The Steelers and Cowboys enter Week 15 with 7-6 records and tenuous postseason hopes. Pittsburgh will face Dallas in the Jerry Dome without their No. 1 cornerback, Ike Taylor, and an offensive line that will feature a rookie right side and a new left guard.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, will try to win their eighth game of the season with their best wideout, Dez Bryant, battling through a broken left index finger. And, according to NFL Network's Ian Raporport, Dallas' 2012 first-round pick, cornerback Morris Claiborne, isn't expected to play at all after leaving last week's game against the Bengals with a concussion.
#Cowboys expected to play without CB Morris Claiborne. Told he hasn't passed his concussion tests. Barring a late change, [Mike] Jenkins will start
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2012
Both teams have a host of issues. Yes, Pittsburgh has young, fast wideouts, but the offensive line is currently held together by duct tape. The Steelers' secondary is in even worse shape. Taylor's out, but so is backup Cortez Allen, which means that just-signed-off-the-street Josh Victorian could start.
Put another way: arguably the most important game of the season for both teams could be decided by the quality of the backups.
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