Two of the top franchises in sports clash again this week in Pittsburgh.
The Dallas Cowboys (2-2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) meet for the first time since 2020 and add to their rich history and all-time series. Dallas is dealing with injuries around their defensive front and the Steelers are dealing with a few missing pieces on their offensive line.
Here are the 10 most notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Sunday's 7:20 CT kickoff on NBC.
Here are the 10 most notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Sunday's 7:20 CT kickoff on NBC.
Dallas Dominates the Division
The Cowboys secured their first NFC East win of 2024 against the Giants. Since head coach Mike McCarthy arrived in 2020, the Cowboys are a dominant 18-7 against the NFC East. Third-most wins by a franchise against their division over that time period, trailing only Buffalo (20) and Kansas City (19).
Stopped the Bleeding
Dallas witnessed quite the improvement in the run defense from week-to-week. Dallas went from allowing 464 rushing yards in back-to-back games, to permitting only 26 yards to New York on just 1.08 yards per attempt. That's the six-lowest rushing total allowed in franchise history, and the lowest since 2015 against Philadelphia (0.58).
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Week 4 was the first of two-straight Thursday meetings with the New York Giants as the two are scheduled to clast again on Thanksgiving. It's only the third time in league history that two teams have met on Thursday multiple times. Joining the 1926 Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals, along with the 2023 Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
Dak is Still Dealing
Dak Prescott finished Week 4 with a 82 percent completion rate and a 125.5 passer rating. His sixth game completing at least 80-percent of his passes and finishing with a 120-plus rating. This matches Tony Romo for the most games reaching both of those marks in Cowboys history.
Consistency of the Lamb
CeeDee Lamb has tallied 37 consecutive games with at least four receptions, the third-longest streak in NFL history. Only Michael Thomas (43) and Julio Jones (38) put together longer streaks in their careers. The last time that Lamb was held to under four grabs was the season opener against Tampa Bay in 2022, where he was limited to two catches on 11 targets.
Ferguson only Trails Witten's Pace
Jake Ferguson added seven receptions on Thursday, eclipsing the 100-reception mark for his career. He's the second tight end in Cowboys history to record 100-receptions in his first 36 career games, joining Jason Witten. Witten had 145 receptions for 1,588 yards and eight touchdowns. Where Ferguson has 106 grabs for 1,094 yards and seven scores.
Recent and Past History with Pittsburgh
Dallas and Pittsburgh will meet for just the fifth time since the turn of the century. Pittsburgh has won three of those five matchups, while each game has been decided by just one possession.
Field(s) of Dreams
Justin Fields is coming off another well-rounded performance, despite a loss in Indianapolis. He holds the longest active streak with six-straight games above a 90-plus passer rating, dating back to the final two games last season. In the Week 4 loss, he became just the 9th quarterback in NFL history to have over 300 yards passing, a passing touchdown, over 50 yards rushing, with two rushing touchdowns.
The 200-Club
Even though Dallas has struggled to run the ball this season, the last two players to tally for over 200 scrimmage yards against the Steelers are both on the Cowboys roster. Ezekiel Elliott was the first to do so in 2016, the last time Dallas went to Pittsburgh. He finished with 114 rushing yards and 95 receiving yards in the 35-30 instant classic. The only other player to achieve 200 was Dalvin Cook, with 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Week 14 of 2021.
