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It had been since 2019 that the National Football League had a pre-season match. In 2021, with the official preseason reduced from four to three games, the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers were left with four exhibition games. This fourth game was the annual Hall of Fame game that takes place in Canton, OH to kick off the preseason.
With both teams bursting with potential, their veterans were just spectators on Thursday night, but that didn’t mean there weren’t players fighting for their professional lives.
The Steelers were given the ball to start the game, meaning the offense took hold, although Ben Roethlisberger and several others were watching instead of playing. With Mason Rudolph in the middle, the Steelers had a balanced approach that took them to Dallas territory. But after several runs from Najee Harris and a third reception from Chase Claypool, Rudolph’s transfer to Claypool was dropped and recovered by Dallas.
With short ground, the Cowboys offense was able to create a push along the offensive line, and that ultimately put them in a first baseline situation. However, the pass rush from Pittsburgh, primarily Alex Highsmith, stalled practice and forced a 29-yard field goal.
Hunter Niswander’s kick was good, giving the Cowboys a 3-0 lead.
The Steelers’ ensuing practice saw the Steelers land a first down with a run from Harris, but a third pass passed through the hands of Chase Claypool, resulting in Pressley Harvin’s first move as a professional.
Dallas took over on their own 10-yard line to start the second quarter, and they methodically led the field into the red zone. Faced with another third and a goal, Cassius Marsh was able to free himself and create a strip sack. The field goal attempt was blocked, giving the Steelers their third offensive possession of the game.
The Steelers had their first big play of the game with a 45-yard run from Mason Rudolph to Chase Claypool, but the drive stalled at the 30-yard line.
This forced a 49-yard field goal attempt by Sam Sloman that was badly missed.
With another short field, Dallas faced a 4th and 15. It looked like they had converted the game, but Justin Layne managed to pull the ball out and Antoine Brooks Jr. got the ball back.
The Steelers took over on their own 35-yard line and Dwayne Haskins took over at quarterback for Pittsburgh. After a first rapid descent, the disc stalled. The good news is that rookie punter Pressley Harvin managed to pin Dallas on his own one-yard line.
However, the Steelers defense couldn’t stop the run and saved Dallas some precious time. A brutal passer call to Isaiah Buggs on the third down extended the run and breathed new life into the Cowboys. The Cowboys attempted a 52-yard field goal late in the half, and it was badly missed.
Dallas took a 3-0 halftime lead.
The Cowboys received the ball to start the second half, and with Ben Dinucci in the quarterback, Dallas couldn’t get a first down. On the ensuing punt, Matthew Sexton nearly returned the punt for a touchdown.
Dwayne Haskins stayed in the game and connected with Kevin Rader for a big first down. After an Anthony McFarland run, the Steelers were placed in the red zone for the first time in the game. Two games later, it was Kalen Ballage who dove into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.
Just in time, however, Sam Sloman missed another kick, giving the Steelers a 6-3 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Steelers to retrieve the ball after a pass navigated to Dinucci and intercepted by Donovan Steiner. The Steelers managed to turn takeout into points, but not touchdown. Instead, they settled for a placement from Sloman making the score 9-3.
Before the fourth quarter, the score of 9-3 was held, and after the two teams traded possessions, it was the Steelers who struck next. With Josh Dobbs in the quarterback, the Steelers threw the ball into a first baseline situation. On the 3rd down, Dobbs hit Tyler Simmons for the Steelers’ second touchdown of the game.
After Sloman scored the extra point, the Steelers had a 16-3 lead with 8:44 left in regulation.
After a muffled punt return, the Cowboys returned the ball to Dobbs and the Steelers offense. Although they found themselves in a first-and-goal situation, the Steelers fell short on 4th and returned the ball to Dallas with two minutes remaining. When the dust settled, the score remained at 16-3, in favor of the Steelers.
The win marks the Steelers’ first victory in this preseason, and they are now preparing for another game on Thursday when they travel to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the preseason. the NFL. Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes regarding the Steelers as they prepare for the 2021 regular season.
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