Not only did Austin score the franchise’s first punt in nearly five years in the third quarter, he then hit another Russell Wilson signature moonball in the quarter for his second touchdown of the season.
And although the Steelers defense allowed Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. to break out on a big rushing night with 145 yards and a touchdown, TJ Watt came through, as he often does, with a massive sack of Daniel Jones and fumble medication to prevent the Giants from capitalizing on Wilson’s fumble in the fourth quarter. Beanie Bishop Jr. had an interception that sealed the game against maximum pressure from the Giants.
QB Breakdown: In his first start as a Steeler, Russell Wilson had a different infection structure than his 245-yard performance in the past with 278 passing yards and one touchdown. Wilson unleashed his moonball several times during the win, most notably with some deep passes to Van Jefferson to complete the third quarter and a 29-yard bomb to Austin early in the fourth quarter for the first offensive touchdown in both. crew. At that landing level, Wilson was once 4-for-6 with a TD on passes of at least 20 yards of wind this season. Wilson was sacked four times and lost a fumble, but showed improved mobility and escape ability.
Promising development: Although they only posted nine problems in the first half, the Steelers were moving the ball at a remarkable pace, recording 14 plays of at least 10 yards. It was their most in a half since the last 2 in 2018 against the Kansas Town Chiefs, when they also had 14, according to ESPN Analysis. Before this time, the Steelers had struggled to move the ball in the first half, but they recorded 237 yards of offense, including 104 rushing yards, in the first two quarters, an indication that perhaps the slow starts are on the side. behind them. The Steelers also scored rushing goals on each of their first three series, marking the first since the last 10 of the 2023 season against the Packers who opened with three immediate classifications.
Fundamental games: Area name. Austin’s 73-yard touchdown in the third quarter was the Steelers’ first punt return for a touchdown since Diontae Johnson scored one in the final 14 of the 2019 season against the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did it give the Steelers their first touchdown of the night and a 16-9 lead after their first two were called again, but it was another feather in the cap of longtime Steelers special teams maestro Danny Smith . , whose unit opposed the kicks in three straight games through Monday night. Austin found the top zone again a quarter later on a 29-yard moonball from Wilson.
Next tournament: on Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 10)
Careless, careless, careless. The Giants are a team that needs to play games near the top to surpass elite contenders like the Steelers on the road. They didn’t do it on Monday night.
At some distance from him. The Giants and their suffering offense committed six goals in the first two series. One prevented a landing.
And then his teams, who seem to compete with his offense for the worst unit on the team, allowed a 73-yard punt return to land in Austin. That’s how you end up losing six of your first eight for the second year in a row.
QB Breakdown: Daniel Jones had a fruitful first half despite being under a bulky drive. He made 11 of 16 passes for 141 yards, but couldn’t get his team over the top. However, the puck was left in the second half. Jones was sacked four times, including a sack of Watt in the fourth quarter. Jones completed 24 of 38 passes for 264 yards with no touchdowns or an interception on the Steelers’ field in the final moments. Not enough now. Jones fell to a woeful 1-15 in old age, including seven straight losses.
The biggest gap in the tournament plan: Where is the race protection? The Giants still can’t seem to get it right. Tutor Brian Daboll continues to bemoan the team’s tracksuits. They didn’t hit much again, allowing 104 yards and 6.5 yards per lift in the rejected first half. The Giants came into the contest ranked 32nd in the NFL, allowing 5.43 yards per sprint. They allowed 167 yards in the outfield on Monday.
Sudden maximum efficiency: Tyrone Tracy Jr. The Giants appear to have found a running back. Tracy, a rookie fifth-round pick, had his second 100-yard tournament in four weeks and his first against the Steelers this season. He pushed for time for 145 yards on 20 carries before departing with a trauma. That comes with five runs of at least 10 yards, with a 45-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Visible statistics: 34.2 yards of wind to Darius Slayton. The Giants had to make some explosive plays and Jones and Slayton hit a deep ball against the Giants’ initial pressure for a 43-yard gain. It was just the second attempt thrown into more than 30 yards of wind that Jones completed this season. He was 1 of 11 passing on throws of more than 30 yards of wind before the first quarter tip-off Monday. The Giants finished with three explosive plays (20+ yards), but Jones was just 1 of 3 on deep passes.
Worrying development: The Deonte Banks Games. The Giants’ second-year cornerback was removed from the game in the second quarter due to a shaky tackle and comfortable defense. The crew did not present any trauma. Rather, the 2023 first-round pick was traded for Greg Stroman Jr. only once the future Banks made a necessary attempt to take on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Now it’s not encouraging.
Next tournament: vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 3)
