Dak's late TD gives Cowboys 'one to remember'

PITTSBURGH — As lightning outside Acrisar Stadium delayed 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're not going to forget it regardless,” said Prescott, who ate a protein waffle, stretched and did some drills while waiting. “With the delay, with everything that's happened, it's one of those games that I don't care how long you play, you never forget it. I just kept saying, 'Let's make it one to remember.' I think we've made it through all the ups, downs, ebbs and flows.”

Prescott threw the winning touchdown pass — a 4-yarder to receiver Jalen Tolbert — with 20 seconds left to give the Cowboys a crucial 20-17 victory over the Steelers. That allows the Cowboys (3-2) to move above .500 and trail the Washington Commanders (4-1) in the NFC East. It was also the Cowboys' third road win of the season, marking their best start at home since Prescott's rookie year in 2016.

Also, it was coach Mike McCarthy's first regular-season win against the Steelers, in his hometown. Although McCarthy held the trump card as coach of the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers, the Steelers were the only team he coached more than once and went undefeated (0–4).

Four games were settled by 1, 7, 3 and 5 points.

“It feels great,” said McCarthy, who walked out of the stadium with his parents, Joe and Ellen, to a waiting group of family and friends. “This is the first time I've been a part of a win here. But — and I want to say this — at the end of the day, it's about the players. It's a players' game. I'm blessed to be a part of the NFL as long as I've been, but, yeah, this game is about both sides. has.”

McCarthy received the game ball from the players after the win. He said it was the first in his career.

“He's a guy that, I mean, I know how I feel about him,” Prescott said. “Love him. Great head coach. He's so proud to be from Pittsburgh. There's Greenfield. And you hear it every time something comes up with references from this place. So I had to go on a little tour. [Saturday night] And look at some of the stomping grounds he talked about, paint that picture in my head. It was really special, to stop by his parents' house, to spend some time with him and them.”

It wasn't a perfect game by the Cowboys. Prescott turned the ball over three times with two interceptions and a sack. Two of the turnovers came in the red zone, costing the Cowboys points. Their field goal attempt was blocked. They were penalized 11 times for 87 yards.

But with 4:56 left to play, Prescott had a chance to cap the 23rd game-winning drive of his career in the fourth quarter or overtime.

“Composure is a huge strength of his,” McCarthy said of his quarterback, who threw for 352 yards on 42-of-42 passing. “He's the same person every day. The way he works, the way he competes, yeah, he doesn't blink. He doesn't dwell on mistakes.”

Prescott completed 5 of 7 passes for 46 yards on the winning drive. He ran for 3 yards and most importantly recovered a fumble at the 4-yard line. After the Steelers called a timeout with 26 seconds left, McCarthy changed personnel groups and formations to add protection to Prescott.

Tolbert, starting for the injured Brandin Cooks, ran across the field with DeShone Elliott on his hip but was able to cross the goal line for a pass from Prescott with 20 seconds left.

“I love being in it. We practice it a lot,” Prescott said. “You're upset with yourself for turnovers, for interceptions, but when I realize I have the ball, a chance to score, enough time, plenty of time, that's all I can ask for.”

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

Guyton's absence forced guard Tyler Smith to handle. When Zach Martin had to leave due to cramping, the Cowboys had Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe and TJ Bass as their three interior offensive linemen.

On defense, the Cowboys were preparing linebackers to play defensive end and started practice-squad height Amani Oruwarye at cornerback.

“I just think,” McCarthy said, “the resiliency of our football team was on display tonight.”