The Dallas Cowboys were playing with heavy hearts in their first game since the passing of Marshawn Kneeland. America's Team was expected to come out and play hard for their teammate, and they did just that in a 33-16 win against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders.
One of the storylines during the bye week was Brian Schottenheimer opening up the competition at right tackle. This seemingly spelled disaster for veteran Terence Steele, who's been replaced at times throughout the year with second-year pro Nate Thomas.
Even though Crosby got the night started with a strip sack and a fumble recovery for the Raiders, he didn't make too much noise for the rest of the night. Crosby was mostly lined up against Steele, and the sixth-year right tackle was up to the challenge.
Terence Steele wipes away concerns at RT position for the Cowboys for the time being
Steele matched up against Crosby on 16 snaps, including 15 of the 1-v-1 variety. According to Cowboys staff writer Patrik Walker, Steele only allowed two pressures and zero sacks.
The Cowboys chipped Crosby throughout the game, but that's normal behavior for a team going up against one of the NFL's premier pass rushers. Klayton Adams also helped Steele by pulling the guards on the big pass plays to draw Crosby away from Steele. But Steele more than handled his own.
Matching up against Crosby is a challenge enough, but the stakes were higher given that Dallas faced a must-win scenario.
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Steele's pass protection has been up and down this season. And if not for Dak Prescott's composure under pressure, he would be sacked a lot more. But even before the Raiders game, there was one thing saving Steele from getting sent to the bench: his run-blocking.
Appearing on 105.3 The Fan, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said that Schottenheimer would be making a mistake by benching Steele because he's the second-best run blocker on the team. The Cowboys' OL helped pave the way for 114 rushing yards against Las Vegas, and Steele was out there holding his ground against Crosby for the majority of the game.
Even though Thomas has been getting some decent reps this season, Steele made it tough for Schottenheimer to look in a different direction, at least for the time being.