Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) – New York Giants (2-6): 26-18
On paper, the Steelers should easily win this Monday evening match against the Giants bruised by the humiliation suffered against the Eagles last week. They won this match, but it was very tough against the valiant Giants who fought until the last second. While the Giants got the ball back in the final two minutes to potentially tie the game, Daniel Jones (24/38, 264 yards, 1 INT) threw an ugly interception to close out the game. Far from being ridiculous and well helped by his runner Tyrone Tracy (150 yards, 1 TD), the former Duke quarterback can blame himself for having missed the opportunity to finally be the hero.
The Steelers defense did not shine as usual, but the duo TJ Watt (2 sacks) / Alex Highsmith (2 sacks) was enough to control the limited Giants. Russell Wilson (20/28, 278 yards, 1 TD) did not shine as expected, but he was able to make the decisive throws to bring in the necessary points and take advantage of the form of Calvin Austin (54 yards, 2 TDs including 1 in ST). However, there remains to be worked on a chronic inefficiency in the red zone which could have cost the match.
With this victory the Steelers are still high in the AFC hierarchy. The Giants are unfortunately already thinking about the draft.
A finishing problem for Daniel Jones and Russell Wilson
The first half is a caricature as the two teams play like a mirror. The attacks advance, carried by efficient runners, like Najee Harris (114 yards) for the Steelers and Tyrone Tracy for the Giants.
But as soon as the red zone arrives, the quarterbacks' arms soften, and the defenses respond. The result is clear: 3 field goals for each team, without any touchdown. The score at the halfway point is 9-9, and neither team dominates.
A special action to unlock the match
It's Calvin Austin who has the honor of restarting the show, with the first touchdown of the match on a punt return. A few minutes later, it was again he who was found in the endzone for a touchdown (23-9). The Steelers finally take off and put the Giants under pressure.
With their backs to the wall, New York returns to this match with a touchdown from Tyrone Tracy on the ground from 45 yards (23-15). Then start a mirror game again. A Steelers field goal? one of the Giants. A Russell Wilson fumble? A Daniel Jones fumble.
Until the decisive moment when Jones threw the interception that will seal this game, and more than ever gives the AFC North lead to Pittsburgh.
