PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) defeated the New York Giants (2-6) 26-18 on “Monday Night Football.”
Here are five takeaways from the Week 8 finale.
Steelers special teams continue elite stretch
Pittsburgh’s offense was only able to muster three field goals in the first half. That’s why it came as no surprise that its special teams made the biggest play of the game.
Late in the third quarter, wide receiver Calvin Austin III returned a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown.
It wasn’t the first big play by the Steelers special teams unit this season, though.
The last three weeks, they forced the New York Jets to miss a field goal, blocked a punt against the Las Vegas Raiders and blocked a field goal vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
Austin’s punt return came at a great time, too, as the last Steelers player to return a punt for a touchdown was wide receiver Diontae Johnson in 2019.
The legend of special teams coordinator Danny Smith continues to grow.
Giants penalties shadow promising night
Like Pittsburgh, New York’s offense moved the ball well throughout the game with 394 total yards.
However, it was the Giants who had several big plays brought back by penalties.
It was a bit surprising since that hadn’t been the case this season. They entered Monday as the second-least penalized team (35 penalties) in the league.
New York had season-high 11 penalties for 65 yards on the night.
Steelers should trade for Giants WR Darius Slayton
Pittsburgh has been subject to trade talks since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March.
While wide receivers Van Jefferson and Austin III did combine for seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown, that hasn’t been the case all season. That’s why the Steelers should strongly consider trading for Slayton after getting an extended look at him.
The 27-year-old had his way for much of the night with a team-leading 108 receiving yards on four catches. He would bolster Pittsburgh’s improving offense.
RB Tyrone Tracy takes over Giants backfield
Veteran running back Devin Singletary has lead New York’s backfield for much of the season, but it was the fifth-round rookie who shined the brightest on Monday night.
Tracy ran for a team-leading 145 yards on 20 carries (7.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown.
The 24-year-old seems to have taken over the Giants backfield halfway through the year and won’t give it back if he continues stacking similar performances.
He ran for 716 yards on 113 carries (6.3 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns in his final season at Purdue.
Steelers “Monday Night Football” dominance continues
Pittsburgh has been dominant when playing the host on “Monday Night Football.” It has now won 22 straight “MNF” home games dating back to 1992.
In fact, the last time the Steelers lost on “MNF” at home was against the Giants in 1991.
However, they didn’t let that happen again this year as they extended their streak and took the lead in the AFC North heading into their bye.
