There’s a reason Mike Tomlin is currently the longest-tenured coach in the NFL. After all, who would make a quarterback change on a 4-2 team that’s firmly in the playoff and division title hunt? But Pittsburgh, now quarterbacked by Russell Wilson, looks like even more of a threat in the AFC after breaking out on offense in a 37-15 win over the Jets last week.
Wilson proved to be an upgrade over Justin Fields for the Steelers’ passing game with the ability to push the ball downfield. The resulting deep shots opened up more in the intermediate passing game for the Steelers and running lanes for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who combined to rush for nearly 150 yards.
Visiting Pittsburgh on “Monday Night Football” (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC and streaming on ESPN+) are the 2-5 New York Giants, who boast a top-10 pass defense (sixth in the NFL, 179.4 YPG) and have the most sacks in the league with 31. The New York offense, though, hasn’t been as productive, ranking 29th in yards per game and prompting head coach Brian Daboll to have to say this week that the team is sticking with Daniel Jones at quarterback. Jones ranks near the bottom of the league in passer rating (80.6) among qualified starters with at least five starts.
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End of 1st quarter: Steelers 6, Giants 3
The first quarter ends with New York on a 3rd-and-7 at the Steelers’ 33-yard line.
Alex Highsmith was called for roughing the passer that moved the ball to Pittsburgh’s 36.
Giants’ offensive line opening big holes
Tyrone Tracy gets a 10-yard run, thanks to an enormous hole opened up by the Giants’ offensive line. He has 21 yards on five carries thus far.
Holding wipes out 20-yard run for Tyrone Tracy, Jr.
The Giants are hurt by another penalty. Tyrone Tracy Jr. rips off a 20-yard run, but it’s nullified by a holding call on Jon Runyan.
Field goal: Steelers 6, Giants 3
A one-yard run from Najee Harris followed by two consecutive incomplete passes from Russell Wilson means Pittsburgh has to settle for another field goal. Chris Boswell is good from 25 yards.
Back-to-back big plays for Pittsburgh
The Steelers get a 29-yard catch by Darnell Washington and follow that up with a 26-yard run from Najee Harris. First-and-goal from the Giants’ 8-yard line.
Field goal: Giants 3, Steelers 3
Greg Joseph’s 29-yard field goal ties the score at 3–3.
Both teams have strong opening drives that stalled in the red zone due to penalties.
Delay of game on the Giants
Penalties in the red zone are hurting the Giants too. New York called for delay of game, making it 3rd-and-12 from the Pittsburgh 18-yard line.
Explosive play from Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones hits Darius Slayton for a 43-yard pass on 1st-and-10 to the Steelers’ 16-yard line.
Field goal: Steelers 3, Giants 0
Broderick Jones’ facemask penalty was costly. It took a touchdown off the board and turned a 2nd-and-9 into a 2nd-and-24.
Steelers get a four-yard run and nine-yard reception from Jaylen Warren, but have to settle for a Chris Boswell field goal. A promising drive fizzles out at the end.
Steelers 3, Giants 0
Steelers TD wiped out by penalty
The Steelers scored on an 11-yard TD pass from Russell Wilson to George Pickens. But a facemask penalty on Broderick Jones wipes out the touchdown.
Dexter Lawrence’s shoe comes off
Dexter Lawrence briefly came off the field, but it was because his left shoe came off. No injury, Giants fans.
Najee Harris running hard
Najee Harris has 25 yards on his first three carries. His past two rushes each went for 10 yards.
Steelers have the ball first
The Giants won the coin toss and deferred, so the Steelers will be on offense to begin the game.
Steelers vs. Giants all-time
It doesn’t mean anything for tonight’s matchup, but the Giants have a 44–31–3 allime record versus the Steelers.
Giants Inactives
GIANTS INACTIVES: P Jamie Gillan CB Adoree’ Jackson CB Cor’Dale Flott LB Ty Summers G Jake Kubas DL Jordon Riley QB Tommy DeVito (3rd)
STEELERS INACTIVES: CB C.J. Henderson OLB Nick Herbig C Zach Frazier RB Cordarrelle Patterson QB Justin Fields (3rd) pic.twitter.com/fMucG61G6m
