NFL Game Odds: Cowboys vs Steelers SNF | There aren’t many inter-conference rivalries in the National Football League, but the one between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers is an historic one.
They have met three times in Super Bowls (X, XIII and XXX), with the Steelers winning the first two and the Cowboys winning the third. They have met 33 times over the years, with Dallas winning 17 and the Steelers winning 16.
During the 1970s, when the teams met in two super bowls, the rivalry had a lot more pizzazz than it does now, but old-school fans remember the battles.
Nowadays, the teams only play every four years, unless the new 17th cross-conference game ends up pitting them against each other, but this year’s meeting is part of the NFC East-AFC North schedule pairing.
The Cowboys come in with a 2-2 record after escaping New York with a five-point win over the lowly Giants last month.
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1, lost to back up QB-led Indianapolis team; slight favorite at home in prime-time.
Which side should you take? Don’t make any sports betting decisions without reading our predictions.
NFL Game Odds: Cowboys vs Steelers SNF in Week 5 | NFL 2024/25 Season
When: SNF, October 6, 2024, 8:20 pm ET
Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
TV: NBC
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Peacock
Opening NFL Game Odds Subject to Change: Steelers -2.5 / O/U 44 // Dallas +118 / Pittsburgh -145
SNF Why should you bet on the Cowboys for the SNF?
Yes, the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants (both straight up and against the spread) to get back to .500 last Thursday. They had taken two ugly losses, one against New Orleans and the other against Baltimore, both coming at home. Yes, Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes, one to CeeDee Lamb, and now the Cowboys have a seven-game winning streak against the G-men and 14 wins in the NFC East rivalry’s last 15 showdowns.
CeeDee Lamb
There was so much bragging going on that Lamb got flagged for taunting after scoring on a 55-yard catch-and-run from Prescott. On the day, he had seven receptions for 98 yards but is still looking for his first 100-yard receiving game.
Brandon Aubrey made field goals from 40 and 60 yards; his ability to make field goals from extreme distance definitely gives the Cowboys an edge.
However, the Giants possessed the ball for 35:37 of the game, and they had five scoring drives. They had to settle for field goals on all of them, but they got enough stops against Dallas to have a chance to win with a late Hail Mary.
Daniel Jones, who has struggled mightily this season, went 29 of 40 for 281 yards. Malik Nabers had a dozen catches for 115 yards, and Wan’Dale Robinson caught 11 balls for 71 yards.
The Giants were able to push the Dallas defense with their running game and soften it up for Jones to make key pass completions down the field…until they got into the red zone, where things got tougher for them.
What they need…
If the Cowboys can work that same bend-but-don’t-break defense against the Steelers, then they have a chance to win, but they should also expect a tougher defense from Pittsburgh than what they saw in New York.
^ZEEEEEEKE
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 3, 2024
Last time in Pittsburgh, @EzekielElliott took it 83 yards to the house 🏡
📺: #DALvsPIT 10/6 on NBC pic.twitter.com/HBKQAmPucG
Why should you put your money on the Steelers in this SNF?
It was Pittsburgh’s loss to Indianapolis all that bad? It’s not like the Colts were rolling out Davis Mills or Tom Tupa at quarterback after Anthony Richardson went down, first after a big blow to his right hip and then after a blow to the head. Instead, it was 17-year veteran Joe Flacco who took the field. (And while we’re talking about Richardson’s injuries, let’s remember that he started four games last year as a rookie – and didn’t finish any of them.
Why on earth do the Colts keep exposing him on designed runs when they have Jonathan Taylor to carry the ball? Richardson’s cannon arm is why the Colts drafted him, so it seems like they should protect him in the pocket and let him wreak havoc on the opposition, instead of exposing him to more chances for injury.) Richardson had the team rolling on offense, and the Colts had the Steelers down, 17-0, in the first half.
Joe Flacco
Flacco came on and went 16 of 26 for 168 yards with two touchdown passes, and the 39-year-old did just enough to preserve the win. The Colts got a key stop in the last minute of regulation to hold onto the three-point victory.
Flacco’s success wasn’t a surprise – he played well for Cleveland last year, guiding them into the postseason as their fifth starting quarterback of the campaign.
Justin Fields
But back to the Steelers. Fields turned things on after halftime, running for two touchdowns and then throwing a TD pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth to make the score 27-24 with 3:40 left on the clock.
However, a bad snap on the last possession led to a 12-yard loss, and the Steelers could not move the chains after that. Fields ended up going 22 of 34 for 312 yards and also ran 10 times for 55 yards. However, he took four sacks and lost a fumble, one of two turnovers on the day.
George Pickens had seven catches for 113 yards but also dropped a fumble. If you like the Steelers to win on Sunday night, you see them improving their ball security.
Dallas’ defense struggles to get stops, but they are opportunistic when it comes to forcing turnovers.
^Backyard Ben 🎯 #TBT
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 4, 2024
📺: #DALvsPIT 10/6 at 8:20 PM ET on NBC pic.twitter.com/abEaY4zAd8
Cowboys vs Steelers SNF Final Score and Prediction | NFL Game Odds
Expect to see Justin Fields back out there at quarterback as Russell Wilson remains limited in practice through Thursday. Tailback Jaylen Warren has knee and hamstring issues and is not likely to play after missing practice again Thursday.
With Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) getting carted off during the Colts game, that stacks a lot of pressure on Najee Harris.
Outside linebacker Nick Herbig is slated to start in place of Alex Highsmith. He was a limited participant in practice on Thursday.
Defensive tackles Keeanu Benton and Larry Ogunjobi were also limited participants; if they can’t go, that makes life a little easier for the beleaguered Dallas running game.
Injuries
Perhaps the biggest name on the Dallas injury report is wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who developed an infection in his right knee after a surgical procedure he had after the win in New York.
Two cornerbacks were limited in practice on Thursday – All-Pro Trevon Diggs (ankle) and rookie Caelen Carson (shoulder). Linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) will not play against Pittsburgh.
Tailback Ezekiel Elliott was curiously limited in practice due to dehydration, and the team does not have plans to play Dalvin Cook at this point, which means that Rico Dowdle will carry the bulk of the Dallas running game.
Keep an Eye
The Cowboys have the potential to win in Pittsburgh if the Steelers make mistakes with the ball and Dallas matches their energy levels.
Despite recent disappointing performances, Dallas was expected to dominate the Giants after previous lopsided victories.
However, the Cowboys only narrowly defeated the less talented Giants, showing room for improvement, before facing the Steelers.
The Steelers have never had a losing record under head coach Mike Tomlin, and one way to avoid losing records is to keep losses from turning into losing streaks. I expect the Steelers to make the necessary adjustments, but I’m not sure, I have the same expectation for Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys.
I predict a final score of Pittsburgh 24, Dallas 20.
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