Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) at Dallas Cowboyss (7-6)Date: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012Kickoff: 4:25 p.m., ETSite: Cowboys Stadium (80,000) • Arlington, TexasPlaying Surface: Sportfield SofttopTV Coverage: CBS (locally KDKA-TV, channel 2)Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play)*Phil Simms (analyst)Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline)Spanish Radio: Grupo Imagen - Destrito Federal (Mexico City) *XEDA-FM 90.5
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike TomlinOverall regular-season record: 62-31 (.667)/sixth seasonRegular-season record at Pittsburgh: 62-31 (.667)/sixth seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 5-3/four yearsDallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason GarrettOverall regular-season record: 20-17 (.541)/third seasonRegular-season record at Dallas: 20-17 (.541)/third seasonPlayoff Record/Years: n/a
Series History: Series began in 1960
Overall: Dallas leads 14-13
At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 8-6
At Dallas:Dallas leads 8-5
Neutral Sites: Pittsburgh leads 2-1
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Dec. 7, 2008 (in Pittsburgh)
Pittsburgh 20, Dallas 13
Postseason Series: Pittsburgh leads 2-1
Last Postseason Meeting:Jan. 28, 1996 (in Tempe, Ariz.)
Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17 (Super Bowl XXX)
(postseason record not included in overall series record)
This will be only the fourth time these two teams have met in the regular season since 1997…the previous two matchups, both Steelers victories, were decided by seven points or less…with a win, Pittsburgh will have won three consecutive regular-season matchups in the series, which would tie their second-longest winning streak against
Dallas…including the regular season and postseason, Dallas and Pittsburgh have met 30 times and both hold 15 wins, making Sunday's matchup a potential tiebreaker…Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinwon his only regular-season game against the Cowboys, while Dallas' Jason Garretthas yet to face the Steelers as a head coach…although the Steelers haven't played the Cowboys in Dallas since 2004, this will not be the first time the team has played in the new Cowboys Stadium, which opened in 2009 – Super Bowl XLV between the Steelers and the Green Bay Packers took place at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011…a Pittsburgh win would mark the first time the Steelers have won consecutive regular-season games in Dallas since they won there in the 1962 and 1963 seasons.STEELERS-COWBOYS CONNECTIONSLOCAL CONNECTIONS• While Pittsburgh does not have a player from the Dallas-area of Texas, the team does have five players who hail from the Lone Star State: NT Casey Hampton(Galveston), DE Ziggy Hood (Amarillo), WR Emmanuel Sanders(Bellville), CB Curtis Brown (Longview) and OT Kelvin Beachum(Mexia).
PRO CONNECTIONS
• Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haleywas the Cowboys' wide receivers coach from 2004 to 2005. In 2006, Haley took over responsibilities as Dallas' passing game coordinator, in addition to coaching the wideouts.
• Steelers K Shaun Suishamspent time with Dallas for at least a part of the 2005, 2006 and 2009 seasons, logging eight total games in a Cowboys uniform during those three stints.
• Dallas running backs coach Skip Peetecoached at the University of Pittsburgh from 1988-1992, serving as the Panthers' running backs coach.
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinwas the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive backs coach in 2004 when Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrettwas a quarterback for the Bucs.
• When Mike Tomlinwas in his only season in Minnesota as the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2006, Cowboys C/G Ryan Cook was a rookie with the Vikings.
• Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbertwas the Detroit Lions Pro Scouting Director when Cowboys defensive line coach Brain Bakerwas on the Lions' coaching staff. Colbert was with Detroit from 1990-1999 and Baker was with the Lions from 1997-2000.
• Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeauwas the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach in 1989 when Dallas passing game coordinator/tight ends coach John Garrettwas a wide receiver for the Bengals. The two would cross paths again as coaches in Cincinnati from 1997-98 and 2001-02. In '97 and '98, LeBeau was the Bengals Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator and Garrett coached the Cincy wide receivers. In 2001 and 2002, LeBeau was serving as the Cincinnati Head Coach and Garrett was the Bengals' offensive assistant and worked with the team's tight ends.
• Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haleywas the New York Jets offensive assistant/wide receivers coach when Cowboys secondary coach Jerome Hendersonplayed cornerback for the Jets in 1997 and 1998.
• Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haleywas the Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009 to 2011 when Cowboys CB Brandon Carrwas a member of the Chiefs. Also, Steelers TE Leonard Popeplayed for Kansas City from 2009 to 2011 and was teammates with Carr. Cowboys QB Kyle Ortonalso spent the latter portions of the 2011 season with Kansas City after being waived by the Denver Broncos.
• Steelers S Will Allenwas in his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 when Cowboys assistant secondary coach Joe Bakerjoined the Tampa coaching staff as defensive backs coach.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcherywas a member of the New York Jets when Cowboys offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahanwas on the Jets' staff. Cotchery played for the Jets from 2004-2010 and Callahan came on board as the Jets assistant head coach/offensive line coach in 2008 and remained in that position until the end of the 2011 season. Also, from 2007 to 2008 Cowboys secondary coach Jerome Hendersoncoached the Jets defensive backs.
• Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kuglerwas an offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2007-2009 and coached Cowboys G Derrick Dockerywhen he played for Buffalo in 2007 and 2008. Also, Cowboys P Brian Moormanplayed for the Bills from 2001 to 2011 and was a member of the team when Kugler and Dockery were in Buffalo.
• Steelers tight ends coach James Danieland Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillisworked together on the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff from 1997-2003. During that time, Daniel coached the Falcons tight ends in each season but 2000, when he served as the squad's offensive line coach. DeCamillis ran the Falcons special teams units during that time. Daniel left Atlanta after the 2003 season to become the Steelers tight ends coach, while DeCamillis remained with Atlanta through the 2006 season.
• Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomerywas a wide receiver with the Denver Broncos in 2001 when Cowboys defensive assistant/defensive line coach Leon Lettplayed defensive tackle for Denver.
• Steelers S Ryan Clarkwas a member of the New York Giants in 2002 and 2003 when Cowboys assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinsonwas the Giants wide receivers coach.
• Steelers LB Brandon Johnsonand Cowboys G Nate Livings played together for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2011.
• Steelers QB Byron Leftwichand Cowboys S Gerald Sensabaugh were teammates in Jacksonville with the Jaguars in 2005 and 2006.
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
• Steelers WR Emmanuel Sandersand OT Kelvin Beachumwere teammates at SMU with Cowboys WR Cole Beasley. The three were all teammates in 2008 and 2009, and Beachum and Beasley are both rookies this season and played together for the Mustangs through 2011.
• Steelers TE Heath Millerwas a senior at the University of Virginia in 2004 when Cowboys passing game coordinator/tight ends coach John Garrettjoined the Cavaliers coaching staff as a wide receivers coach.
• Steelers WR Antonio Brownand Cowboys CB Vince Agnew were teammates at Central Michigan University from 2007-2009.
• Steelers NT Casey Hamptonand Cowboys G Derrick Dockery were teammates for the University of Texas Longhorns from 1999- 2000.
• Steelers S Ryan Clarkand Cowboys DE Marcus Spearsplayed one season of college ball together at Louisiana State University in 2001.
• Steelers WR Mike Wallaceand Cowboys T Jermey Parnell were teammates at Ole Miss from 2005-2008.
• Steelers DE Brett Keiseland Cowboys LB Brett Poppingaplayed together at BYU during the 2001 season.
• Steelers CB Keenan Lewisand Cowboys LB Victor Butlerspent their collegiate careers together at Oregon State University. Lewis and Butler played together for the Beavers from 2005 to 2008.
• Steelers LS Greg Warrenand Cowboys S Gerald Sensabaugh played their final collegiate seasons together at the University of North Carolina in 2004, after Sensabaugh joined the Tar Heels as a transfer prior to the start of that season.
• Steelers DE Al Woodsand Cowboys S Danny McCraywere teammates at Louisiana State University from 2006 to 2009. During the 2009 season, Cowboys CB Morris Claibornewas also a member of the Tigers squad.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
PITTSBURGH TEAM NOTES• Pittsburgh is looking to improve to 4-0 against NFC opponents during the regular season for the first time since 2005.
• The Steelers hope to record their third consecutive victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
• With a win, Pittsburgh would even the regular season series with the Cowboys at 14-14 and improve to 6-8 at Dallas.
• The Steelers are looking for their 10th win in the last 13 games played in December.
• If Pittsburgh wins, it will be 8-6 on the season, marking the ninth consecutive season that the Steelers have won at least eight games. The Steelers would join New England as the only teams to register at least eight wins each season since 2004. (San Diego could also join them but currently only has five wins this season).
• The Steelers are looking for the 599th win in franchise history (including the postseason) to make them one shy of becoming the fourth team in NFL history, and first AFC team, to reach 600 wins.
• Pittsburgh is hoping to hold its 10th opponent this season (eighth in the last nine games) to 20 points or less.
• Pittsburgh is looking to improve to 404-256-2 during the regular season since 1970.
• The Steelers defense is looking to keep their 10th opponent to under 100 net yards rushing this season.
• If Pittsburgh holds Dallas to less than 180 net passing yards it will mark the 10th time this season the Steelers did not allow their opponent to register at least 180 net passing yards.
• The Pittsburgh defense is looking to extend its regular-season streak of holding teams under 300 net passing yards to 37 games. The last time the Steelers allowed a team to record at least 300 net passing yards was on 11/14/10 vs. New England (350).
• Pittsburgh's defense will try and hold the opposing quarterback to a passer rating of 90.0 or less for the 10th straight game and the 11th time this season.
• The Steelers defense is looking to register at least one takeaway for the 11th game this season.
• Pittsburgh is looking to record its fourth individual 100-yard rushing performance of the season for the first time since Willie Parker (4) and Mewelde Moore (1) combined for five 100 yard rushing games in 2008.
PITTSBURGH INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Head Coach Mike Tomlin• If Pittsburgh wins, will improve to 63-31 during the regular season,* *including 28-20 on the road.• Looking to improve to 2-0 against Dallas.
• If the Steelers win, will improve to 18-9 in regular-season games*in December/January. Pittsburgh has registered a regular-season record of 4-1 in each of the past two seasons in December/January.QB Ben Roethlisberger• Looking to improve to 87-37 as a starter during the regular season, including 3-0 against Dallas. Entering this week's game, he has never thrown an interception against the Cowboys.• If the Steelers win, Roethlisberger will improve to 24-10 as a starter in the month of December.• Looking to record at least three touchdown passes for the fourth time this season, marking the second most times he has thrown for at least three touchdowns in one season (5 in 2007 and 2009).• If he throws at least one touchdown pass he will set a new career best by throwing at least one touchdown in the first 11 games he has played this season.• Looking to record a passer rating of 120.0 for the fourth time this season, which would tie for the second most times he has registered a passer rating of at least 120.0 in the same regular season (four in 2004 / five in 2009).• Is looking to throw for at least 360 yards for the third time this season, which would tie 2011 (3) for the second most times he has thrown for at least 360 yards in one season (2009, 4).RB Jonathan Dwyer• Looking to eclipse 100 yards rushing for the third time this season. It would mark the most 100-yard rushing games by a Steelers player during one regular season since Rashard Mendenhall registered three 100 yard rushing games in 2010.TE Heath Miller• Is two receptions shy of joining Hines Ward (1,000) and John Stallworth (537) as the only Steelers' players to reach 400 career receptions.• Needs one touchdown reception to set a new single-season career high.• Is two receiving touchdowns away from passing Louis Lipps (39) for the fifth most in franchise history.WR Mike Wallace• Needs one reception to register at least 60 receptions for the third consecutive season (60 in 2010 and 72 in 2011). • If he records at least 100 yards receiving, it will mark the 15th 100-yard game of his career, third of this season and second in as many weeks.• Is two touchdown receptions shy of tying his career-high of 10, set in 2010.WR Emmanuel Sanders• Looking to record at least one reception in a career-best 20 consecutive games played, including the 2011 regular and postseason.LB James Harrison• Looking to record at least one sack for the fourth time in the last five games.LB LaMarr Woodley• Needs 1.5 sacks to tie Greg Lloyd (53.5, 1988-97) for the fifth-most sacks by a Steelers' player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.• Looking to tie his single-season career high (2010) with his second interception of the season.S Troy Polamalu• Needs one interception to become the ninth Steelers' player to record 30 career interceptions.• With one fumble return for a touchdown, will tie Jason Gildon (3) for the most fumbles returned for touchdowns in franchise history. • Is one defensive touchdown shy of tieing Carnell Lake, Dwayne Woodruff and Jack Butler (5) for the second-most defensive touchdowns in Steelers history (Rod Woodson, 6).• Needs one interception return for a touchdown to tie Carnell Lake, Dwayne Woodruff, Deshea Townsend and Tony Campagno *(3) for the fourth-most in franchise history.
K Shaun Suisham• Is one field goal away from tying his career best streak of 15*consecutive field goals made (15, 12/28/08 thru 11/22/09 as a *member of the Washington Redskins).
