Fact or Fiction: Monday Night Football Edition

Dexter Lawrence will break Aaron Donald’s interior lineman sacks record of 20.5.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – Dexter Lawrence is as dominant a player as I have watched since I began covering the Giants in 2007. He cannot be blocked 1-on-1, but asking for 20 sacks from an interior pass rusher is a bit too far for me. Aaron Donald, aside from Lawrence Taylor, is one of the best defensive players in the history of the sport and even he only topped 13.5 sacks once. Can Dexter do it? Yes. It will also take a lot of luck. Lawrence’s pressure rate is actually lower than it was last year, and only 0.3 percent higher than 2022. I’ll bet against the luck.

Dan Salomone: Fact – He’s getting double-teamed while fighting through lower body injuries – and still putting up these numbers. There’s no reason to go “fiction” here.

Matt Citak: Fiction – Lawrence has gotten his season off to a dominant start with nine sacks through seven games, already topping his previous career-high of 7.5 sacks. But when you add in the fact that Lawrence is facing the highest double-team rate any player has seen in years, it’s hard to see him continuing at such a torrid pace. If Lawrence can get to even 15+ sacks this season, it would likely go down as one of the most dominant performances from an interior defensive lineman.

Pittsburgh has the best opposing defense in the NFL.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – The Steelers rank 10th in defensive DVOA, sixth in EPA allowed per play, and 14th in defensive success rate. They are good but not the best. Teams like the Vikings (yes, even after Thursday night), Broncos, Bears and Chargers are all probably better. Few teams take the ball away better than the Steelers, who are second in turnover ratio (+9) this season and tied for third with nine interceptions. The Giants are going to have to protect the ball if they want a chance to win Monday night.

Dan Salomone: Fact – The Steelers have allowed the fewest points in the NFL since Mike Tomlin took over in 2007. It’s a mindset for them. “There’s a style in which they play with that is physical and aggressive,” coach Brian Daboll said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for how they’ve done things for a long time ever since I’ve been in the league, just getting ready to play them. Well-coached, play tough, play physical, have a style that they play with, and then the atmosphere is one of the best when you go there and play at their stadium. Tough place to play and a very tough opponent.”

Matt Citak: Fact – The Steelers come into this game with the No. 2 scoring defense in the NFL, with only one opponent having scored more than 20 points against them this season and only two with more than 15 points. They sport the league’s No. 4 red zone defense, the No. 2 rushing defense, and rank fourth with their 13 takeaways, including five games with multiple turnovers. And all of this production has come with Alex Highsmith, their talented edge rusher that lines up opposite Watt, playing in only four games. With the talent they have at every level, the Steelers currently have the best defense in the NFL.