Cowboys vs. Steelers Hall of Fame Game: score, stats, highlights

Watch Najee Harris' first play as a professional player:

The game began with a special tribute to the Class of 2020 and 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Last year, the NFL skipped both the Hall-of-Fame game and the entire preseason, making this game extra special. Before the game began, we saw the hall-of-famers of 2020 and 2021 honored.

Take a look at Micah Parsons - they say he's always in the right place at the right time and it seems like they're not wrong!

Takeaways from the game

After an uneventful first half (Cowboys leading Steelers 3-0), the Steelers came back stronger in the second half to beat the Cowboys 16-3. Matthew Sexton made a 36-yard punt return early in the third quarter and the Cowboys just never seemed to come back from it.

Steelers and Cowboys defenses both looked pretty solid, Steelers pass rush putting the pressure on Dallas' quarterbacks. Steelers Dwayne Haskins, competing for the second QB position, got the most play time for the Steelers. But it was Josh Dobbs who threw the touchdown pass to Tyler Simmons.

Najeel Harris was as good as hoped for. Steelers may have overplayed him a bit in the beginning. As excited as I am for football to be back again, we have to remember that this game actually doesn't matter at all. But he looked good - he was difficult for the Cowboys defense to take down and he pushed the pile. He seems to be just what the Steelers needed.

Kalen Ballage scored the first touchdown of the season for the Steelers. He was able to convert on 4th and 1, which was a problem for the team last season.

Sam Sloman missed one field goal and botched an extra point, kicking way too far to the right. He did make one 48-yard field goal, but those other attempts were embarrassing.

Micah Parsons was the most impressive player by far tonight and proved to be a great pick for the Cowboys. In the opening drive of the game, Rudolph fumbled the ball and Parsons was right there to pick it up and run with it. Dallas needs this badly.

Coming up for the two teams:

Dallas plays at Arizona next Friday night.
Pittsburgh plays at Philadelphia next Thursday night.

FINAL: Steelers win 16-3

DiNucci under pressure - throws it away

DiNucci scrambles right for 27 yards

Recovered by Farniok of Cowboys

DiNucci is sacked for a loss of 10 yards - FUMBLES

DiNucci throws to the sideline - incomplete - 3rd and 10

DiNucci pass incomplete to Smith - 2nd and 10

DiNucci pass short to Smith - 1st and 10

DiNucci pass deep - complete to Eagles

DiNucci pass complete to Hardy for 3 yards

Dobbs throws under pressure - incomplete - Cowboys will take over

2-minute warning in the last quarter

Samuels runs it again - stopped short of the 1st down - 4th down and 1

Samuels again for 4 yards - just short of the 1st down - 3rd and 1

Samuels gains 5 yards - stopped by Cox - 2nd and 5

Dobbs passes long to Johnson - caught for a gain of 10 yards - 1st down

Samuels - gain of 2 yards - 3rd and 9

Dobbs sacked at Dallas 26 for a loss of 1

Adios, Reggie.
Davis fumbles the ball after the punt - recovered by Steelers Johnson at Dallas 25

Pass complete to Samuels for a gain of 5 yards - 4th down and 4

Samuels gain of 1 yard - 3rd and 9

Samuels to the 20 for no gain - 2nd and 10

Niswander punts 57 yards to McQuaide - fair catch by Sexton

Pass incomplete to Eubanks - 4th and 9 - Cowboys will punt

DiNucci pass incomplete to Turner

DiNucci hands off the ball to Knox for 1-yard gain

Davis returns the ball for 26 yards

And the field goal is....good! Steelers are up 16-3

Steelers Touchdown!

Dobbs passes to Sexton - complete, but out of bounds - 3rd and goal

Steelers get the 1st down as Samuels runs it up the middle

Samuels runs it for 2 yards - 1 yard short of the 1st down

Samuels runs it for 4 yards

Pass to Edmunds complete for 17 yards

Steelers Dobbs in as QB

Steelers will take the ball at Dallas 32

Cowboys go for it on 4th - DiNucci passes long to Parker and it's incomplete

Pass complete to Hardy for 6 yards - 4th and 1

DiNucci pass caught by Parker for a gain of 3 yarrds - 3rd and 7

DiNucci pass incomplete to Smith - 2nd and 10

Hardy makes the 1st down with a 12-yard gain to Dallas 23

Harvin punts 51 yards - out of bounds at the 11

Cowboys defensive draft picks proving to be a good call so far

Steelers punt

Pass complete to Bussey - tackled by Robinson - 4th and 3

Haskins pass incomplete to Baugh - blitzed!

End of the third quarter!

Ballage gains 3 yards - Steelers 2nd and 7

Haskins throws to Johnson - he fumbles and Steelers McKoy recovers it - 1st down and 10

Great Dallas defense - loss of 2 yards by Samuels

Cowboys punt - ball into the endzone

Cowboys try to set up a screen - pass incomplete to Knox

Handoff to Knox for a gain of 3 - 3rd and 10

Timeout taken by Dallas - 1st timeout of 2nd half

DiNucci runs the ball for 7 yards - 2nd and 13 at the 50

Knox gain of 9 yards - Flag on the play - holding Cowboys - 10 yard penalty

DiNucci's pass caught by Parker for 36 yards!

Handoff to Knox for 3 yards - 3rd and 3

4 yard gain by Knox - 2nd and 6

Holding against Cowboys - 10 yard penalty

Dixon catches the ball - out to the 26 - lots of flags thrown

And he made it!! Steelers are up 9-3

Another thrilling field goal attempt...

Pass caught by McCloud - tackled by Wright - Steelers 4th and 9

Haskins throws deep - incomplete to McKoy - 3rd and 12

Ballage runs the ball to make the 1st down but there is a flag

Penalty - Illegal block on the back on Steelers

Haskins pass complete to Edmunds for 5 yards - 2nd and 5

Steelers go for it on 4th and make the 1st down

Steelers - 4th down and 1

McFarland loses 2 yards - 3rd and 6

Haskins pass to Johnson for 5 yards - 2nd and 5

INTERCEPTION - Pass is picked by Stiner of Steelers defense

DiNucci pass incomplete - 3rd and 8

Pass interference on Steelers - automatic 1st down for Cowboys

Pittsburgh punts the ball and Dixon returns it for 25 yards

What's up with these field goal kickers?

Field goal is NO GOOD

TOUCHDOWN Steelers - first TD of the game - Ballage runs it in

Haskins pass incomplete to McCloud - 2nd and goal

Ballage runs the ball for Steelers 1st down - 1st and goal

McFarland runs the ball for 9 yards - 2nd and 1

Haskins completes pass to Radar for 15 yards

Punt return by Steelers Sexton - knocked down at the 35

DiNucci sacked by Steelers - 4th and 15 - Dallas will punt

Ben DiNucci is in at QB for Dallas

Start of second half - Steelers kick 60 yards and Reggie Davis catches the ball for 21 yards

Takeaways from first half

Cowboys:
Some good points - Micah Parsons looks like the draft pick they've hoped for, some impressive plays from Garrett Gilbert and Rico Dowdle.
Some less good points - Pass protection in the O-line is shaky and unreliable, they were 0-for-2 in the red zone, and had two missed FGs.

Steelers:
Najee Harris is looking great and getting lots of play time (maybe too much?), which is what the Steelers need and hoped for. Chase Claypool is making catches and looking good, too. Hopefully he just had the wind knocked out of him, but he was out of the game after a hard fall in the first quarter.

Hall of Fame halftime show coming up!

And that's the end of the first half - Cowboys are up 3-0

Cowboys attempt a 52-yard field goal - way too wide (again) - no good

Cowboys 4th down with 6 seconds left in the first half

Pass incomplete to Davis

Rush pass complete to Dixon - 3rd down and 9

Rush - pass incomplete to Dixon

Rush pass incomplete - personal foul roughing the passer on Steelers - automatic first down for Dallas

Cowboys take second timeout

Pass complete to Turner for 6 yards - 3rd down and 4

Pass incomplete to McKeon

Turner catches the pass for 14 yards!

Rush - pass blocked - incomplete to McKeon - 3rd and 7

Rush - pass complete to Fehoko - 2nd and 6

Dowdle runs the ball again for a gain of 25 yards!

False start - Cowboys - moved back an inch in the endzone

Steelers punt - ball is down on the 1 yard line

2 minute warning in the first half

Pass blitzed by Cowboys defense! Incomplete to Gentry

Haskins scrambles and runs the ball for 5 yards - 3rd and 5

Harris pass bobbles off Washington's hands - incomplete

Haskins pass short to McCloud - Steelers 1st down

Steelers Haskins in as QB - McFarland  pushed for 2 yards

Play was under review - confirmed caught and fumbled

Cowboys go for it on 4th down - pass complete to Turner, but fumbles it to get recovered by Pittsburgh

Dallas timeout

Rush pass nearly picked - incomplete to Fehoko

Dallas penalty - holding - 10 yard penalty - 3rd and 15

Rush handoff to Olonilua - flag on the play

Handoff to Olonilua - 3rd down and 5

Dowdle runs the ball 4 yards - 2nd down and 6

Rush pass complete to Davis for Cowboys 1st down

Rush pass complete to Davis - 3rd and 4

Dowdle gain of 1 yard

Cowboys: Rush is in at QB - pass to McKeon for 13 yards

Steelers 49 yard field goal attempt is no good

Rudolph pass incomplete to Washington - 4th down

Harris gets 2 yards - 3rd and 12

Pass to Harris for loss of 4 yards

Rudolph deep pass complete to Claypool - Steelers 1st and 10

Harris runs the ball 6 yards - 3rd and 4

Rudolph throws the ball away under the pressure

Cowboys miss the field goal - no points

Gilbert fumbles and Cowboys lineman Knight recovers the ball

Gilbert pass complete to Turner for 7 yards - 3rd and 3

Pass to Olonilua - no yards gained

Personal foul on Steelers

Cowboys 1st down - flag on the play

Dowdle runs the ball 9 yards - 2nd and 1

Gilbert pass complete to Olonilua for 17 yards - Cowboys 1st down

Here's a look at that Parsons fumble recovery again

Cowboys turned over the ball thanks to rookie Micah Parsons!

End of the first quarter - no penalties - Cowboys up 3-0

Pass caught by McKeon for 1st down!

Gilbert pass incomplete to Wilson - 3rd and 12 now. At least he got rid of the ball this time.

Loss of 2 yards from Dowdle

Gilbert pass complete to Wilson again! Cowboys 1st down

2 minutes left in the first quarter

Gilbert pass to Dowdle for 4 yards - 3rd and 4

Dowdle runs the ball for a whoppin' 2 yards - 2nd and 7

Gilbert 21-yard pass to wide open Wilson complete

Steelers punt - Dixon catches at the 10

Pass to Claypool - incomplete

Micah Parsons stops Harris - Steelers 3rd and 3

Pass caught by Claypool

Harris gets the first down!

Harris gets 5 yards for 2nd and 5

Pass is caught by Johnson for Steelers first down

Steelers take the knee in the endzone

Cowboys field goal is good - 3 points

Gilbert comes close to throwing an interception - trying to do a Pat Mahomes move, but doesn't have the arm - pass incomplete

Gilbert sacked by Steelers defense

Dowdle runs the ball - 2nd and goal

Dowdle catches the ball for a Cowboys first down!

Gilbert under pressure throws the ball to apparently no one  - 3rd down and 7
 

Pollard runs 3 yards - second down

Gilbert pass to Brown - caught for first down

Pass incomplete to Schultz

Cowboys QB Gilbert passes to Schultz for first down

Cowboys will take over at the Pittsburgh 48

Rookie Micah Parsons recovers the fumble!

Steelers fumble!

Rudolph pass to Claypool complete for first down

Handoff to McCloud - 3rd down

Rudolph pass complete to Harris for 3 yards - 2nd down

Rookie Najee Harris gets the first down - looks like same old Cowboys defense so far

Rudolph pass complete to Johnson for 7 yards

Mason Rudolph will start at QB for the Steelers

Cowboys kick off!!

A great moment for Cowboys fans

Jimmy Johnson going into the Ring of Honor while he's still alive - an honor!

2021 Hall of Fame inductees officially announced

The eight "heroes of the game" were announced at the HOF game as we prepare to kick off the NFL season!

Alan Faneca

Tom Flores

Calvin Johnson

John Lynch

Peyton Manning

Bill Nunn

Drew Pearson

Charles Woodson

Congratulations to the NFL Hall of Fame 2021 class!

NFL announces Hall of Fame class from 2020

Last year, the NFL missed out on its annual Hall-of-Fame game, so the inductees were officially honored tonight!

Steelers rookie RB Najee Harris made a one-handed catch that took the internet by storm during minicamp!

Pittsburgh Steelers players to watch for

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tonight, but we will hopefully get to see both Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins duke it out for the spot at number two.

Rookie running back Najee Harris is expected to play some tonight too, which will be exciting to watch. He’s played well at training camp and was the best back in college football. A big guy at 6’2” (1.88m) and 230 pounds (104 kg), he can block and he can catch.

Another player to watch for is center Kendrick Green. The Steelers lost Pouncey last season as well as tackles Alejandro Villanueva and Matt Feiler, and guard David DeCastro, so they’re looking to improve the offensive line.

Hall of Fame best plays

To get you excited, here's a selection of the best plays we've seen in the Hall of Fame games through history!

Dallas rookies have a chance to impress in tonight's Hall-of-Fame game

As this is preseason game number one and quarterback Dak Prescott is still nursing a shoulder strain, we won’t see the starting quarterback play tonight. In practice, he’s been limited to non-throwing drills, as coach Mike McCarthy is airing on the side of caution.

We can use this game as a way to evaluate some of the younger players on the team. There are 16 players who won’t even be in Canton tonight. Behind Prescott on the depth chart, we’ve got Ben DiNucci, Cooper Rush, and Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert has the most experience of the three after starting last season in week 9 against none other than the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the Cowboys haven’t yet named an official number two quarter back after Prescott.

On defense, we’ll get a chance to watch first-round draft pick Micah Parsons. As the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, let’s see if he lives up to the hype. Let’s hope so as the Cowboys defense was painful to watch last season.

Dallas Cowboys coming off losing season look to improve with defensive and coaching changes

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t had a winning season or playoff berth since 2018, as much as it pains me to say. The Cowboys finished last season with a 6-10 record, putting them at third in the NFC East.

Tonight’s game marks coach Mike McCarthy’s first preseason game with the team after joining last year, a much overdue head coach change after Jason Garrett’s 10-season tenure. This will be a pivotal season for McCarthy. He finished his first year as coach of the Cowboys with an unimpressive .375 record, 3rd in the NFC East.

Quarterback Dak Prescott suffered from a broken ankle early in the 2020 season and was out for the rest of the year. They still remained contenders for the playoffs, but were truly upsetting on defense, allowing for 473 points. When the season was over, the Cowboys released defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula (again, couldn’t have happened sooner). This season, they’ve got new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and are bringing back the Cover 3. We also saw most draft resources and free agents used on defense. If the Cowboys want to even have a chance at a winning season this year, they had to make defensive changes.

Cowboys vs Steelers live - welcome!

Good evening and welcome to our live feed of Cowboys vs Steelers! We kick off this preseason with two of the most talked-about teams in the league as they face off in the Hall-of-Fame game in Canton, Ohio.