Winners and losers of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Dallas Cowboys 17-20, making them 3-2 this season. It was an ugly game from start to finish for the Steelers, and with that in mind, here are the game’s winners and losers:

Winner: Isaiahh Loudermilk

Loudermilk blocked a crucial kick that kept the Cowboys, with standout kicker Brandon Aubrey, from extending their lead. In this game he showed what he can do and in general Loudermilk played well in this game. With this great play, the Steelers backup defender deserves some credit for this game and the year he has had so far.

Loser: Beanie Bishop

Beanie Bishop has struggled to get going the last three weeks. The Cowboys came in and circled him as a target, and they worked tirelessly. The Steelers had no answers or hope of slowing the attack when Bishop was on the field. Here’s the problem: Bishop has difficulty getting his assignments in zone coverage, which has led to numerous failed coverages. But when the Steelers want to run man coverage and even some blitzes out of those man coverages, Bishop can’t keep up. So the Steelers are stuck and teams are constantly attacking Bishop.

He was responsible for at least four explosive plays in the game and had numerous other coverage errors that continued to affect his play. Cam Sutton can’t return to the Steelers fast enough. You will need him urgently.

Winner: Nick Herbig

Unfortunately, Nick Herbig had to leave the game with an injury as he performed impressively throughout the game. Herbig may have had a warm welcome at the NFL game against the Colts, but his reaction to that game spoke volumes. He generated consistent pressure and his run defense was not just good, but outstanding throughout the game. The Steelers’ lack of a pass rush after Herbig left the game was a huge blow to their defense, which needed to improve significantly. Without Herbig they remained mediocre at best, and his impact is clearly reflected in this.

Loser: George Pickens

Any wide receiver could find their way onto this list, but George Pickens in particular stands out. Not only was he a shocking third in snaps at wide receiver, but when he did get snaps, Pickens wasn’t productive. The Cowboys managed to batten down the hatches and keep Pickens out of just about anything. He caught just three passes on seven targets for 26 yards and dropped a crucial out route that would have kept a third-quarter drive going. Needless to say, the rising wide receiver has seen far better days than this one against the Cowboys.

Winner: Elandon Roberts

Roberts is currently the best inside linebacker on the team. He’s a heat-seeking missile and almost saved the game by forcing a fumble from Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle while on the goal line. Roberts is their best communicator at the best position and their best run defender, despite playing less since the Steelers played Payton Wilson over him in nickel. Wilson has struggled at times, but Roberts’ acumen and underrated coverage ability has been and will continue to be a valuable asset for the Steelers.

Loser: Arthur Smith

Smith deserves a mention here as the game plan and personnel deployment remain questionable. A run on 2nd-and-10 and then another on 3rd-and-8, only to settle for a field goal? The strange personnel decision to play Pickens more often than Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III? Taking Pat Freiermuth and Najee Harris off the field at inopportune times and stalling drives?

Smith did all of that. Additionally, he continues to use Harris in strange ways, such as running either crack toss or toss in combination with the outside zone. Harris is grumpy about this, and yet Smith has continued to rant about it every week. While the Steelers team performed poorly, they also received negative support from their coach.

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