ARLINGTON, Texas —
Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers still have games to play, and a chance at the playoffs.
Still, this loss hurts for Roethlisberger, whose interception in overtime set up Dallas for a field goal to win 27-24 Sunday.
The Steelers (7-7) have lost four of five games, including both since the quarterback’s return from a shoulder injury.
“There won’t be any quit from us, especially from me,” said Roethlisberger, insisting the loss was his fault even after throwing for 339 yards with two touchdowns. “This one is going to sting real bad. It will hopefully make me and make us better.”
The only other time the Steelers played in Cowboys Stadium was their loss to Green Bay in the Super Bowl two seasons ago.
In Pittsburgh’s first game there against the hometown Cowboys (8-6), where thousands of Steelers fans waved their Terrible Towels and cheered wildly, Pittsburgh overcame an early 10-0 deficit and led early in the fourth quarter after Antonio Brown’s 7-yard TD catch.
Brown was later stripped and fumbled on what would have been a 22-yard punt return to near midfield. Dallas drove for a tying touchdown.
Even after Brown didn’t field a poor punt that ended up bouncing and rolling to the 20 inside the final 2 minutes of regulation, the Steelers were near midfield again.
DeMarcus Ware was called for roughing the passer because of a swipe to the back of the head before Roethlisberger was sacked on consecutive plays.
“Really, it’s simple, man. Just not enough of the critical plays in the waning moments to seize opportunities,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We had a lead, and had a punt return. It was going to be good field position. ... We had the ball near midfield at the end of regulation and timeouts.”
On the second play of overtime, Roethlisberger’s pass intended for Mike Wallace was picked off by Brandon Carr, whose 36-yard return to the 1 set up Dan Bailey’s game-ending
21-yard field goal.
Though the Steelers slipped to third place in the AFC North, they are only a game behind Cincinnati for the AFC’s second wild card.
Pittsburgh has already won a game against its division rival, which visits Heinz Field next week.
The Steelers play their last two games at home, against the Bengals and then Cleveland.
“Obviously we’re frustrated,” Wallace said. “But we’re still in the same situation we started in before we came. We know if we win these last two games, we’re still in the tournament.”
Tony Romo and the Cowboys (8-6) moved into a three-way tie for the NFC East lead with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. Dallas has won three straight and five of six.
Roethlisberger completed 24 of 40 passes and was sacked four times, three of those coming in the final 3:35 of regulation. His only interception came at the worst time.
“He got to the top of his drop and was delivering the ball. I made a run for it and when he threw it behind (Wallace), I laid out for it and caught it,” Carr said. “Those are the plays you dream about in the backyard, making the game-winning interception or touchdown. ‘’
Dallas won on a Bailey field goal on the final play for the second straight week since practice squad linebacker Jerry Brown was killed in a one-car accident that led to manslaughter charges against teammate Josh Brent for allegedly driving drunk.
Dallas, playing with Brown’s No. 53 jersey draped on their bench and his number on a helmet decal, couldn’t do anything in the final minute of regulation after Pittsburgh punted.
“We have to find a way to fight back, which we did. But we just didn’t finish,” tight end Heath Miller said. “We still have a chance to right our wrongs here with two games left.”
Dallas got even at 24-all with 7 minutes left on a 3-yard TD run by DeMarco Murray.
That came on the drive set up when Victor Butler reached out and stripped the ball from Brown on the punt return.
Roethlisberger pulled the Steelers even at 10 on an impressive play.
He stepped away from pressure and used a couple of pump fakes to keep pass rushers away before moving forward and to the side to find Miller wide open along the sideline on a 30-yard score.
After stopping to make the catch, Miller (seven catches for 92 yards) ran in untouched to chants of “Heath” from the black-and-gold clad fans.
“They went to a prevent defense, so the play that was called wasn’t a good play at all,” Roethlisberger said.
“Went to throw over the middle, at the last minute saw Heath on the sideline. Just tried to get it to him and let him do the rest.”
Notes: Steelers CB DeMarcus Van Dyke separated his right shoulder trying to tackle on a punt return less than 2 minutes left in the game. ... WR Emmanuel Sanders sustained a rib injury and CB Keenan Lewis (groin) also left injured. ... Romo was 30-of-42 passing for 341 yards with two TDs. ... The Steelers won their previous three overtime games, including a 16-13 win at home over Kansas City on Nov. 12. ... Dallas has won six of its past seven OT games, and is 2-0 at Cowboys Stadium.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) scores against the Steelers during the first half of Sunday’s game in Arlington, Texas. Steelers safety Robert Golden (21) is in the background. LM Otero
Discussion
Cowboys post overtime win over Steelers
- Local Sports
-
-
Defense attorney: Woman’s death an accident
A defense attorney for a Blair County man charged with homicide in the 1999 death of his daughter-in-law said the woman’s death was accidental.
-
College players dominate Point nominations
Pitt-Johnstown junior Jake Warner was perfect and extremely productive at the plate while earning the first two monthly nominations for the 2013 Point Stadium Award in February and March.
Mount Aloysius sophomore Derrick Capiak nearly reached perfection to take the April nomination. -
Pirates roll past Brewers
Wandy Rodriguez allowed one run over seven strong innings and Neil Walker hit a two-run single as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 on Wednesday night.
Rodriguez (4-2) gave up six hits, walking one and striking out five. -
Dupuis coming through for Penguins
Dan Bylsma has been hearing it seemingly from the moment he took over at Pittsburgh Penguins head coach four years ago.
Every time the Penguins hit a rough patch, the murmurs about finding a polished winger to play alongside superstar Sidney Crosby pop up. Bylsma understands the sentiment. It’s just that it’s a little misplaced. -
Penn State guard leaving for pro career
Penn State guard Jermaine Marshall, the team’s second-leading scorer, is foregoing his senior year of eligibility to pursue a professional career overseas.
The team announced the surprise move in a statement Wednesday. The 6-foot-4 Marshall, who is on schedule to graduate this summer, cited his family including a 1-year-old son, in making his decision. -
Penn State coach blasts Sports Illustrated article
Penn State coach Bill O’Brien is fervently disputing suggestions raised in a report that player medical care has been compromised after the team doctor was replaced.
Speaking often in an angry tone that might be otherwise reserved for an argument with an official, O’Brien told reporters in a conference call that the health and safety of his players were his top priorities. -
Penguins advance on overtime goal
Brooks Orpik’s goal would have been memorable even if wasn’t in overtime and didn’t put the Pittsburgh Penguins into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
When you are a defensive-minded defenseman with only 12 goals in nine NHL seasons, they all tend to stand out. -
Liriano key to Pirates' victory
Francisco Liriano finally got to pitch for Pittsburgh and, just like that, the Pirates looked like a much better team.
He struck out nine and the Pirates teed off on New York’s pitching for an 11-2 win over the Mets on Saturday. -
Shade softball thriving on Karl’s watch
Frank Karl coached the majority of the girls who comprise Shade High School’s softball team from the time they played T-ball and coach pitch.
Karl was there when the group, as elementary-school students, once rallied from an 18-run deficit to win a game, and he hoped to be there when the group reached the varsity level. -
MIKE MASTOVICH: Junior put his stamp on tourney
This year, Junior won’t be on the Point Stadium field for the pregame hoopla associated with opening night of the 69th annual AAABA Tournament.
He won’t watch as dozens of Corvettes and hundreds of baseball players enter through the left-field gate with their respective teams from cities such as Baltimore, New Orleans, New Brunswick and Altoona. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Defense attorney: Woman’s death an accident
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
