This will be the first preseason game since 2019. With everything going on in the world, football fans everywhere are just excited to get back to a little bit of normalcy with football season starting up.
Playoffs or Bust
While 2020 was a hectic year, and there were several situations where players were being forced to miss games or quarantined, the Steelers had a decent season. Finishing the regular season 12-4, the Steelers won the AFC North and were the three seed in the playoffs. The Steelers, however, were knocked out in the first round by the division rival Cleveland Browns.
In his 17th season in Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger is back to reclaim the role of starting quarterback. However, for this evening’s game, there will be no sight of Ben on the field. Instead, for the Steelers, we will see the likes of Mason Rudolph and hopefully an emergent Dwane Haskins. The Steelers are taking a chance with Haskins and hoping that they can help him turn his career around.
One big thing to look for will be if the Steelers send out their first-round draft pick Najee Harris. The first running back off the board, late in the first round, Harris looks to bring instant positives to the Steelers backfield. The dual-threat running back becomes an instant game-changer with his catching abilities as well.
NFC East Favorites
Without a doubt, the Cowboys will start as your NFC East favorites this season. The route to the playoffs for Dallas will be much easier than almost every other team in a different division. The only problem is that we are talking about the Cowboys, who have struggled mightily the last few seasons. With the hopes of a healthy season from their big names, the Cowboys look to become more than just the best team in the East.
Dak is back. While we will not see Dak Prescott on the field tonight for Dallas, it is assumed that he will be the week one starter. He is still resting his throwing arm to be conservative with his shoulder, but there is no one else on the team that can run the team like him. With Andy Dalton signing in Chicago, the Cowboys will use most of the preseason reps to find a new backup. Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci, and Cooper Rush will all take snaps.
The Cowboys will also get a look at their number 12 overall pick Micah Parson’s this evening. The rookie linebacker took 2020 off from competing at Penn State during the pandemic, and he was an All-American for his sophomore season. After a great pro day, Parsons was the third defensive player taken in the draft.
Betting Line and Analysis
- Pittsburgh Steelers Moneyline -138
- Dallas Cowboys +118
- Total Points: 32½ Over -110, Under -110
Like all preseason games, this one is basically a coin flip. The only real thing here is that the quarterbacks that Pittsburgh will start with all will have plenty of NFL experience and have been starters at one time.
Free Pick
Pittsburgh Steeler Moneyline -138