The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) are hosting the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) in Week 5. It’s a primetime matchup on “Sunday Night Football” between two historic franchises.
Here are three Steelers who could impact the game the most:
Quarterback Justin Fields
Fields is in line to receive his fifth straight start of the year while quarterback Russell Wilson continues to work his way back from his calf injury.
The No. 11 overall pick in 2021 might be coming off his best performance yet. Despite losing 27-24 to the Indianapolis Colts (2-2), Fields passed for 312 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a team-leading 55 yards and another two scores.
“He damn near took the game over,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said. “When that happens and you feel it with a player, it doesn’t matter what I called. You felt him rolling. That’s what was such a bitter pill to swallow how the game ended.”
He has another chance to make a difference with his legs on Sunday night, as the Cowboys are allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game (145.8) in the NFL.
It could be Fields’ last opportunity to prove he deserves to be the full-time starter, but he revealed he’s not feeling any extra pressure.
“No, not really. I’m just gonna keep doing what I’ve been doing,” he said. “Whatever decision (Mike Tomlin) makes, it is what it is. I can only control what I do on the field.”
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Pittsburgh’s No. 1 priority on defense this week will be to minimize the impact of All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has 20 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns on the year.
Lamb has proven to be very difficult to cover, but Dallas makes that task even more difficult by playing him both outside and inside. That’s why many have questioned whether Porter Jr., who typically follows opposing teams’ No. 1 wide receivers, will do the same with Lamb this week.
“He may have been in our ear,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said when asked if Porter Jr. expressed interest in shadowing Lamb. “We’ll find out on Sunday.”
It would be surprising if Porter Jr. didn’t shadow Lamb for at least a majority of the snaps. If that’s the case, whoever wins that matchup could determine the outcome of the game.
Linebacker T.J. Watt
Watt was held in check last week, as he finished the day with just two tackles.
It was a very uncharacteristic performance by the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who registered 10 tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed through the first three weeks of the season.
However, Austin has a good idea of what caused Watt’s down game.
“The great pass rushers get held. T.J. is going to get held every week, and they’re going to hold him this week,” Austin said. “…Our job is we have to fight through that because that’s stuff that’s out of our control.”
The Cowboys will likely try to get away with the same this week, but it would be very surprising if Watt doesn’t come back with revenge following a disappointing loss. Plus, the NFL’s biggest stars always seem to shine brightest in primetime.
All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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