Three Super Bowls. Twenty-three Hall of Famers. A rivalry so electric it once commanded 74.7 million viewers glued to their screens. Now, the Cowboys and Steelers are set to write their next chapter – but Mother Nature wants the starring role.

A stormy forecast threatens to turn Sunday night’s clash at Acrisure Stadium into a throwback to old-school football. Meteorologists predict a 70% chance of severe thunderstorms, with rainfall between a quarter and half an inch expected during prime game hours of 8 PM to 2 AM.

For two franchises that first crossed paths in 1960 at the Cotton Bowl, this marks only their first prime-time meeting since 1982. The Cowboys cling to a 17-16 edge in their all-time series, but Pittsburgh has dominated recent matchups, winning three of their last five encounters – each decided by seven points or fewer.

The 65,050-seat Acrisure Stadium will test both teams with brutal conditions. Wind gusts up to 19 mph could turn routine passes into adventures, while humidity levels soaring to 84% will challenge ball security. As temperatures slide from 71°F at kickoff to 64°F by game’s end, the Desso Grassmaster surface could become increasingly treacherous.

Chuck Noll vs. Tom Landry. Terry Bradshaw vs. Roger Staubach. The Steel Curtain vs. America’s Team. Their matchups defined the 1970s from electric football tables to Super Bowl fields. Now, a new generation faces off under dark skies, carrying the weight of a rivalry NFL.com once crowned as a producer of the greatest Super Bowl ever played.

Cowboys limp into Steel City showdown

The Cowboys aren’t just battling elements – they’re facing a roster crisis. Veteran Brandin Cooks heads to IR with a knee infection, joining defensive cornerstones Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence on the sidelines.

Coach Mike McCarthy remains optimistic: “We’re confident that Brandon will come back strong and make a significant contribution to the team once he’s fully recovered.” Yet the timing stings – Cooks will miss crucial matchups against the Steelers, Lions, 49ers, and Falcons before becoming eligible to return.

The last time Dallas ventured into Pittsburgh, rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott orchestrated a memorable 35-30 victory in 2016. This time, they’ll lean on young talents like Jalen Tolbert alongside CeeDee Lamb. The practice squad duo of Jalen Cropper and Kelvin Harmon stands ready if called upon.

From Lynn Swann’s gravity-defying catches in Super Bowl X to Larry Brown’s game-changing interceptions in Super Bowl XXX, this rivalry has delivered unforgettable moments. Sunday night promises another memorable battle – not just against each other, but against the fury of the skies above Steel City.