PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) defeated the New York Giants (2-6) 26-18 on “Monday Evening Soccer.”
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the Week 8 finale.
Steelers particular groups proceed elite stretch
Pittsburgh’s offense was solely capable of muster three subject objectives within the first half. That is why it got here as no shock that its particular groups made the largest play of the sport.
Late within the third quarter, large receiver Calvin Austin III returned a 73-yard punt return for a landing.
It wasn’t the primary huge play by the Steelers particular groups unit this season, although.
The final three weeks, they compelled the New York Jets to overlook a subject purpose, blocked a punt in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders and blocked a subject purpose vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
Austin’s punt return got here at a good time, too, because the final Steelers participant to return a punt for a landing was large receiver Diontae Johnson in 2019.
The legend of particular groups coordinator Danny Smith continues to develop.
Giants penalties shadow promising evening
Like Pittsburgh, New York’s offense moved the ball nicely all through the sport with 394 complete yards.
Nevertheless, it was the Giants who had a number of huge performs introduced again by penalties.
It was a bit stunning since that hadn’t been the case this season. They entered Monday because the second-least penalized staff (35 penalties) within the league.
New York had season-high 11 penalties for 65 yards on the evening.
Steelers ought to commerce for Giants WR Darius Slayton
Pittsburgh has been topic to commerce talks since buying and selling Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March.
Whereas large receivers Van Jefferson and Austin III did mix for seven catches for 116 yards and a landing, that hasn’t been the case all season. That is why the Steelers ought to strongly contemplate buying and selling for Slayton after getting an prolonged take a look at him.
The 27-year-old had his method for a lot of the evening with a team-leading 108 receiving yards on 4 catches. He would bolster Pittsburgh’s bettering offense.
RB Tyrone Tracy takes over Giants backfield
Veteran operating again Devin Singletary has lead New York’s backfield for a lot of the season, however it was the fifth-round rookie who shined the brightest on Monday evening.
Tracy ran for a team-leading 145 yards on 20 carries (7.3 yards per carry) and a landing.
The 24-year-old appears to have taken over the Giants backfield midway by way of the yr and will not give it again if he continues stacking related performances.
He ran for 716 yards on 113 carries (6.3 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns in his ultimate season at Purdue.
Steelers “Monday Evening Soccer” dominance continues
Pittsburgh has been dominant when taking part in the host on “Monday Evening Soccer.” It has now gained 22 straight “MNF” dwelling video games relationship again to 1992.
The truth is, the final time the Steelers misplaced on “MNF” at dwelling was in opposition to the Giants in 1991.
Nevertheless, they did not let that occur once more this yr as they prolonged their streak and took the lead within the AFC North heading into their bye.
