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The Pittsburgh Steelers risk going below .500 on the season facing the NFC’s best on Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys ride a seven-game winning streak into Pittsburgh, but they’re a three-point underdog on the road at Heinz Field.
Of course, the big question in this matchup will be Pittsburgh’s ability to slow down Ezekiel Elliot. The former Buckeye is averaging five yards per carry as a rookie, and has at least 90 yards rushing in six straight games. The Steelers rushing defense is average compared to the rest of the NFL, but they have been strong on third down.
Teams are only converting 36.4 percent on third down against Steelers, and that could be a key for Sunday’s matchup. Third down is where Dak Prescott has thrived, using both his legs and playaction passing to keep defenses guessing.
The Steelers offense can be prolific at home, and this week’s practice reports bode well for the home team. Ben Roethlisberger was only expected to be a limited participant in practice this week, but was able to fully participate by Wednesday.
If the Steelers can get Prescott to make a mistake early and grab the lead, they could shut down the run game and end the Cowboys’ winning streak. With the way both teams have been moving the ball, the over could be one of Sunday’s best bets.
Heavy’s Pick: Cowboys 24 Steelers 30, Steelers -2.5. Over on the Point Total (50).