Dallas Fans: Steel Yourself for a Rough Game

While this writer, like most fans of the Cowboys, can't stop laughing over the Plaxico Saga up in New York, it can only be a small distraction from what should be a long, rough game on Sunday in Pittsburgh. Although football games in the snow are visually exciting, the tough weather conditions generally result in old-school (read: boring) styles of play, with each time running 35-40 times each up the middle for 1-3 yard gains. Thrilling. This contest will most likely be a defensive struggle, and it may not take 20 points to come out with a win. The Steelers have the NFL's top-ranked defense, and Dallas' has been much improved over the past three games. Pittsburgh's offense has been inconsistent this year (despite the 33 they hung on New England last week); the Cowboys are going to be without Marion Barber and Felix Jones, and Roy Williams missed practice on Friday. When you consider all those factors, you get a strong probability of deficient offensive performances by both teams. The weather forecast for Sunday's game calls for strong wind and snow, making it the coldest NFL start of Tony Romo's career. Despite the amazing performances he has turned in since returning from his broken finger, this will be his toughest test of the year (since he missed the first game against the Giants). ON OFFENSE: As one Dallas coach said, "Marion was built for these conditions." Make no mistake, the Cowboys are going to miss Barber immensely on Sunday afternoon. The Steelers are allowing a mere 71 yards rushing per game--and now they get to face rookie Tashard Choice in the backfield. Choice has shown some progress over the season, but he's never had to face an NFL first-string defense, so he, and the team, could be in for quite a tough time on the ground. Consequently, the Cowboys will rely on Romo, Terrell Owens, and Jason Witten to get first downs and control the clock. Quick slants and screens will have to suffice as the "running game" for Dallas. Owens must show the same determination he had against the 49ers and Seahawks; if he doesn't touch the football at least nine times, it means that the Pittsburgh defense can blitz Romo at will. That unit has a whopping 42 sacks, including 14 by James Harrison and 11.5 by LaMarr Woodley. Leonard Davis and Flozell Adams, in particular, must turn in career performances and give Romo 3-5 seconds of calm during which to throw. ON DEFENSE: For Dallas, Bradie James has played phenomenally recently, and his passion has carried over to every man on the field. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 12 interceptions this year and been sacked 33 times. Despite likely being without DeMarcus Ware, the NFL's sack leader, the team needs to put pressure on Roethlisberger and sack him, or, at the very least, force him into errant throws. The Cowboys are allowing only 97 rush yards per game, and the Steelers, as a team, average only 3.7 yards per carry. If the Cowboys can contain Willie Parker and force the Steelers into long yardage situations on second- and third-down, it will force Roethlisberger to win the game with his arm. Despite being 32, Hines Ward is still a very dangerous receiver. Santonio Holmes is also a long-range touchdown threat, so Ken Hamlin will need to provide deep help over the middle to whoever is covering him. OVERALL: Of course, there's a difference between a good defensive contest and two pitiful offenses. The game could be a (boring) defensive struggle because the Cowboys will be missing Barber and Felix Jones. The Steelers are used to playing in the cold, which will be a definite advantage late in a close game. Expect the Dallas defense to play well, but the losses of Barber and Ware mean the team will come up just a bit short. Pittsburgh 17, Dallas 14 Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu