And boy, did the Cowboys make it memorable.
In an exhilarating finish, Prescott threw a crucial 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen Tolbert with just 20 seconds left on the clock. That pass sealed a 20-17 win over the Steelers, a win that was not only a big one for the Cowboys' season but also carried extra significance for a number of reasons. It kept the Cowboys (now 3-2) just within striking distance of the Washington Commanders (4-1) in the NFC East and marked Dallas’s third win on the road—an impressive stat, considering it’s their best start away from home since Prescott’s rookie season in 2016.
Now let’s talk about coach Mike McCarthy, who also had a personal victory on his hands. This wasn’t just any win for him. Despite his illustrious career, including a Super Bowl XLV victory as coach of the Green Bay Packers against these very Steelers, McCarthy had never defeated Pittsburgh during the regular season. In fact, he was 0-4 against them in previous matchups, with those games being decided by margins of 1, 7, 3, and 5 points. But that night, the scoreboard told a different story. For the first time, McCarthy could walk out of his hometown stadium with his head held high. And you could see the emotion on his face as he walked out with his parents, Joe and Ellen, to greet family and friends. “It feels great,” he said. "This is the first time I've been part of a victory here. But -- and I do mean this -- at the end of the day, this is about the players."
His humility was apparent as he continued, "This is a players' game. I'm blessed to be a part of the NFL for as long as I've been. I have tremendous respect for this organization, but, yeah, this game is about the players. These guys poured it out there. Both sides." For McCarthy, the victory was made even sweeter when his players presented him with the game ball, a first in his career. It was a touching gesture that clearly meant the world to him.
Prescott, always quick to sing the praises of his coach, chimed in with his own thoughts. "That's a guy that, I mean, I know how I feel about him. Love him. Great head coach. He's very, very proud to be from Pittsburgh. Greenfield at that. And you hear it anytime anything comes up with references from this place." Prescott had spent time with McCarthy’s family the night before the game, making the moment even more special. "It was really special," he said. "Got to stop by his parents' house, spend some time with him and them."
But let’s not sugarcoat things. The game wasn’t flawless by any stretch of the imagination. Prescott struggled at times, turning the ball over three times—two interceptions and a fumble, with two of those turnovers occurring in the red zone, costing the Cowboys some serious points. On top of that, a field goal attempt was blocked, and the team was penalized 11 times for a total of 87 yards. Those aren’t numbers any coach wants to see, but in the face of adversity, Prescott and his team showed their grit.
With just under five minutes left in the game, Prescott had a shot at redemption. It was the moment he lives for—the chance to lead a game-winning drive. And he did just that, notching the 23rd fourth-quarter or overtime game-winning drive of his career. "Composure is a huge strength of his," McCarthy said, clearly impressed with his quarterback's ability to stay cool under pressure. "He's the same man every day. The way he works, the way he competes, yeah, he doesn't blink. He doesn't dwell on mistakes."
Prescott's resilience was on full display during that final drive. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 46 yards and ran for 3 more. Perhaps the most critical moment of that drive came when Prescott managed to recover a fumble at the 4-yard line—talk about a heads-up play. After the Steelers called a timeout with 26 seconds left, McCarthy adjusted the personnel and formation to ensure Prescott had the protection he needed. That decision paid off in a big way.
The hero of the moment, Jalen Tolbert, wasn’t even supposed to be in the spotlight that night. With Brandin Cooks out due to injury, Tolbert stepped in and made the play of the game. Running across the field with DeShon Elliott glued to him, Tolbert managed to break free just enough to haul in Prescott’s pass and cross the goal line, giving the Cowboys the lead with only 20 seconds remaining. “I love being in that," Prescott said after the game. "We practice it a lot. You're pissed at yourself for the turnovers, for the interceptions, but when I realize I have the ball, down 4 with an opportunity to score, with enough time, plenty of time, that’s all I can ask for."
The Cowboys came into this game with a long list of injuries, missing key players like Cooks, defensive ends Micah Parsons (high ankle sprain), and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot injury). To make matters worse, they lost two more of their top draft picks—left tackle Tyler Guyton and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland—due to knee injuries in the first half. The offensive line was patched together, with guard Tyler Smith sliding over to tackle and Zack Martin leaving the game due to cramping. By the end, they were relying on Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe, and T.J. Bass to hold down the fort.
On the defensive side, the situation was equally dire. Linebackers were being prepared to play defensive end, and practice-squad elevation Amani Oruwariye found himself starting at cornerback. Yet despite these challenges, the Cowboys pulled through. "I just think the resiliency of our football team was on display tonight," McCarthy said proudly.
In the end, this game was about more than just a win. It was about overcoming adversity, playing for something bigger, and creating a memory that will last a lifetime for Prescott, McCarthy, and the entire Cowboys team. They may not have played a perfect game, but they played one they’ll never forget. And for fans watching at home, it’s a game that will be remembered for its drama, its emotion, and its heart.
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