Big Blunder
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 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.”
