Cowboys' Dak Prescott delivers last-minute win against Steelers

PITTSBURGH — As lightning lit up the sky outside Acrisure Stadium, delaying the start of Sunday night's game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, Dak Prescott had a message for his teammates.

“I said it before the game started, like we wouldn't forget it anyway,” said Prescott, who ate a protein waffle, stretched and did some exercises while waiting. “With the delays, with everything that's happened, it's one of those games. I don't care how long you play, you'll never forget it. I just kept saying, 'Let's make it an unforgettable experience.' I think we’ve done that through all the ups, downs, ups and downs.”

Prescott threw the game-winning touchdown pass – a 4-yarder to Jalen Tolbert – with 20 seconds left, giving the Cowboys a decisive 20-17 win over the Steelers. It allowed the Cowboys (3-2) to stay above .500 and stay close on the heels of the Washington Commanders (4-1) in the NFC East. It was also the Cowboys' third road win of the season and marked their best road start since Prescott's rookie year in 2016.

Additionally, it was coach Mike McCarthy's first regular season win against the Steelers, his hometown team. While McCarthy holds the trump card as coach of the Green Bay Packers with a win in Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers, the Steelers were the only team he coached against multiple times and didn't beat (0-4).

The four games were decided by 1, 7, 3 and 5 points.

“It feels great,” said McCarthy, who left the stadium with his parents Joe and Ellen to a waiting group of family and friends. “It's the first time I've been part of a victory here. But – and I mean it – ultimately it's about the players. This is a game of players. I'm blessed.” “I've been a part of the NFL for so long, but yeah, this game is about the players.”

After the victory, McCarthy received the game ball from the players. He said it was the first time he had received in his career.

“That’s a guy, I mean, I know how I feel about him,” Prescott said. “I love him. Great head coach. He's very, very proud to be from Pittsburgh. Greenfield at that. And you always hear it when someone finds references from this place. That's why I had to do a little tour (Saturday evening). ) and look at some of the territories he was talking about, paint the picture in my head. It was really special to stop by his parents and spend some time with him and them.

It wasn't a perfect game for the Cowboys. Prescott turned the ball over three times with two interceptions and a fumble. Two of the turnovers occurred in the red zone and cost the Cowboys points. A field goal attempt was blocked. They were penalized 11 times for 87 yards.

But with 4:56 left to play in the fourth quarter, Prescott had a chance to deliver his 23rd game-winning drive while trailing or tied in his career.

“Composure is a big strength of his,” McCarthy said of his quarterback, who threw for 352 yards on 29 of 42 passes. “He’s the same man every day. The way he works, the way he competes, yeah, he doesn't blink. He doesn’t worry about mistakes.”

Prescott completed five of seven passes for 46 yards on the game-winning drive. He ran for 3 yards and most notably recovered a fumble at the 4-yard line. After the Steelers called a timeout with 26 seconds left, McCarthy changed personnel and formation so that Prescott would have provided more protection.

Tolbert, starting for the injured Brandin Cooks, made his way down the field with DeShon Elliott on his hip, but managed to get across the goal line for Prescott's pass with 20 seconds left.

“I love being in it. We practice it a lot,” Prescott said. “You get mad at yourself because of the turnovers, because of the interceptions, but when I realize that I have the ball, I was down by 4 points and had the chance to score with enough time, a lot of time, then that's it , what I could wish for.”

The Cowboys entered the game without Cooks, Micah Parsons (high ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and lost their top draft picks, left tackle Tyler Guyton and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, to knee injuries in the first half.

Guyton's absence prompted guard Tyler Smith to attack. When Zack Martin had to leave because of cramps, the Cowboys had Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe and TJ Bass as their three interior offensive linemen.

On defense, the Cowboys prepared the linebackers for the role of defensive end and had Amani Oruwariye start as a cornerback for the practice squad.

“I just think,” McCarthy said, “the resilience of our football team was clearly shown tonight.”