Keys to Victory: What the Giants look to do in Pittsburgh

The New York Giants (2-5) will look to pick up their third road win of the season against a Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) franchise that has a 21-game winning streak at home on Monday Night Football.

The incredible run started after a 23-20 loss at Three Rivers Stadium on Oct. 14, 1991. Who was the opponent that night? The Giants.

Here are keys for the Big Blue to bookend the streak:

Since their Week 5 win at Seattle, the Giants’ longest pass play is 15 yards. Their longest run, meanwhile, is 13 yards. Consequently, they have totaled just 10 points in their last two outings while converting eight third downs on 29 attempts.

“You never accept where we’re at whether you’re on top or obviously where we’re at right now, which is not good enough,” coach Brian Daboll said. “I’ve clearly stated that. We’ll do everything we can do to improve the things we need to improve on to correct some of those issues that we’re having and ultimately score points. That’s the job. And we’re not getting that done. Again, two of the big things we need to keep working on to correct to help those things are explosives and third down. And going back and evaluating those things. We’re just off a little bit here.”

On the other side, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson has 1,500 more deep pass yards (20+ air yards) than any other player since 2016. The Giants have allowed league highs in completion percentage (72.7) and passer rating (154.4) on deep passes in 2024.

The bright lights of Monday night will shine on two of the best pass-rushers in the game. Since individual sacks became an official statistic in 1982, 33 different players have claimed at least one single-season title. The Steelers’ T.J. Watt is the only three-time winner. The Giants’ Dexter Lawrence is looking to become just the fourth interior lineman to win it.

Last week, in their first game without left tackle Andrew Thomas, the Giants allowed a season-high eight sacks after they gave up just nine in the previous five games.

“T.J. Watt is a premier player in this league, one of the best defensive players in the league,” Daboll said in his weekly conversation with Giants.com. “He’s been going against protection schemes since he’s been in the league. We’re going to have to account for him. But (outside linebacker Alex) Highsmith on the other side is very impressive when you watch him on tape. And (defensive lineman Cameron) Heyward is a problem inside. This is one of the most formidable defensive lines in the league. (Pittsburgh defensive line coach) Karl Dunbar does a great job with them. It’s certainly a challenge. It’s going to be a big challenge to play on the road against this defense, which seems like it hasn’t really changed. The type of players they have – this is a model of consistency, this team.”

The Giants, who are on pace to break the NFL single-season sacks record, want to force the Steelers into passing situations. They can do that by winning early downs, particularly against the run. Najee Harris is looking for his third consecutive game with 100 rushing yards and a touchdown, while the Steelers are 4-0 when they gain at least 125 yards on the ground.

Malik Nabers needs one catch in Week 8 to become the third player in the Super Bowl era with 40+ receptions in his first six career games. He would join Puka Nacua (50 receptions, 2023) and Saquon Barkley (40 receptions, 2018).

Pittsburgh’s .679 winning percentage on Monday Night Football is the highest in the NFL (minimum 50 games).

The Giants lead the all-time series with the Steelers, 44-31-3.