Calvin Austin’s 2 TDs help lead Steelers past Giants

PITTSBURGH — On a Monday evening when kickers dominated, the Pittsburgh Steelers muscled previous the New York Giants 26-18 thanks to 2 journeys to the top zone courtesy of Calvin Austin III.

Not solely did Austin rating the franchise’s first punt return landing in almost 5 years within the third quarter, however he later caught one other signature Russell Wilson moon ball within the fourth for his second receiving TD of the season.

And although the Steelers protection allowed Giants rookie working again Tyrone Tracy Jr. to erupt for a profession speeding evening with 145 yards and a landing, T.J. Watt got here by means of — as he is apt to do — with a large strip sack of Daniel Jones and fumble restoration to maintain the Giants from capitalizing on Wilson’s fourth-quarter fumble. Beanie Bishop Jr. had a game-sealing interception on the Giants’ final drive.

QB breakdown: In his second begin as a Steeler, Russell Wilson had no downside constructing on his 245-yard efficiency from every week in the past with 278 passing yards and one landing. Wilson unleashed his moon ball a number of instances within the win, most notably with a pair of deep passes to Van Jefferson to finish the third quarter and a 29-yard bomb to Austin early within the fourth for the primary offensive landing by both crew. On the level of that landing, Wilson was 4-of-6 with a TD on passes of at the very least 20 air yards this season. Wilson was sacked 4 instances and misplaced a fumble, however confirmed elevated mobility and escapability.

Promising pattern: Although they solely put up 9 first-half factors, the Steelers have been shifting the ball at a powerful clip, recording 14 performs of at the very least 10 yards. It was their most in a half since Week 2 of 2018 vs. the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, when in addition they had 14, per ESPN Analysis. Previous to this week, the Steelers had bother shifting the ball within the first half, however they recorded 237 yards of offense — together with 104 speeding yards — within the first two quarters, an indication that maybe the sluggish begins are behind them. The Steelers additionally scored discipline targets on every of their first three drives, marking the primary time since Week 10 of the 2023 season in opposition to the Packers that they opened with three straight scores.

Pivotal play: Home name. Austin’s third-quarter, 73-yard landing was the Steelers’ first punt return for a TD since Diontae Johnson scored one in Week 14 of the 2019 season in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals. Not solely did it give the Steelers their first landing of the evening and a 16-9 lead after their first two have been referred to as again, but it surely was one other feather within the cap of longtime Steelers particular groups coach Danny Smith, whose unit blocked kicks in three consecutive video games getting into Monday evening. Austin discovered the top zone once more 1 / 4 in a while a 29-yard moon ball from Wilson.

Subsequent recreation: at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 10)

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. The Giants are a crew that should play near excellent to beat high quality opponents just like the Steelers on the highway. They did not do this Monday evening.

Removed from it. The Giants and their struggling offense dedicated six penalties on the primary two drives. One negated a landing.

After which their particular groups, which appears to be competing with their offense for the worst unit on the crew, allowed a 73-yard punt return for a landing to Austin. That is how you find yourself dropping six of your first eight for the second straight yr.

QB breakdown: Daniel Jones had a productive first half regardless of being beneath heavy stress. He went 11-of-16 passing for 141 yards, however was unable to get his crew into the top zone. The stress was an excessive amount of within the second half, although. Jones was sacked 4 instances, together with a strip sack by Watt within the fourth quarter. Jones completed 24-of-38 passing for 264 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Steelers territory within the ultimate moments. Not ok. Jones fell to a woeful 1-15 in prime time, which incorporates seven straight losses.

Largest gap in recreation plan: The place’s the run protection? The Giants nonetheless can not seem to get this proper. Coach Brian Daboll continues to lament the crew’s run matches. Not ok once more as they allowed 104 yards and 6.5 yards per carry within the first half alone. The Giants got here into the competition thirty second within the NFL, permitting 5.43 yards per rush. They allowed 167 yards on the bottom Monday.

Most stunning efficiency: Tyrone Tracy Jr. The Giants appear to have discovered a working again. Tracy, a rookie fifth-round choose, had his second 100-yard recreation in 4 weeks and the primary in opposition to the Steelers this season. He rushed for 145 yards on 20 carries earlier than leaving with an harm. That features 5 runs of at the very least 10 yards, with a 45-yard landing within the fourth quarter.

Eye-popping stat: 34.2 air yards to Darius Slayton. The Giants wanted to hit some explosive performs and Jones and Slayton linked on a deep ball on the Giants’ opening drive that went for a 43-yard acquire. It was simply the second cross thrown over 30-plus air yards that Jones has accomplished this season. He was 1-of-11 passing on throws of 30-plus air yards previous to the first-quarter toss Monday. The Giants completed with three explosive performs (20-plus yards), however Jones was simply 1-of-3 on deep balls.

Troubling pattern: Deonte Banks’ play. The Giants’ second-year cornerback was pulled from the sport within the second quarter after some shaky tackling and mushy protection. The crew didn’t report an harm. As an alternative, the 2023 first-round choose was changed by Greg Stroman Jr. only one week after Banks gave poor effort attempting to deal with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Not encouraging.

Subsequent recreation: vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 3)