The New York Giants (2-5) are set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) this coming Monday at 8:15 p.m. EDT, with the game being broadcast on ESPN. According to BetMGM, the Steelers are favored by 6.5 points. Historically, the Giants hold a slight advantage in their all-time series against the Steelers, with a record of 46 wins, 32 losses, and 3 ties. In terms of performance against the spread, the Giants currently stand at 3-4 while the Steelers are at 5-2. The last time these teams met on September 14, 2020, the Steelers emerged victorious with a score of 26-16.
Recently, the Giants suffered a disappointing defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 28-3 at home. In contrast, the Steelers delivered a strong performance against the Jets, winning 37-15 on their home turf. As for team statistics, the Giants’ offense is currently rated 28th overall, 25th in rushing, 23rd in passing, and 30th in scoring. Defensively, they rank 12th overall, 25th against the run, 6th against the pass, and 12th in scoring. The Steelers’ offense stands at 19th overall, 9th in rushing, 26th in passing, and 16th in scoring, while their defense is looking strong at 8th overall, 3rd against the run, 22nd against the pass, and 2nd in scoring.
One key player to watch for the Giants is defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The two-time Pro Bowler is leading the NFL with a personal best of nine sacks, a total not seen from a Giants player in the first seven games since Michael Strahan’s 12.5 sacks in 2001. Additionally, Lawrence has made an impressive mark with six sacks over the last three games, the first Giants defender to achieve this since Jason Pierre-Paul in late 2014. On the Steelers’ side, running back Najee Harris is a player to keep an eye on. The fourth-year athlete has recently gained momentum in the running game, surpassing 100 rushing yards in each of the past two games—a feat he has only accomplished twice before in his career.
A crucial matchup to focus on will be the Giants’ offensive line against the Steelers’ formidable linebackers, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The Giants have faced difficulty in protecting quarterback Daniel Jones, and now they will confront one of the league’s top pass-rushing duos. Watt is turning in yet another All-Pro season, while Highsmith appears to have fully recovered from a previous injury that sidelined him for three games.
Injury reports indicate that the Giants will be missing punter Jamie Gillan (hamstring) and cornerback Adoree Jackson (neck) who both sat out last week. Additionally, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (groin) and backup linebacker Ty Summers (ankle) left the game due to injury. The Steelers will be without starting center Zach Frazier (ankle) and backup outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring). There is potential for running back and kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) to return after missing three games, as well as safety Damontae Kazee (ankle), who is also expected to play.
Historically, the Giants and Steelers have met 81 times, with the majority of their encounters occurring before the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. In recent matchups, the Steelers have claimed victory in four of the last five contests, including winning three straight. The Giants have an even record at Acrisure Stadium, with one win and one loss.
In terms of overall performance, the Giants have a road record of 2-1, while they struggle at home with a record of 0-4. The Steelers are looking strong, having won their last two games following two consecutive losses to the Colts and Cowboys. Pittsburgh aims for its best start since 2020, when they won their first 11 games. Noteworthy statistics for the Giants include running back Devin Singletary scoring in five out of his last six road games, while wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is tied for fifth in the NFL with 43 receptions. Moreover, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers returned to the lineup with four receptions after sitting out two games due to a concussion and has a total of 39 catches this season.
On the defensive front, the Giants lead the league with 31 sacks, an impressive statistic considering they had only 34 sacks in the entire previous season. Notably, they limited Philadelphia’s offense to just 10 successful passes last week. Quarterback Daniel Jones was sacked seven times in their last outing, marking his career total at 200, making him the 13th active quarterback to hit that milestone. And in an impressive defensive display, the Giants allowed only one third down conversion on 13 attempts against the Eagles.
For Pittsburgh, quarterback Russell Wilson made a notable debut last week, throwing for 264 yards—the second-highest total for a Steelers debut quarterback. Notably, he has extended his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 20 games, the longest active streak in the league. As a team, the Steelers have successfully scored over 30 points in their last two games, a first since 2020. They are also known for their resilience, being unbeaten at home on Monday nights for several seasons.
On the fantasy front, Wilson appears keen to involve receiver George Pickens more in their offensive scheme, having targeted him nine times in the last game against the Jets. This connection could flourish as Wilson continues to adapt to the Steelers’ roster, especially considering that the Giants’ pass defense, while statistically stable, has only managed one interception thus far this season. Expect Wilson to challenge the Giants’ secondary with deep throws aimed at Pickens.
