FULL BOX SCORE
- Russ, Pickens have a particular factor brewing. One of the best factor that might have occurred for George Pickens‘ profession (and disposition) was Mike Tomlin deciding to insert Russell Wilson into the beginning lineup. After catching 5 passes for 111 yards and a landing in his first recreation with Wilson final week, Pickens and his new QB1 stored the magic getting into a defensive battle Monday night time, hooking up 4 instances for 74 yards — and twice for touchdowns that have been worn out, one by penalty and one other by replay evaluation. It is clear Wilson likes to look towards Pickens’ means (particularly downfield), and he is unlocked the Steelers’ most proficient weapon, bringing a brand new menace to an offense that wanted one. It additionally opens up the alternatives for others like Van Jefferson, who chipped in 4 catches for 62 yards, and balances out an offense that has obtained a few strong outings from Najee Harris (19 carries for 114 yards) within the final two video games. This was what Tomlin hoped may come from making the considerably controversial change from Justin Fields to Wilson, and after two wins, they are not trying again.
- Giants battle, then fumble away alternative. New York’s offense mustered a mixed 10 factors in its final two video games, and thru three quarters, the Giants had scored 9 factors by way of three subject targets. They’d gained 222 yards coming into the fourth, however have been simply 3 for 8 on third down and hadn’t threatened to succeed in the tip zone since their second drive of the night time. Urgency proved to be the very best motivator, as a two-touchdown deficit appeared to get up this Giants offense, which loved some shock success on the bottom within the fourth. However ultimately, the Giants wasted their finest probabilities. New York regained possession after forcing a Wilson fumble, then fumbled it away by leaving proper sort out Jermaine Eluemunor on an island towards all-world edge rusher T.J. Watt, which unsurprisingly resulted in a strip-sack on a vital third down. That was solely the most recent instance of the Giants failing to offer their tackles with some move safety help, and ended up being the most expensive (and irritating, contemplating it probably might have been averted with a chip from a working again). That’s the story of the Giants for many of this season: They commit loads of errors from a strategic and execution standpoint (see: their comical failed two-point conversion) and once they earn probabilities to combat their means again, they sink themselves. Jones’ game-sealing interception may very well be seen coming from miles away. These are your 2024 Giants.
- Steelers particular groups make distinction as soon as once more. The Steelers have had a superb particular groups unit all season, blocking a handful of opposing subject purpose makes an attempt to cease scoring alternatives of their tracks. They constructed on that Monday night time, breaking by means of what had been a subject purpose pageant by way of a 73-yard Calvin Austin III punt return landing. It felt as if that return formally burst the dam that had trapped each offenses, and kicked off three straight scores on as many possessions, with Wilson discovering Austin for a landing and Chris Boswell tacking on a subject purpose to maintain their lead at a landing’s distinction. The Steelers have a robust protection and an ascending offense, however we also needs to direct some consideration towards their particular groups. The third unit supplied the spark they desperately wanted to push their successful streak to a few.
- Does this loss shift the Giants’ method going ahead? Look, by now we have recognized and recognized the Giants’ limitations. This workforce is not threatening to make the playoffs. They’re restricted offensively for a lot of causes that stretch past their quarterback, and even after scoring 18 factors towards a stingy Steelers protection, there’s little motive to consider they will determine it out in time to warrant holding all the band collectively. In addition they have a protection that has some expertise, particularly up entrance, and Azeez Ojulari has completed an entire lot to spice up his inventory in the previous couple of weeks. He recorded two sacks Monday night time and has quietly been on a heater, particularly whereas taking part in rather than the injured Kayvon Thibodeaux. There are some contenders (Detroit, for instance) who might use edge-rushing assist. Will this loss, which dropped the Giants to the cellar of the NFC East at 2-6, inspire basic supervisor Joe Schoen to maneuver a participant or two (like Ojulari) in change for belongings? Contemplating Giants proprietor John Mara has already stated he doesn’t anticipate making adjustments at GM or coach, will the Giants settle for actuality for 2024 and construct towards the longer term?
Subsequent Gen Stats Perception from Giants-Steelers (by way of NFL Professional): Monday night time marked the Steelers’ second recreation with 400-plus complete yards in as many weeks, each with Russell Wilson beginning. That they had only one in six video games with Justin Fields because the beginning quarterback.
NFL Analysis: Alex Highsmith generated a career-high 12 pressures and two sacks on 38 move rushes, with 11 pressures and a sack coming towards left sort out Chris Hubbard, who was signed off the 49ers’ apply squad simply 10 days in the past.
