The Steelers are coming off back-to-back wins and back-to-back outputs of 30-plus points. Now at 5-2, they have a great opportunity to improve to 6-2 ahead of their bye in Week 9, as a bad Giants teams comes to town for Monday Night Football.
Here's a snapshot of what New York brings into Week 8:
NEW YORK GIANTS
Record: 2-5
Standing: Fourth, NFC East
Last result: Lost to Eagles, 28-3
THE TREND
The Giants come into this game as one of the worst teams in the NFL. Not only is their 2-5 record bad, their -50 point differential is sixth-worst in the NFL, and for a team that wants to run the ball successfully, they rank 25th with 101.6 rushing yards per game and have the fifth-worst rush EPA in the league.
This team has been held to single-digit point outputs three different times this season, all in losses to the Vikings, Bengals and Eagles. The performance against the Bengals is extremely alarming considering the Bengals have a pretty terrible defense, especially against the run.
The Giants' only two wins have come against the Browns, who are an even bigger mess, and Seahawks, which is perhaps one of the more surprising results of this NFL season. It's one of the reasons why no team is to ever be taken lightly.
It is worth noting that both of the Giants' wins have come on the road, and Seattle is an especially difficult place for any road team. For a 2-5 team to be 2-1 on the road, that's something to be aware of, especially since the Steelers are currently 5.5-point favorites.
THE QUARTERBACK
Of all the quarterbacks the Steelers will face this season, Daniel Jones might be the one that strikes the least amount of fear into the defense.
The Steelers have been adamant about Jones' running ability and how the Giants like to use him in the running game with designed quarterback runs. There's some merit to that as Jones previously ran for 708 yards with an average of 5.9 yards per attempt in 2022. However, he's currently having his least efficient season on the ground, gaining 184 yards on 50 carries, an average of just 3.7 yards per carry.
In addition, Jones is unable to push the ball downfield unless he holds onto it for too long. His time to throw average is a respectable 2.74 seconds, but his 6.9 average intended air yards is one of the lowest marks in the league. And, when he's pressured up the middle, it limits his ability to escape and make plays:
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSmedia) October 25, 2024
Bottom line, Jones is having his least productive and efficient season as a runner, while also being a below-the-line passer. He's completing just 62.5% of his passes, the second-lowest mark of his career. He's got six touchdowns passes (no rushing touchdowns) and four interceptions. Of 31 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 23rd in EPA per play, 21st in success rate, 19th in completion percentage above expected (CPOE) and ranks 25th in average air yards.
The Steelers have to contain Jones on the ground and force him to beat them over the top. He can hit the occasional shot down the field, but they are too inconsistent to be taken as a major threat. Plus, he's been sacked 21 times, which was the second-most in the league heading into Week 8. Only Deshaun Watson has been sacked more. Pressure with containment should do the trick.
THE OFFENSE
While Jones is underwhelming in his own way, the offense as a whole is even worse. This unit ranks 31st with 14.1 points per game, 30th with 290.7 total yards per game, 23rd with 189.1 passing yards per game, 25th with 101.6 rushing yards per game and 29th with 4.5 yards per play.
They also rank 26th in EPA per play, 24th in dropback EPA, 28th in rush EPA, 29th in red zone percentage and 22nd in third-down percentage. It really doesn't matter if you look at traditional stats or advanced metrics, there's nothing at which this offense excels.
They have a really talented receiver in Malik Nabers, who was selected sixth overall out of LSU in this year's draft. Nabers is a superb athlete who can do quite a bit for himself. He doesn't need to be schemed open. His start and stop ability is quite impressive, giving him the ability to get open with ease (top of the screen):
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSmedia) October 25, 2024
One of the main problem with this unit is they lack firepower. Nabers is a really good receiver, but Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson is a pretty lacking receiver room. Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy are both solid No. 2 backs, but the two of them combined don't come close to making up for the loss of Saquon Barkley. And, the Giants lost left tackle Andrew Thomas for the season, their best offensive lineman. It's a pretty subpar unit up front, which helps explain why the running game and pass protection is suspect, at the bare minimum.
This could be the worst offense the Steelers face all season. Of course, they can't take them lightly, but there is a reason why this unit has struggled so much this season: They're just not very good.
THE DEFENSE
The Giants are a bit more accomplished on the defensive side of the ball. They currently are tied for 12th with 21.3 points allowed per game, and even boast the sixth-best pass defense with 179.4 passing yards allowed per game. But, context matters. The run defense isn't nearly as good, as they rank 25th with 138.1 rushing yards allowed per game. The metrics aren't very impressive for this defense, as they rank 21st in EPA per play and success rate, 19th in both dropback EPA and rush EPA.
However, this defense does excel at a few things. They are allowing teams to convert third downs just 30.1% of the time, which is third best in the league. They also rank ninth with only 1.76 points allowed per drive. But, they are the best in the NFL at getting to the quarterback, as they lead the league with 31 sacks. And, the Giants rank only 14th in blitz percentage, so they're not getting home because they're selling out for sacks.
It all begins up front with Dexter Lawrence. Mike Tomlin was very complimentary of Lawrence during his Tuesday press conference this week, and for good reason. Not only is he a problem in the running game, he leads the NFL with nine sacks. Lawrence is an absolute house. Even double teams aren't enough to stop him:
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSmedia) October 25, 2024
Thought Kayvon Thibodeaux is currently on injured reserve, there are still plenty of players that can get after the quarterback. Brian Burns has four sacks, as does Azeez Ojulari, who's playing in place of Thibodeaux. 12 different Giants players have all registered at least one sack. They know how to get after the quarterback.
The Giants are, however, considerably weaker once offenses can get past the defensive front. Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke are solid linebackers, but McFadden is a run stopper and bad in coverage while Okereke is the opposite. Tyler Nubin is a good safety and Dru Phillips is a really good nickel cornerback, but the rest of the secondary is lacking. The second and third levels of the Giants' defense isn't nearly as formidable as their impressive front.
THE SPECIAL TEAMS
The Giants have had injury issues on special teams. Graham Gano is currently on IR, Greg Joseph is handling placekicking duties. He's 9 of 12 this season, missing all three in the 40-49-yard range. Jamie Gillan is typically the punter, but he may not be able to go this week, leaving Matt Haack to fill in. Haack has the same exact number of net yards per punt as Gillan, so there appears to be no drop off or improvement there.
THE INJURY REPORT
• Dexter Lawrence, DT (hip) -- Lawrence didn't practice Thursday, but was able to be a limited participant on Friday and Saturday. There's no injury designation for Lawrence, so he's cleared to play.
• Cor'Dale Flott, CB (groin) -- Flott was one of six Giants players who didn't practice Thursday, but was able to participate on a limited basis on Friday and Saturday. However, he's officially doubtful for the game. Flott starts opposite of Deonte Banks at outside cornerback. If he can't go, Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III or Adoree' Jackson could get increased snaps.
• Jamie Gillan, P (hamstring) -- Gillan is the primary punter, and he missed practice all week, Matt Haack will step in at punter.
• Tre Hawkins III, CB (ankle) -- Same as Flott, Hawkins didn't practice Thursday, but was a limited participant on Friday and Saturday. However, he's officially questionable, giving him a better chance at earning a helmet. Hawkins is one of the depth options at cornerback if Flott can't play.
• Adoree' Jackson, CB (neck) -- Jackson is also a depth option at cornerback, but he won't be available this week. He didn't practice all week and has been officially ruled out.
• Ty Summers, LB (ankle) -- Summers also didn't practice all week and has been ruled out Monday night. Summers is a depth option at inside linebacker.
• Brian Burns, OLB (groin/Achilles) -- Burns has been playing with a groin injury all season, and recently tweaked his Achilles. After being a limited participant Thursday, he did not practice Friday. He was able to return to practice Saturday as a limited participant, and the Giants cleared him to play with no injury designation.
• Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR (Achilles) -- Ford-Wheaton was limited on Thursday but fully participated on Friday and Saturday. He's cleared to play. Ford-Wheaton is a depth option at receiver, primarily playing as a special teamer.
• Jalin Hyatt, WR (rib) -- Hyatt was a full participant all week and is cleared to play next to Nabers and Slayton at receiver.
• Jermaine Eluemunor, OT (hip) -- Eluemunor popped up on Friday's injury report with a hip injury and did not practice either Friday or Saturday. The Giants are still leaving the light on for him by listing him as questionable. He's the starter at right tackle, so he's got his hands full with T.J. Watt even if he's 100% healthy.
Players on injured reserve:
• Graham Gano, K (hamstring)
• Dyontae Johnson, LB (ankle)
• Gunner Olszewski, WR (groin)
• Elijah Riley, DB (concussion)
• Austin Schlottmann, OL (leg)
• Kayvon Thibodeaux, OLB (wrist)
• Andrew Thomas, OT (foot)
QUOTABLE
"Good defense, tough place to play. Obviously, we've heard about it. But we're focused on us. I think putting so much time and energy into them and what they do. I'm focused on us and playing well as a group together. Getting back to doing a lot of the things we were doing and then improving those from there. Obviously, last week, not a good game. But at points, we've played with the rhythm, executed. We've got to get back to that and that's what we're focused on." -- Daniel Jones on playing the Steelers in Pittsburgh
"They have a great history, a great culture in that organization, and a lot of pride. Their fans bring it every game. That black and yellow, you really feel it on game day. So, just understand you're going into a hostile environment. Understanding they want to play old school football. Play great defense, run the football, and take care of it. So, we'll have a great challenge ahead of us. Got to create turnovers and got to stop the run." -- Bobby Okereke on what makes playing in Pittsburgh difficult
"Not necessarily. I mean you have run the ball in order to -- you can't just go out there and throw the ball every play. Regardless of how bad a team is against the pass or run, you have to do both. You have to be balanced. They're a physical unit, they're a good unit. But obviously we've got to attack them on the ground and attack them in the air. Hitting people on the ground helps with the pass game, helps with pass protection and helps linebackers further up which allows for bigger passing lanes. So obviously, we're going to have to do a variety things to keep them off balance." -- Darius Slayton on if the Giants should attack the Steelers in the air