Dallas Cowboys @ Steelers: Five Questions Behind Enemy Lines
The Landry Hat goes behind enemy lines to get the inside scoop on the upcoming Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers matchup with Kim Myers of Still Curtain
One of the great things about working for FanSided is our access to NFL team site experts. In this case, I was able to ask Kim Myers, the editor at our Pittsburgh Steelers site, Still Curtain, some questions about Sunday’s upcoming matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Checkout her answers below to get a view of the upcoming contest from behind enemy lines.
1. What can you tell us about the health status of Ben Roethlisberger and how do you think he’ll play this Sunday against the Cowboys?
I don’t think there’s any question that he’ll play on Sunday. He’s been a full practice participant all week after it was early expected that he may have been limited early on. It was encouraging to see his play in the fourth quarter of last week’s 21-14 loss to Baltimore; he was more mobile and able to play more like the Ben Roethlisberger we know and love.
Unfortunately the game plan against the Ravens was ultra conservative and uncharacteristic of what the Steelers offense succeeds in. They relied too heavily on a run game that just wasn’t happening and Roethlisberger obviously wasn’t confident enough in his knee to check out of those type of plays that already weren’t working.
2. After his suspension and a breakout game in Week Four, running back Le’Veon Bell has been more of a receiving threat than the dominate rusher I think many expected. Can you talk a bit about his struggles as a runner and the fact he hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown yet this season?
Unfortunately, Le’Veon Bell has just posted his worst career numbers against the Ravens. The task of running the ball against the Cowboys defense isn’t going to be much easier than it was against the second-best rushing defense in the league in the Ravens. When Bell struggles the offense struggles so they need to turn this around.
A lot of the decrease in numbers has been due to the fact that the Steelers offense has been so poor on third downs and in the red zone in the last three games. I’m not as concerned about his lack of rushing touchdowns as I am with his yards per carry.
3. What is the Steelers greatest strength and weakness this season?
The Steelers’ greatest strength is always going to be Ben Roethlisberger as long as he’s healthy and able to play his game. The offensive line, when healthy is quite possibly the best unit on the team. Unfortunately, however, the offensive line lacks depth so when you see Maurkice Pouncey go out with a thumb injury you have to instantly start yelling obscenities. Another big weakness apparently is onside kicks and not having punts blocked.
4. Name on unknown player that will shock Cowboys fans this Sunday.
Linebacker Lawrence Timmons might shock Cowboys fans if they see him puke on the field. He does it every game and it can surprise people. It was featured on the Miami loss because he did it right after a Dolphins score. He did it a few years ago against the Houston Texans. It’s pretty gross.
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5. What is your prediction for the game with score?
I predict the Steelers will pull the upset and win this one big. Not because I’m a total and complete homer, which I am, but because the Steelers are the type of team that will stink against a bad Ravens team and then turn around and look like world beaters against a contender. If they were a country they’d be able to invade Russia successfully one week but then get destroyed by Iceland the next week. I’m going with 38-14 Steelers.
The Landry Hat would like to thank Kim Myers and the great folks over at Still Curtain for their time and expertise.