PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers edged the New York Giants 26-18 on a night primarily marked by kicker performances, with Calvin Austin III playing a pivotal role by scoring two touchdowns.
Austin not only returned a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter—marking the franchise’s first such score in nearly five years—but he also caught a deep pass from Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter for his second receiving touchdown of the season.
Although the Steelers’ defense allowed rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. to have a standout game with 145 rushing yards and a touchdown, linebacker T.J. Watt made a crucial impact with a strip sack of Daniel Jones, recovering the fumble to prevent the Giants from capitalizing on Wilson’s earlier fumble. Beanie Bishop Jr. sealed the game for the Steelers with an interception on the Giants’ final drive.
In his second start with the Steelers, quarterback Russell Wilson built on his previous week’s performance, throwing for 278 yards and one touchdown. He showcased his arm strength with several deep passes, including a notable 29-yard touchdown strike to Austin early in the fourth quarter. Despite being sacked four times and losing a fumble, Wilson demonstrated improved mobility throughout the game.
The Steelers, despite a slow offensive start with just nine points in the first half, showed significant improvement in ball movement, achieving 14 plays of ten yards or more—a notable statistic since 2018. They registered 237 total yards offensively in the first half, which included 104 rushing yards, suggesting a potential shift from their previous slow-start issues. Additionally, they scored field goals on their first three possessions, a first since November 2023.
Austin’s 73-yard punt return for a touchdown was a pivotal moment, giving Pittsburgh a 16-9 lead after having two touchdowns called back. This scoring play not only energized the Steelers but also highlighted the effectiveness of their special teams under coach Danny Smith.
For the Giants, quarterback Daniel Jones struggled under pressure, finishing with 264 passing yards but no touchdowns and one interception. He fell to 1-15 in prime-time games, continuing a streak of seven consecutive losses.
The Giants’ offense faced difficulties from the outset, committing multiple penalties during their initial drives, which hindered their performance significantly. Their special teams also faltered, contributing to their mixture of struggles this season, as they have now lost six of eight games for the second consecutive year.
Despite the offensive issues, rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. delivered a bright spot for the Giants, rushing for 145 yards before leaving due to injury, including a 45-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
On the defensive front, the Giants’ run defense remained a major concern, allowing over 167 yards on the ground, with 104 of those in the first half alone. Coach Brian Daboll’s repeated frustrations with the team’s tackling and run fits highlight ongoing vulnerabilities.
Next up, the Steelers will face the Commanders on November 10, while the Giants aim to regroup against the Commanders on November 3.