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Week 14 Game Recap: Dallas Cowboys 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 20
What you need to know
| Dallas Cowboys |
QB Ben Roethlisberger was unable to take advantage of good early field position and the turnovers his defense was able to generate for him early. His completion percentage was very low in the first half, apparently affected by the cold weather and windy conditions. He only had 63 yards at the break. In the second half, Roethlisberger was more effective and led a clutch drive to tie the game with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Dallas's defense predominantly kept both safeties deep, so Roethlisberger was able to work the middle of the field with the tight end and slot receivers. Overall, Roethlisberger could not get much time most of the game to make any big downfield throws, getting sacked five times.
RB Willie Parker got the start and was very tentative in the first half. He was held in check for most of the half and had just 14 yards on eight carries at the break. He was held to just 25 rushing yards in the game and was no better in the second stanza. RB Mewelde Moore was clearly the more effective back in fewer opportunities. Moore was also a factor out of the backfield where he connected four times with Roethlisberger. It is looking like a committee approach for the Steelers down the stretch this season.
WR Santonio Holmes played a very solid game working the sideline patterns. Ben Roethlisberger was able to find Holmes on a deep pass for 47 yards on a third and long that may have saved the game for Pittsburgh. He ended up with 82 yards. He had two other looks in the red zone and either one of those would have given him great final numbers. He also had a few good punt returns if your league awards special team yards.
| Pittsburgh Steelers |
QB Tony Romo was unable to sustain any drives early in the game but did get his team down the field for a field goal which tied the game at halftime. He connected on half of his passing attempts in the first half, but that only resulted in 91 yards. This was directly related to how effective the Steelers' pass rush was and the tight coverage on Cowboys wide receivers. The Cowboys made a few adjustments at halftime and Romo was able to avoid sacks in the second half, by staying with shorter routes to his checkdowns. His overall numbers were sub par, with just over 200 yards against three interceptions.
RB Tashard Choice, starting in place of an injured Marion Barber, was semi-effective at the first half with 44 yards on 12 carries. He was even better in the second half in both the running and passing games. The rookie gained more yards than any running back has against the top ranked Steelers' defense. Dallas was very determined to keep the ball on the ground. Choice proved to be effective as a replacement, with 88 yards rushing on 23 carries and had 78 receiving. He ended up with 166 total yards.
WR Terrell Owens was held without a catch in the first half. He did finally connect with Romo on a touchdown in the early third quarter when he outfought a Steelers defender in the end zone. He added a few more catches but ended up with only 32 yards.
What you ought to know
| QB Tony Romo, Pass: 19 - 36 - 210 - 1 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 1 - 6 - 0 |
Romo was not his usual self in the game, coming off a broken finger and also was affected by the tough playing conditions. He was not able to avoid the turnovers and gave Pittsburgh the ball four times. His hand got stepped on early in the game and that may have contributed to his problems. He was high on many throws, but also his receivers did not seem to help, running the wrong pattern more than a few times. One key mistake by TE Jason Witten led to a critical interception that sealed the game for Pittsburgh. Romo looked as if the cold weather may have affected his game.
| RB Tashard Choice, Rush: 23 - 88 - 0, Rec: 5 - 78 - 0 (8 targets) |
Choice played well all day, given he is only a rookie. The team's offensive line was able to control the line of scrimmage and he made the most of it. Even against the tough Steelers' rush defense, Choice was able to break a few tackles and showed some elusiveness that made others miss. He had a significant role in the passing game on swing passes, one of which he took down the sideline for a big 50 yard gain in the first half.
| WR Terrell Owens, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0, Rec: 3 - 32 - 1 (8 targets) |
Owens was only able to connect for 32 yards from QB Tony Romo in the second half after being shutout early on. His longest reception was just 12 yards. He was used a running play for a short gain. Noticeable was high number of incomplete passes, two of which were picked off, but that was more a function of Romo trying to force the ball rather than Owens's hands.
| WR Roy Williams, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (6 targets) |
Williams was not a major part of the offense, despite getting the ball thrown to him a reasonable amount. In the first half, he beat single coverage for a first down. In the second half, he got another along the sideline. The lack of another dynamic threat to Owens is a contributor to the Cowboys' offensive struggles in the second half of the season.
| WR Patrick Crayton (1 targets) |
Crayton did not have a catch.
| TE Jason Witten, Rec: 6 - 62 - 0 (9 targets) |
Witten connected on five catches for 53 yards the first half. He was a major target for Romo for much of the game and that showed in his overall numbers. However, poor communication with his quarterback resulted in a costly interception and another incomplete pass which sealed the loss. Also of note was Witten missed a few plays in each half with injuries. Owners should keep an eye out for that report this week.
| PK Nick Folk 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points |
Folk connected on a 44 yard field goal and another 33 yarder along with an extra point. He had no other opportunities.
| DAL Rush Defense |
The Steelers posted less than three yards rushing per play. Dallas was able to contain RB Mewelde Moore and Willie Parker all day. LB Brady James was a force. A key goal line stand held Pittsburgh scoreless early in the fourth quarter and appeared to give Dallas the game. Their defense played well enough to win today.
| DAL Pass Defense |
The Cowboys' pass rush was quite effective until late in the game and the Steelers' passing game struggled to move the ball in the entire first half. Things changed in the fourth quarter, just enough to deny Dallas the game. DE DeMarcus Ware got a sack, one of five his unit registered today and had a few more pressures.
| QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pass: 17 - 33 - 204 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 5 - 17 - 0 |
It was said before the game that a lingering shoulder injury to Roethlisberger was mostly cleared up. His play did nothing to prove that. He was unable to move the ball effectively during the first half and absent any passing rhythm for most of the game. He did regain his rhythm in the fourth quarter and was able to spread the ball to his wideouts and tight end. The most significant drive was late in the game and he showed good mobility and was able to find WR Nate Washington twice, the second time was down to the eight yard line. Roethlisberger then went to TE Heath Miller for a touchdown to tie the game. His patience was tested but he avoided forcing the ball into tight coverage for the most part. On the down side, the sacks and serious hits that have been a constant for him along the way this season were back and he held the ball way too long.
| RB Willie Parker, Rush: 12 - 25 - 0 (1 targets) |
Parker has not been the same player since he has returned from a slate of injuries a few weeks ago. He ended up with only 25 rushing yards and did not catch a pass. Parker's overall numbers reflect the fact that his speed is gone for the past few games and cannot get the edge, his usual main weapon. He is not on the field when the Steelers' offense moves the ball and HC Mike Tomlin has a big decision to make about Parker's future role.
| RB Mewelde Moore, Rush: 5 - 22 - 0, Rec: 4 - 36 - 0 (6 targets) |
Moore did not get another start and came off the bench. He ended up with 58 total yards and just missed a touchdown catch when a perfectly called screen pass deflected off a rusher. Moore's overall numbers were slightly deceiving as he made some key plays during the few times the Steelers' offense moved the ball well. Moore was involved in the passing game as usual. He could be the starter if Parker's effectiveness remains in question. Moore had been the most effective back for the Steelers this season.
| WR Nate Washington, Rec: 4 - 58 - 0 (8 targets) |
WR Nate Washington did most of his damage in the second half. The Cowboys' secondary took Washington away for much of the game on deep passes, but he came through on a scoring drive late in the game, showing improved hands. He reeled in a clutch catch on the on the final drive which lead to the Steelers' only offensive TD.
| WR Santonio Holmes, Rec: 3 - 82 - 0 (7 targets) |
Holmes was the most targeted player for Roethlisberger in the red zone (twice), but could not connect on his opportunities close to the goal line. His impressive speed was on display as he hauled in a long pass beating DB Anthony Henry down the sideline. Holmes draws most of the defense's attention throughout of the game and has had uneven success beating it this season. His breakout game seems just around the corner frustrating his fantasy owners.
| WR Hines Ward, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (4 targets) |
Hines Ward had only a few balls thrown his way and caught only one pass. Despite this week's outing, Ward is typically the most consistent option in the passing game for Pittsburgh.
| TE Heath Miller, Rec: 3 - 20 - 1 (4 targets) |
TE Heath Miller made the most of his limited opportunities in the passing game. The Cowboys lost track of him on a flat pass and he carried a defender into the end zone.
| PK Jeff Reed 2 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points |
Reed hit a 41 yard field goal and another 24 yarder and two XP's. He had one other FG opportunity and missed from 45 yards.
| PIT Rush Defense |
The Steelers gave up 95 total yards rushing, with 88 of it to a rookie running back. Some of that can be attributed to the size of the Dallas offensive line, but the Steelers' run defense had been playing well all season, so this was not a typical performance.
| PIT Pass Defense |
The Pittsburgh pass rush was a major factor in the game, recording three sacks, and several other QB pressures, mostly from OLB James Harrison who also forced a fumble. The Cowboys did adjust and protected Tony Romo a little better in the second half. Steelers' pass defense was also quite effective in getting a hand on many balls to generate three interceptions, one of which DB Deshea Townsend returned for touchdown.
