Giants-Steelers on 'Monday Night Football': What We Learned from Pittsburgh's 26-18 win

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• RE-WATCH: Giants-Steelers on NFL+ Premium
• READ: New York slotted at No. 8 in draft following Monday's loss
• READ: Russell Wilson 'felt more fluid' in second Steelers start
• READ: Calvin Austin III 'catalyst' in win with punt return, receiving TDs
• READ: Giants' Jones takes blame for Watt's strip-sack: 'That's my fault'

1. Russ, Pickens have a special thing brewing. The best thing that could have happened for George Pickens' career (and disposition) was Mike Tomlin deciding to insert Russell Wilson into the starting lineup. After catching five passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in his first game with Wilson last week, Pickens and his new QB1 kept the magic going in a defensive battle Monday night, hooking up four times for 74 yards -- and twice for touchdowns that were wiped out, one by penalty and another by replay review. It's clear Wilson loves to look toward Pickens' way (especially downfield), and he's unlocked the Steelers' most talented weapon, bringing a new threat to an offense that needed one. It also opens up the opportunities for others like Van Jefferson, who chipped in four catches for 62 yards, and balances out an offense that has received a couple of solid outings from Najee Harris (19 carries for 114 yards) in the last two games. This was what Tomlin hoped might come from making the somewhat controversial change from Justin Fields to Wilson, and after two wins, they aren't looking back.
2. Giants struggle, then fumble away opportunity. New York's offense mustered a combined 10 points in its last two games, and through three quarters, the Giants had scored nine points via three field goals. They'd gained 222 yards entering the fourth, but were just 3 for 8 on third down and hadn't threatened to reach the end zone since their second drive of the night. Urgency proved to be the best motivator, as a two-touchdown deficit seemed to wake up this Giants offense, which enjoyed some surprise success on the ground in the fourth. But in the end, the Giants wasted their best chances. New York regained possession after forcing a Wilson fumble, then fumbled it away by leaving right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor on an island against all-world edge rusher T.J. Watt, which unsurprisingly resulted in a strip-sack on a crucial third down. That was only the latest example of the Giants failing to provide their tackles with some pass protection assistance, and ended up being the most costly (and frustrating, considering it potentially could have been avoided with a chip from a running back). That is the story of the Giants for most of this season: They commit plenty of errors from a strategic and execution standpoint (see: their comical failed two-point conversion) and when they earn chances to fight their way back, they sink themselves. Jones' game-sealing interception could be seen coming from miles away. These are your 2024 Giants.
3. Steelers special teams make difference once again. The Steelers have had an excellent special teams unit all season, blocking a handful of opposing field goal attempts to stop scoring opportunities in their tracks. They built on that Monday night, breaking through what had been a field goal festival via a 73-yard Calvin Austin III punt return touchdown. It felt as if that return officially burst the dam that had trapped both offenses, and kicked off three straight scores on as many possessions, with Wilson finding Austin for a touchdown and Chris Boswell tacking on a field goal to keep their lead at a touchdown's difference. The Steelers have a strong defense and an ascending offense, but we should also direct some attention toward their special teams. The third unit provided the spark they desperately needed to push their winning streak to three.
4. Does this loss shift the Giants' approach going forward? Look, by now we've identified and identified the Giants' limitations. This team isn't threatening to make the playoffs. They're limited offensively for a number of reasons that extend beyond their quarterback, and even after scoring 18 points against a stingy Steelers defense, there's little reason to believe they'll figure it out in time to warrant keeping the entire band together. They also have a defense that has some talent, especially up front, and Azeez Ojulari has done a whole lot to boost his stock in the last few weeks. He recorded two sacks Monday night and has quietly been on a heater, especially while playing in place of the injured Kayvon Thibodeaux. There are some contenders (Detroit, for example) who could use edge-rushing help. Will this loss, which dropped the Giants to the cellar of the NFC East at 2-6, motivate general manager Joe Schoen to move a player or two (like Ojulari) in exchange for assets? Considering Giants owner John Mara has already said he does not anticipate making changes at GM or coach, will the Giants accept reality for 2024 and build toward the future?

Next Gen Stats Insight from Giants-Steelers (via NFL Pro): Monday night marked the Steelers' second game with 400-plus total yards in as many weeks, both with Russell Wilson starting. They had just one in six games with Justin Fields as the starting quarterback.

NFL Research: Alex Highsmith generated a career-high 12 pressures and two sacks on 38 pass rushes, with 11 pressures and a sack coming against left tackle Chris Hubbard, who was signed off the 49ers' practice squad just 10 days ago.