Giants extend streak of primetime futility with 26-18 loss to Steelers
The New York Giants came into Pittsburgh on Monday night needing a win to keep their hopes for a successful season alive against the AFC North-leading Steelers.
The Steelers had won 21 straight games at home on Monday night while the Giants have struggled mightily with Daniel Jones under center in primetime, winning just once in 16 games and never on Monday Night Football.
The streaks would continue on in this game.
Final score: Steelers 26, Giants 18
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
Giants | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 18 |
Steelers | 6 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 26 |
Keys to the game
The Giants committed 11 penalties for 65 yards in the game. One cost them a touchdown and several others killed drives.
The Giants went 0-3 in the red zone while holding Pittsburgh to 0-4 in the red zone. The lack of execution down low on offense has gotten to a frustrating level. The Giants came into the game tied for last in red zone offense, converting on just 42.1 percent of their trips. Now they're last.
Daniel Jones did a nice job dodging the rush in the first half but one can only do that for so long against the Steelers' pass rush. He was hit a total of 12 times in the game and sacked four times with a lost fumble.
It was over when...
With 3:04 remaining in the game, the Giants were down by eight on the Pittsburgh 19 yard-line. On third-and-7, Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt recorded a strip sack of Daniel Jones and recovered the fumble on the Pittsburgh 28, ending the Giants' scoring drive.
The Giants attempted a last-minute attempt to drive 93 yards to a possible tying score but were stopped with 42 seconds remaining after Pittsburgh's Beanie Bishop intercepted Jones on the 28-yard line.
Players of the Game
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushed 20 times for 145 yards (7.3 YPC) including a 45-yard touchdown run. He also had two receptions for five yards.
WR Darius Slayton had four receptions for 108 yards including a 43-yard reception.
LB Bobby Okereke led the team with 14 total tackles, a half-sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Injuries
Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was listed with a shoulder injury at halftime but began the third quarter as the Giants' starting back. He later would leave the game late in the fourth quarter to be checked for a concussion.
Cornerback Deonte Banks was benched after getting hurdled by Steelers running back Najee Harris right before halftime. Greg Stroman played the remainder of the game in his place.
What's next?
Head coach Brian Daboll will hold a Zoom call with the team's beat writers on Tuesday afternoon before a few players are also made available.
Big Blue will return to practice on Wednesday ahead of a Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. EST.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants extend streak of primetime futility with 26-18 loss to Steelers