Despite some positive news on the injury front for the Dallas Cowboys, including the possible return of Daron Bland and an improved outlook for Marshawn Kneeland, there’s a chance they are overvaluing their recent win against the Steelers.

Here are three exaggerated responses to that thrilling last-minute victory.

First, the Cowboys should indeed receive considerable praise for securing the win.

While they committed several critical mistakes, they managed to clinch a 20-17 victory, largely thanks to Dak Prescott, who orchestrated the 14th fourth-quarter comeback of his career.

Prescott emphasized that the final drive stemmed from practice, as detailed on dallascowboys.com.

“We practice that a lot,” he stated. “I’d say we do it more than probably any team in the league, so we’re comfortable in that situation with the plays being called.

We moved quickly down the field and created chances in the end zone. It’s all about repetition in practice.”

Prescott expressed frustration over an earlier two-minute drive before halftime, where he threw an interception instead of securing points:

“I was obviously upset about that situation when we could have easily gotten three, if not a touchdown.”

Overreaction #1:

The Running Game Issues Are Resolved

Let’s give credit where it’s due. Running back Rico Dowdle arguably had his best performance as a Cowboy, even with a late fumble that could have been costly.

He finished with 87 yards on 20 carries, along with two catches for 27 yards and a touchdown.

The offensive line also deserves recognition for providing Dowdle with space to run. While he broke a few tackles, much of his success came against a disappointing Steelers defensive front.

However, one solid game doesn’t negate the struggles of the previous four.

The Cowboys still rank a lowly 31st in the NFL, averaging just 82 yards per game—far behind the league-leading Ravens.

What’s evident is that this is now Dowdle’s backfield, with Ezekiel Elliott officially relegated to a backup role.

For head coach Mike McCarthy’s offense to thrive, consistent performances from Dowdle are essential.

Prescott can set the tone, even in challenging weather conditions, as noted by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in comments to nytimes.com.

“People often think that in wet conditions, you should just run the ball,” Schottenheimer remarked.

“We believe we actually have an advantage in those situations because we know our routes better than the defensive backs do, who can slip on the field.”

Schottenheimer added, “In the second half, when we needed to run the ball, we did.

That shows progress. We’re feeling better about our running game combinations. Dowdle ran hard and made significant plays.”

Dowdle demonstrated that he can thrive when the offense operates smoothly, but it’s important to remember that not every game will unfold this way.

Overreaction #2:

The Cowboys Saved Their Season by Beating Pittsburgh

This assertion is laughable. It was echoed during highlights of Prescott’s game-winning pass to Jalen Tolbert on a popular NFL morning show. Here’s a brief response: give me a break.

The Cowboys didn’t save their season any more than they would have lost it if that pass had been incomplete. In the NFL, there isn’t a substantial difference between being 3-2 and 2-3, especially in the NFC East.

Who genuinely believes the Washington Commanders are a serious threat to dominate the division?

Even if the Cowboys had lost and fallen to 2-3, they would still have two matchups left against the Commanders.

While their upcoming schedule features tough opponents like the Lions, 49ers, Falcons, Eagles, Texans, and Commanders, it’s unlikely they would lose all of those games.

It’s quite possible they could finish with a 4-2 record, bringing their season total to 6-5.

That’s enough to keep them in the playoff conversation.

With the victory over the Steelers, a successful 4-2 run could elevate them to 7-4, potentially placing them at the top of their division.

Ultimately, this is all drama.

While the win was significant, it didn’t save their season.

No one was claiming their season was on the brink before the game, so let’s dispel that notion now.

Overreaction #3:

The Cowboys Can Overcome Major Defensive Injuries

Injuries play a pivotal role in shaping NFL seasons.

It’s not always about which team has the best talent, but rather which team can keep its players healthy.

If key quarterbacks like Dak Prescott or Patrick Mahomes get injured, the outlook for the Cowboys and Chiefs could dim significantly.

Yes, the Cowboys managed to win without pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

They still pressured the Steelers, recording three sacks and forcing the quarterback into 12 incompletions.

However, this was more a reflection of a Steelers team that lacked the fire or adaptability to counter the Cowboys’ pressure.

If Parsons and Lawrence miss extended time against tough opponents, the Cowboys could face serious challenges.

They were fortunate to miss these games at a favorable moment in their schedule.

While this win counts like any other, the Cowboys’ current offense isn’t equipped to compensate for prolonged absences of star defensive players.

In conclusion, while the Cowboys showed resilience and skill in their victory over the Steelers, it’s essential to temper enthusiasm and recognize the realities of the season ahead.

The upcoming games will reveal whether these overreactions hold any weight or if they will need to adjust their expectations moving forward.