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Stock up, down after Giants' 26-18 loss to Steelers

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The New York Giants continued to flounder in primetime, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-18, on Monday Night Football.

The loss drops the Giants to 2-6 on the season and effectively ends their year before Halloween. Although there is still a path to the playoffs, it's hard to envision Big Blue winning more than one or two of their remaining games this season.

Whose stock is up and whose is down after the Week 8 loss? Let's take a look.

Stock up: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Tyrone Tracy Jr. #29 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown with Darius Slayton #86 and John Michael Schmitz Jr. #61 during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Tyrone Tracy Jr. #29 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown with Darius Slayton #86 and John Michael Schmitz Jr. #61 during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. has taken the lead role from Devin Singletary and established himself as the team's true RB1. Not only is Tracy an effective runner but he's also an extremely talented receiver with game-breaking ability, as we saw on Monday night. There are flaws to his game that will get worked out over time but Tracy is beginning to look like a long-term answer at running back.

Stock down: QB Daniel Jones

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants throws a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants throws a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Quarterback Daniel Jones was a mixed bag in Week 8 and that's not a positive thing at this stage of the game. He turned the ball over twice on the team's final two offensive possessions, losing a fumble after failing to adjust protections and then overthrowing a receiver for the game-sealing interception. DJ is not the sole reason the Giants lost on Monday night but he once again failed to rise in the big moments.

Stock up: LB Bobby Okereke

Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) recovers a fumble by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) recovers a fumble by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

There are times that linebacker Bobby Okereke appears out of position but his role in Shane Bowen's defense is drastically different than Wink Martindale's. In the end, he fills that role and does his job which was again the case in primetime. He led the team with 14 tackles (seven solo), picked up a half-sack, and forced/recovered a fumble that put the Giants in position to tie or possibly win the game.

Stock down: CB Deonte Banks

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers avoids a tackle from Deonte Banks #3 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers avoids a tackle from Deonte Banks #3 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The Giants opted against benching cornerback Deonte Banks to start Monday night's game in Pittsburgh but ended up sidelining him shortly thereafter anyway. Although Banks was giving full effort this time around, that effort did very little on the field. Considering the investment made in Banks, this regression reflects poorly on general manager Joe Schoen. The handling of Banks also reflects poorly on head coach Brian Daboll.

Stock up: WR Darius Slayton

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants makes a catch in front of Donte Jackson #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants makes a catch in front of Donte Jackson #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

We're not going to credit Darius Slayton with a drop in Week 8 because he was led into a defender on the throw. It was a bang-bang play and he had no chance to ready himself for the hit. Outside of that debate, Slayton played well against the Steelers, hauling in four receptions for 108 yards -- two of which went for over 35 yards. It was more steady play from a steady player.

Stock down: Head coach Brian Daboll

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants walks the sidelines during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants walks the sidelines during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

There will be some who feel we're too critical of Brian Daboll at this point. However, there is no defense of his play-calling, his decision to go for two points, the two-point play call, the mishandling of Deonte Banks, the lack of discipline displayed by his players, and the crumbling of his locker room. And, of course, this all comes on the heels of an assistant coaching exodus this offseason and an attempt by Mike Kafka to escape East Rutherford, as well as multiple instances of poor personnel handling that cost the Giants games earlier this season. While Daboll does flash coaching brilliance at times (ex. His understanding of the rulebook that allowed the Giants to get the ball back with 2:00 remaining) there are entirely too many negatives piling up to ignore.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Stock up, down after Giants' 26-18 loss to Steelers