Giants vs. Steelers: Preview, prediction, what to watch for

An wrong look astatine Monday’s Giants-Steelers NFL Week 8 matchup at Acrisure Stadium:

Marquee matchup

Steelers OLB T.J. Watt vs. Giants RT Jermaine Eluemunor

The numbers are overwhelming and moreover they do not do justness to what a disruptor Watt is each game.

He has 101 sacks successful 111 profession games; successful 2021, he matched Michael Strahan’s NFL single-season grounds of 22.5 sacks.

Watt lines up almost exclusively crossed from nan correct tackle and that intends Eluemunor will beryllium connected nan basking seat. “Great player, obviously,’’ Eluemunor said.

Asked what nan cardinal is to incorporate Watt, Eluemunor said, “Shoot, get disconnected nan shot quicker than him.

That’s each it is, really, don’t fto him impact nan crippled by doing nan things he’s really bully at.’’

Eluemunor missed clip this past week pinch a groin issue. If he is incapable to play, Evan Neal could get nan call, and nan Giants clasp their breath. 

Four downs

Good luck: The Steelers are starting Ryan McCollum, a third-string center, and his duty this week is nan subordinate dominating nan convention for illustration nary 1 else.

Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence went into this play starring nan NFL successful sacks pinch 9 and he has been double-teamed much often than anyone else.

Expect nan Steelers to proceed that strategy.

“You’re not gonna get a batch done unless you’re prepared to put 4 hands connected him,’’ Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Guys for illustration Ryan McCollum, who are getting an opportunity to ascend and play, it’s gonna beryllium a important challenge, but we amended do much than wish Ryan McCollum luck.” 

Tough environs: Facing nan Steelers connected nan road, nary matter what they now telephone their stadium (adieu, Heinz Field), is usually a unsmooth duty for visiting teams.

The passion, nan golden Terrible Towels, nan strength is each adjacent level.

This is overseas territory for galore connected nan roster, arsenic nan Giants person not played successful Pittsburgh since 2016.

Defensive extremity Brian Burns, successful his first twelvemonth pinch nan Giants aft 4 pinch nan Panthers, has ne'er played connected nan roadworthy against nan Steelers.

“So I’m excited to spot what their full situation is about,’’ Burns said. Let linebacker Bobby Okereke, who pinch nan Colts played successful Pittsburgh, hint him in: “Their fans bring it each game. That achromatic and yellow, you really consciousness it connected crippled day.’’ 

Pounded connected ground: The Giants past week were pulverized by Saquon Barkley (176 rushing yards) arsenic nan Eagles amassed 269 yards connected nan ground.

That dropped nan Giants to 25th successful nan convention successful tally defense, allowing 138.1 yards per game.

Now travel nan run-oriented Steelers, No. 9 successful nan NFL pinch 134 rushing yards per game.

Some of that accumulation is inflated by nan scrambling of backmost Justin Fields, who is nary longer nan starter.

Running backmost Najee Harris has 208 of his 478 yards successful nan past 2 weeks, including 80 rushing yards complete expected successful that span, according to Next Gen Stats.

Translation: Tackle nan feline aliases consequence getting tally over.

“It starts pinch mentality,’’ protect coordinator Shane Bowen said. “We’ve sewage to person a much attacking mentality.’’ 

Night moves: Avert your eyes if you want to judge nan Giants person overmuch of a chance here, if humanities grounds is immoderate indication.

How astir this: The Steelers person not mislaid a location crippled connected “Monday Night Football’’ successful 33 years — since nan Giants hit them during nan 1991 season.

Since then, they are 14-0 astatine location connected Monday nights.

Their all-time winning percent of .680 connected Monday nighttime is nan second-best successful nan NFL, down nan Seahawks. Head coach Mike Tomlin is 20-3 connected MNF.

The Giants are 26-47-1 connected Monday nights, including 16-32-1 connected nan roadworthy and they person mislaid 9 of their past 10 games played connected Mondays. Daniel Jones is 1-15 successful his profession successful prime-time games. 

Paul’s pick

Really bad discourtesy facing a really bully defense. Is location immoderate logic to expect nan Giants will ray up nan scoreboard?

Inserting Russell Wilson astatine backmost looked awesome past week for Pittsburgh and we shall spot if it was nan correct move, arsenic this protect beforehand could springiness him problems.

It is pointless to prime a squad that has truthful galore issues producing points. 

Steelers 24, Giants 6