
better defensive play come across as undesirably-weak?
Will the Dallas Cowboys suddenly find themselves in the middle of a
near-four-way-tie following their bye?
We shall see. We always do.
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