The Sunday Night Football matchup in Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season features the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium. We’ll be diving into all of the primetime games this season, and this one isn’t any different. With that in mind, keep reading for betting odds, picks and player props for this exciting showdown. Also, make sure you head over to our Week 5 NFL Betting Hub for a look at all of our NFL betting content.

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How To Cowboys vs. Steelers

When: Sunday, October 6th at 8:20 pm ET

Where: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Channel: NBC/Peacock

Cowboys vs. Steelers Odds

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday, October 4th. Look around for the best prices!

Moneyline: Steelers -142, Cowboys +120

Spread: Steelers -2.5 (-115), Cowboys +2.5 (-105)

Total: Over 44 (-108), Under 44 (-112)

Cowboys vs. Steelers Analysis

Before allowing only 26 yards on 24 carries against the Giants, the Cowboys had the worst rushing defense in the league. Now, Dallas is up to 23rd in Rush EPA per play allowed (0.062). However, that’s still a bad spot in the rankings and you don’t want to be swayed too much by a dominant performance against New York on a short week. I still have concerns about this defensive line, and that makes it hard to believe in Dallas to cover against this Pittsburgh team.

One of the Steelers’ main weaknesses this season is that they’re 29th in the league in Rush EPA per play (-0.188). However, Pittsburgh should be able to get a little something going on the ground in this one, especially when trying the right side of the Dallas defensive line. And if offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can get the running game going, that would then open things up for Justin Fields and the passing game. Pittsburgh is actually 11th in the NFL in Dropback EPA per play (0.114) and Fields is Pro Football Focus’ eighth-ranked passer. Fields also won’t have to deal with Micah Parsons living in his space, as the Cowboys star is out with an ankle injury. So, he should be able to make some throws in this game, and he’ll definitely use his legs a bunch.

With all of that in mind, it isn’t crazy to expect a pretty good offensive performance from Pittsburgh — even with Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer having a few extra days to prepare for this game. That’s problematic for the Cowboys, as the Steelers are sixth in the NFL in EPA per play allowed (-0.138). This is one of the best defenses in football, and that doesn’t change just because Pittsburgh struggled with Indianapolis last week.

This Steelers defense is especially tough against the run, as they’re third in the NFL in Rush EPA per play allowed (-0.235). They should have no trouble slowing down a nonexistent Cowboys running game. And if that’s the case, Dak Prescott is going to have some trouble picking apart the secondary. Not only is Pittsburgh 10th in Dropback EPA per play allowed (-0.075) this season — meaning the team is actually quite good against the pass — but the Steelers have arguably the best pass rusher in the league in defensive end T.J. Watt. And if it becomes obvious that the Cowboys are throwing, Watt will tee off on Prescott. He already has 3.0 sacks this season and he has a pass rushing grade of 90.7 at PFF.

Also, under Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys are 0-7 against the spread when facing teams with winning percentages between 60% and 75%. He just doesn’t get the Cowboys up for games against good competition. Meanwhile, the Steelers are 10-1 ATS when playing at home after a game in which they trailed by 14 or more at halftime under Mike Tomlin. The Pittsburgh coach, who happens to be 103-43 straight-up at home in his career, knows how to get his team going after a poor performance.

Cowboys vs. Steelers Player Props

Najee Harris Over 66.5 Rushing Yards (-114)

Harris is coming off a lousy game against the Colts, as he rushed 13 times for 19 yards. However, Harris had rushed for at least 69 yards in each of his previous three games, and I like him to flirt with 70 or so here — if he doesn’t go for way more. I’m just not sold on this Dallas defense, which is giving up 4.6 yards per carry this season. It’s also very likely that Smith is thinking the same thing, so look for the play caller to test this Cowboys rushing defense early and often. Sure, Pittsburgh has other ball carriers that will mix in, and that limits the damage Harris can do. But he should get enough carries to go Over this mark, and I can see him breaking a big run or two to put a big dent in the number.

Cowboys vs. Steelers Pick

The difference in coaching here is a little hard to ignore. I also just don’t like the way this Cowboys defense matches up with the Steelers offense, especially without Parsons on the field. This Pittsburgh offense might lack pass-catching weapons, but the mere presence of Fields and his dual-threat ability makes this a more dangerous group than Dallas had to deal with in New York. So, look for the Steelers defense to slow down the Cowboys offense, and don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh’s offense does just enough to cover the small number.

Pick: Steelers -2.5 (-110)

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