PITTSBURGH — One way or another, Sunday night was going to be memorable for Dak Prescott. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback spent Saturday night with some teammates, head coach Mike McCarthy and several of McCarthy’s family members, getting a tour of the coach’s hometown.
Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was then delayed an hour and 25 minutes because of inclement weather.
“With the delays, one of those games you’ll never forget it,” Prescott said. “I just kept saying, ‘Let’s make it one to remember.’ I think we did that.”
Missing key starters DE Micah Parsons, DE DeMarcus Lawrence and WR Brandin Cooks, the Cowboys needed a big night from Prescott. Through three and a half quarters, it looked like he was going to be the reason Dallas lost. Two interceptions and a lost fumble were exactly what the host Steelers needed from Prescott.
But he saved his best for last, orchestrating a 15-play touchdown drive in the final five minutes as the Cowboys escaped with a 20-17 win at Acrisure Stadium. It was Prescott’s 23rd career game-winning drive, fifth-most among quarterbacks since his rookie season in 2016.
“Thank God for the opportunity,” he said. “I love being in (that situation).”
What made the final offensive series even more impressive is that the Steelers did a good job taking away CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ top offensive weapon. Prescott is known for not forcing the ball to one receiver. He looks for the most advantageous matchup on each play. On the game-winning drive, Prescott connected with Lamb once, but he also found TE Jake Ferguson, fullback Hunter Luepke and WR Jalen Tolbert, who was on the receiving end of the game-winner on fourth-and-goal from Pittsburgh’s 4-yard line.
The key to the final score was the defensive attention on Lamb allowed Tolbert to drag his defender through a group of players in the middle of the field. Enough separation was created to give Prescott a window to fit a precise throw into a spot where only Tolbert could make a play.
Dak Prescott on his game-winning TD pass to Jalen Tolbert: “It’s one of our most comfortable plays. It was special to get it back to Tolbert. He did a great job coming across the field, getting open. Offensive line did a great job on that play of allowing me to stay in the… pic.twitter.com/748IVqYZXR
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 7, 2024
“We practice that a lot,” Prescott said of their final two-minute drill. “Probably more than any team in the league, so we’re all very comfortable in that situation with the plays being called. … There was never a doubt in my mind.”
Things got a little uncomfortable on second-and-goal from the 1 as Prescott handed to RB Rico Dowdle, who carried six times for 21 yards on the final series. Dowdle attempted to leap over the pile but was met in the air by Steelers LB Elandon Roberts and the ball was knocked loose. Prescott quickly dove, beating Pittsburgh safety Miles Killebrew to the ball.
“They always stress, follow the ball,” Prescott said. “More than ever that’s the reason why. Just examples of things from practice coming up over and over again.”
Dallas was moving the ball well all night, only punting once. But the three Prescott turnovers allowed the Steelers to keep things close. The Cowboys outgained Pittsburgh 445-226, which included Prescott throwing for 352 yards.
Dak Prescott didn’t have his best game, but he made the big plays when needed most. Cowboys improve to 3-2 pic.twitter.com/AK8BOXPtme
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 7, 2024
Prescott’s two interceptions were somewhat confusing in real time. The first was a miscommunication with Lamb in the left corner of the end zone. Lamb looked like he was expecting a jump ball further in the end zone. Prescott threw to the front. The second interception was a deep shot to Tolbert where Prescott just appeared to overthrow his receiver.
“I told him, perseverance, that’s all we need at QB,” Lamb said. “He’s the epitome of that, everything he’s been able to overcome off the field and on the field.”
Prescott’s only other game at Pittsburgh was during his rookie season in 2016. The Cowboys also won that day, 35-30. That win helped Dallas improve to 8-1. The Cowboys improved to 3-2 Sunday night, with all three wins coming on the road. The last time Dallas started with three consecutive road wins: 2016.
Prescott improved to 26-11 (.703) in prime-time games. He is one of four quarterbacks with a winning percentage of .700 or higher in prime-time starts since 1970 (minimum 25 starts). The others are Steve Young (.767, 23-7), Joe Montana (.733, 22-8) and Peyton Manning (.723, 47-18).
While leaving the field Sunday night, Prescott had a brief interaction with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin that was picked up by NBC cameras.
“Much respect, sir,” Tomlin said.
Regardless of what happened during the first three and a half quarters, Prescott’s play in the final minutes made the difference. That was a good sign for a banged-up Cowboys team that needed momentum heading into next week’s game against the 3-1 Detroit Lions.
“Composure is a huge strength of his,” McCarthy said. “He’s the same man every day. The way he works, the way he competes, he doesn’t blink. He doesn’t dwell on mistakes. He never blinked one time during that game. There was never a doubt that we were going to go down and score.”
(Photo: Barry Reeger / Imagn Images)
