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Cowboys vs Steelers: Each team’s X-factor player for Week 5

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Cowboys vs Steelers: Each team’s X-factor player for Week 5


The Dallas Cowboys walk in to Week 5 looking like the “great unknown.” With a lengthy list of injuries, young guys hoping to step up, the bottom line still remains Dallas is trying to get back above .500 early in the season.

The Steelers won’t be an easy matchup as they present a lot of unique challenges the Cowboys struggle to contend with, but with a tough schedule on the horizon, every game is vitally important to Dallas if they are hoping to do something significant this season.

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Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

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Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele is in for a long night Sunday as he prepares to face off against T.J. Watt. The Steelers pass rusher does the majority of his work form the defenses left side, which has him locking horns with Steele for much of the night.

The two have matched up before with Steele holding up well, but an encore performance is needed in Week 5. How Steele is able to answer the bell this week and key Dak Prescott upright will go a long way in determining if Dallas has a chance on Sunday night.

Look for Watt to find some success, as he naturally does each week. But how Steele and this game plan is able to limit him this week has a chance to tell it all after Week 5.

Pittsburgh Steelers X-factor: Najee Harris

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Pittsburgh Steelers v Indianapolis Colts

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

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The Steelers running back room is banged up right now with Jaylen Warren out and Cordarrelle Patterson missing the game as well. Those absences put the burden on Najee Harris’ shoulders as he looks to develop and sustain a running game against this poor Cowboys rush defense.

The Steelers will be limited in their options beyond Harris with former Cowboy Aaron Shampklin in line for some carries, but Dallas can expect to see Harris get the lion’s share of the work.

Harris has struggled a bit to get going this season in the new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system, but with the Cowboys reputation for being poor against the run, and Pittsburgh coming off of a tough loss to the Indianapolis Colts, there is a real chance they will look to come in and try to force the run a little bit.

Quarterback Justin Fields has done some nice things this season, but he hasn’t been consistent enough for them to lean heavily on the passing game. If that is the case once again, we can expect to see a healthy dose of Harris on Sunday night and Dallas better be ready to answer the call.



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Dallas, TX

Abbott is ramping up protection across Texas after Iran airstrikes

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Abbott is ramping up protection across Texas after Iran airstrikes


Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to increase protection at key state sites following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

Abbott issued a statement Saturday supporting the military action, writing “Texas stands with President Trump in sending a clear message to Iran: its aggression toward American and the West will no longer be tolerated.”

The governor said he directed DPS and the Texas National Guard to ramp up surveillance and patrols at energy facilities, ports and southern border.

“Texas is working closely with our federal partners to protect Texans and our critical assets from potential threats of retaliation,” Abbott said.

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In a post on X, the Texas National Guard announced its activation of service members.

Iran has retaliated by firing attacks toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.

Across the U.S., law enforcement has stepped up patrols at sensitive areas, including houses of worship and diplomatic sites.

Security expert Eric Jackson, who retired as Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI field office, said law enforcement would be analyzing intelligence closely for potential threats at home.

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“These types of matters bring out the best in the [FBI],” said Jackson. “Everybody’s working hard and everybody’s focused on protecting the homeland.”





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Insider Reveals Dallas Cowboys’ Upcoming Plans With Anthony Hill Jr.

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Insider Reveals Dallas Cowboys’ Upcoming Plans With Anthony Hill Jr.


The Dallas Cowboys may not have met formally with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at the NFL Combine, but their interest in the Longhorns’ defender is still worth watching.

Earlier this week, it was revealed by Dallas Cowboys’ beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. that Dallas has intentions to schedule a private dinner with Hill Jr. ahead of Texas’ pro day.

Currently, the Texas linebacker is rated the No. 5 linebacker and the No. 34 prospect in this year’s draft class.

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The Cowboys have made it abundantly clear that they are keeping their eyes on the elite prospects coming from the state of Texas.

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Not only did the organization meet with Longhorns’ linebacker Trey Moore earlier this week, but it has also spent time with multiple Texas A&M prospects during the pre-draft process.

Why Anthony Hill Jr. Makes Sense for Dallas

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Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. celebrates during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Hill Jr. makes plenty of sense for Dallas because of the kind of speed, range, and physicality he brings to the second level of a defense. Across three years at Texas, the linebacker totaled just under 250 tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, and 17.0 sacks. He also forced eight fumbles, deflected seven passes, and caught three interceptions during his time in Austin as well.

With that kind of résumé at the collegiate level, it’s no wonder why the Cowboys have shown great interest in Hill Jr. While they may not have formally met with him before the NFL Combine, the organization’s willingness to schedule a dinner the Texas linebacker says plenty about the level of respect it has for his game.

There are many mock drafts that have Hill Jr. going in the first round of this year’s draft. He’s projected an early second-round pick, but his versatility and well-rounded physical traits set him apart from most defensive prospects.

He also set himself apart from the other linebackers in this draft cycle by running a 4.51-second 40-time at the NFL Combine earlier this week. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles both ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, while TCU’s Kaleb Elarms-Orr recorded an impressive time of 4.47 seconds.

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The private dinner gives the Cowboys a chance to learn more about Hill Jr. away from the football field. While the Texas linebacker has the tangibles to be an instant playmaker for any NFL franchise, it seems that Dallas is looking to learn more about his personality before the Texas Longhorns’ pro day.

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Last year, Texas’ Pro Day took place on March 25, giving NFL teams one final chance to watch the Longhorns’ draft prospects go through drills and interviews in Austin.





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Letters to the Editor – Three Cheers for a Plano fire station, Dallas Parks & Rec, voting

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Letters to the Editor – Three Cheers for a Plano fire station, Dallas Parks & Rec, voting


1 Plano No. 5 fire station paramedics — I thank God for the paramedics at Plano No. 5 fire station. On Sunday after services, my wife of 46 years had a severe heart attack. The 911 call brought six great men who quickly got my wife to the excellent Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital and saved her life.

I am so grateful to not only live here in Plano, but that the Lord is not done with Donna yet.

Anton Skell, Plano

2 Dallas Park and Recreation teams — On behalf of all the bikers, joggers and walkers along the White Rock Creek trail, a special thanks to the Dallas Park and Recreation teams that clean all the goo and muck off the trail after a heavy rain.

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This is particularly an issue at the White Rock Creek and Cottonwood Creek low water crossing as mud several inches thick accumulates along about a foot-long swath of the trial, making it incredibly slippery and unsafe.

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However, like clockwork, we can count on a team from Park and Rec with their front-end loader, shovels and squeegees to clear the path within 24 hours or so. Appreciate all the work!

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Ron Carey, North Dallas

3 DMN voting recommendations — Thank you for the time and energy that you spend vetting the candidates and making your recommendations. I take your thoughts seriously and am grateful for the information you provide.

I hope you continue to provide this valuable service. It’s needed and appreciated.

Alice Gant Coder, Dallas

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here.

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If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com



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