It pits the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers against the 2-5 New York Giants under the lights at Acrisure Stadium. Both teams come into this game with contrasting forms, with Pittsburgh riding high with a strong record while the Giants hope for a rebound after some recent struggles. This is going to be a really intense matchup, considering how well the Steelers’ defense has been performing, and the Giants will be trying to right their season.
Game Details
- Date: Monday, October 28, 2024
- Time: 8:15 PM ET
- Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
- TV: ESPN
Mathups of Note to Keep an Eye On
Pittsburgh’s Defense vs. New York’s Offense
The Steelers’ defense has consistently kept opponents at bay, allowing an average of just 14.4 points per game, second-best in the league. Along with Watt – who has 4.5 sacks – safety DeShon Elliott should also pressure Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who, throughout the season, has struggled with the lack of protection. He has been sacked frequently, and if the Giants’ star tackle, Andrew Thomas, is out, this mismatch could prove pivotal.
Russell Wilson and the Steelers’ Passing Game
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will be trying to keep up the good performances. Completing 55.2% of his passes, Wilson has hooked up well with wide receivers George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth, who have combined for 719 receiving yards and three touchdowns. With the Giants allowing 317.6 yards per game defensively, Pittsburgh’s passing game could find an opportunity against a secondary that hasn’t been consistent so far this season.
Run Game: Najee Harris vs. Giants’ Devin Singletary
The Steelers are led in rushing by Najee Harris, who has 478 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, providing the key offensive boost needed to sustain drives. On the other hand, the Giants have struggled on offense, relying a lot on Devin Singletary, who’s led with 239 rushing yards but may struggle against the Steelers’ stout run defense, allowing only 134 yards per game on the ground.
Why the Steelers Are Favored
- Home Record and Monday Night Edge:
The Steelers are pretty strong at home, hauling five victories from their last eight games at Acrisure Stadium. They have an impressive record of 13-1 on Mondays at home since 2000. Also, they’re 9-1 against NFC East opponents when their opponent is on a losing streak, adding to the confidence boost going into this one.
- Giants’ Offensive Woes:
The New York offense this season has been lackluster, scoring an average of 14.1 points per game (30th in the NFL). With Pittsburgh’s tight defense not likely to let the Giants break through, more often than not, Pittsburgh will be in control of the tempo of the game and dominate possession.
Players to Watch
- Russell Wilson: Consistent in October, with 182+ passing yards in his last 14 October games as a favorite.
- Najee Harris: Harris comes in with a streak of 73+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last three outings, and he will be the main driving force for the Steelers offense. New York Giants:
- Daniel Jones: Jones has struggled of late but has completed 22+ passes in all of his last three underdog starts and has not lost complete playmaking ability when under pressure.
- Big Guy- Dexter Lawrence II: The big defensive man for the Giants with nine sacks this season. He’s got to disrupt Wilson’s timing to give his offense a fighting chance.
Prediction
With the Steelers ranked number one in third-quarter performances and with an exceptional home-field advantage, they will likely outplay a reeling Giants team. Moreover, adding to that, the defensive power of the Steelers plus the game-managing skills of Wilson, therefore, gives them the edge substantially to win by 6+ points.
Final Score Prediction: Steelers 24, Giants 13
For More Great Gridiron Heroics Content
Follow me on Twitter @BRRohrbaugh and follow us @GridironHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and stay updated on the latest in NFL and College Football, click here.
Leave a Comment
Share your thoughts and join the discussion