Sunday Night Football Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers Odds and Picks

At the start of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers had the longest betting odds to win the AFC North. However, Mike Tomlin has done it once again. Pittsburgh is atop the division at the end of the month, and the Steelers are favored to move to 4-1 on Sunday Night Football when they take on the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas is in a tough spot due to some major injuries, but Pittsburgh hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with an offense that is averaging just 18.8 PPG.

Week 5 Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers

Dallas Cowboys +2.5

Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5

Total 44

We haven’t seen much movement in terms of the odds on the sides in this game. Pittsburgh was initially a two-point favorite, and there has been a touch of movement in favor of the Steelers. However, there has been plenty of movement on the total. We have seen the over/under move three points from 41 to 44 over the course of the week. 

Dallas Cowboys Overview

Dak Prescott finally got paid before the start of the season. Prescott is coming off the best season of his career, but he has taken a small step back since signing his massive extension. He has completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,072 yards (7.2 YPA) with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

CeeDee Lamb has been his best receiver with 20 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns. However, there hasn’t been a solid second option. Jalen Tolbert is averaging just 40 YPG, and Brandin Cooks is out.

The biggest problem though has been the total lack of a ground game. Dallas ranks in the bottom three in all rushing categories, averaging just 3.5 YPC and 75.3 YPG on the ground. Ezekiel Elliott has not made any real difference, and this offensive line is a shadow of what it was just a couple years ago.

This Dallas defense might be without its three best defenders in this game. DeMarcus Lawrence is on injured reserve with a foot injury, Micah Parsons is considered very doubtful to play because of an ankle issue, and top cornerback Trevon Diggs is questionable with an ankle injury. Fellow starting cornerback Caelen Carson (a 5th round draft pick from Wake Forest this year) is also banged up, so there are real concerns on this side of the ball. The Cowboys rank 27th (26.0 PPG) in scoring defense and 26th (355.3 YPG) in total defense so they might be in a world of trouble.

Pittsburgh Steelers Overview

Justin Fields has done everything that Pittsburgh has asked him to do under center. Fields was brought in alongside Russell Wilson and ended up as the somewhat surprise starter after Wilson injured his calf in the last preseason game. He hasn’t been tasked with much given the strength of this team is the defense, and his mandate has largely been not to turn the ball over. Fields has successfully answered that by completing 70.6% of his passes for 830 yards (7.6 YPA) with three touchdowns and an interception.

George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth are the top targets in the passing game, while Calvin Austin III has been a big play threat. Cordarrelle Patterson continues to thrive in a hybrid role, but the ground game hasn’t been too effective. Najee Harris is averaging just 3.4 YPC, and the Steelers don’t have a run longer than 21 yards on the season.

Pittsburgh’s defense has been excellent this season. The Steelers are ranked in the top four in scoring defense (13.3 PPG) and total defense (261.8 YPG). T.J. Watt is one of the favorites to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and Cameron Heyward, Patrick Queen, and Minkah Fitzpatrick have been excellent. The only starter that is set to miss this game is Alex Highsmith, but Pittsburgh has depth at linebacker.

Sunday Night Football Prediction

This is a great matchup for Pittsburgh. The Steelers should be able to make the Cowboys completely one-dimensional, and the lack of threats in the passing game means they can focus on shutting down Lamb. Look for Pittsburgh to control the clock and put the clamps on Dallas.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 20, Dallas 13