Category: 2024 season Week 8 – Steelers vs Giants

Steelers’ T.J. Watt named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

T.J. Watt conquered the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 8. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his elite play.

T.J. Watt is inevitable.  Opposing quarterbacks can hope and pray to contain him, but there is no stopping the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.  QB Daniel Jones found this out the hard way when he was on the receiving end of two-sacks and a forced fumble from Watt in Week 8.

For his efforts in the Steelers’ victory over the Giants—compiling seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery—Watt has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Pittsburgh fans have enjoyed a plethora of elite pass-rushers in the Steel City, but T.J. personifies a hard-working attitude both on and off the field, arguably more than any Steelers player before him. 

In earning what is now his eighth-AFC Defensive Player of the Week award, Watt’s accomplishments continue to further cement his place among the all-time great defenders to ever play in the NFL.

While Watt is playing at an elite level, his pursuit of another D.P.O.Y award in 2024 is not his ultimate goal, but is instead to bring his team their seventh Super Bowl championship.

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Pittsburgh ranks fourth-best in point differential through 8 weeks

The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers are looking like one of the best teams in the NFL, boasting the fourth-best point differential through 8 weeks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ red-hot start continues to pick up steam. Not only does the AFC North currently run through the Steel City, but the team is also competing with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC conference. 

While the 6-2 Steelers are tied with the 6-2 Bills, and just one and a half games behind Kansas City, Pittsburgh actually holds the second-best point differential in the AFC and the fourth-best among all 32 NFL teams. 

So far in 2024, through eight weeks of football, the Steelers have scored 187 points while allowing only 119 points against them. This point differential of 68 trails only the NFC’s Washington Commanders with 69, the AFC’s Buffalo Bills with 84, and the NFC’s Detroit Lions with a staggering 100-point differential. 

Pittsburgh’s differential shows the NFL world that their balanced strength on both sides of the ball is not to be underestimated. With the trade deadline approaching, the Steelers would be wise to strengthen their roster further and prepare for a potentially deep playoff run. 

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Did Pittsburgh find their WR2 in Week 8’s victory over the NY Giants?

Calvin Austin stepped up in a major way for the Steelers in their Week 8 victory—potentially solidifying his position as the team’s WR2.

In the past decade, most, if not all, of the Steelers’ top receivers started out as dynamic punt returners. Steelers receivers such as Antonio Brown, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Diontae Johnson all were incredibly successful as punt returners, eventually blossoming into phenomenal receivers for Pittsburgh. One receiver from Week 8 seemingly had his career breakout game and turning point, as WR Calvin Austin electrified both the New York Giants’ secondary and special teams unit. 

In the third quarter of his team’s contest, with the score tied 9-9, Austin knew he needed to make a splash play. He proceeded to step up when the team needed him most, returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. He further solidified his position as WR2 when he caught a 29-yard TD reception from QB Russell Wilson, his second touchdown of the night. 

Much speculation and trade rumors have been made over the Steelers necessity of an elite-caliber receiver opposite WR1 George Pickens, but scoring twice on the night and accumulating 54 receiving yards on just three receptions should prove why Austin is the WR2 Pittsburgh has been looking for. 

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Mike Tomlin offers poor excuse for illegal challenge flag in Week 8

Mike Tomlin has made some questionable game-time coaching decisions throughout his tenure, but perhaps the worst came in Week 8’s victory.

It seems like challenge flags bring Head Coach Mike Tomlin nothing but trouble. With the score tied 6-6 in the second quarter, QB Russell Wilson seemingly hit WR George Pickens on a solid touchdown pass to potentially put the Steelers up 13-6. However, as all scoring plays are automatically reviewed, it was determined by replay assist that Pickens did not get both feet in bounds. Tomlin, unaware of the referees stating aloud that further review took the play away, threw a challenge flag he wishes he could have taken back. He was not permitted to challenge a play that had already been reviewed, and a timeout was deducted from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tomlin’s excuse for the botched challenge was less than acceptable, as he claimed ignorance regarding whether or not the play was reviewed by officials. 

All 32 NFL coaches understand that scoring plays are automatically reviewed, and thankfully, the Steelers were able to pull off the win in Week 8, no thanks to the poor decision to challenge the automatically reviewed play.

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Defense and special teams carries Steelers to huge win over the Giants

The Steelers head into the bye week sitting at 6-2.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers offense topping 400 total yards for the second-straight game, the Steelers defense and special teams stole the show in the team’s 26-18 win over the New York Giants.

Of the team’s 26 points, 20 of those came directly from special teams. Kicker Chris Boswell hit all four of his field goal tries, and both of his extra points. Meanwhile, wide receiver Calvin Austin III scored on a 73-yard punt return.

Defensively, the group really turned up the heat in the second half. The Steelers sacked Giants quarterback Daniel Jones four times, all in the second half. Outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith each had two sacks and one of Watt’s sacks also turned into a Jones fumble. Pittsburgh cornerback Beanie Bishop ended the game with an interception of Jones to give him three in two weeks.

As for the offense, this unit played well despite struggling to find the end zone. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 278 yards and one touchdown pass but also coughed up a fumble late that put the game in jeopardy for a time. Running back Najee Harris had his third straight 100-yard game and continues to make a case for a big contract at the end of the season.

Now the Steelers head into the bye week with a 6-2 record and the lead in the AFC North.

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Does Mike Tomlin need to bench RT Broderick Jones again?

Broderick Jones’ penalty woes continued in Week 8, taking an opening-drive TD off the board. Does HC Mike Tomlin need to intervene again?

The more things change, the more they stay the same. While the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive unit appears much more dynamic under Russell Wilson’s leadership, issues on the offensive line continue to hold the offense back.

Specifically, several backup offensive linemen are stepping up in a big way for the Pittsburgh Steelers, yet 2023 first-round draft pick RT Broderick Jones is struggling, arguably making him the weakest link on offense. In 2024, Jones has had issues in all aspects of blocking, with penalties being his greatest weakness. 

On a key play during the Steelers’ Week 8 opening drive, Wilson rolled out to his right and connected with WR George Pickens for a touchdown, only to have it nullified by a face mask penalty from Jones. The penalty yardage proved too much to overcome, forcing the offense to settle for a field goal. 

Jones was benched earlier in the year by HC Mike Tomlin for similar issues, and the team may need to consider it again to prevent the offense’s momentum from stalling.

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Steelers vs Giants: Inactives for both teams in Monday Night Football’s Week 8 finale

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is among x inactives for the Monday Night Football matchup vs. the New York Giants.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) welcome the New York Giants (2-5) to Acrisure Stadium tonight for their first-half 2024 season finale.

For the Steelers, Justin Fields (hamstring) is inactive but will step in should both Russell Wilson and Kyle Allen go down.

Not on the inactive list is wide receiver Roman Wilson, who the Steelers placed on injured reserve earlier today.

Here are the full lists of inactive players for both Pittsburgh and New York:

Steelers

QB Justin Fields (emergency QB)

CB C.J. Henderson

OLB Nick Herbig

C Zach Frazier

RB Cordarrelle Patterson

Giants

CB Adoree Jackson

LB Ty Summer

P Jamie Gillan

CB Cor’Dale Flott

QB Tommy DeVito (emergency QB)

G Jake Kubas

NT Jordan Riley

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Steelers vs Giants injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 8

All the latest updates, including QB Justin Fields, on the Pittsburgh Steelers’s injury report ahead of Monday Night Football vs. Giants.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) host the New York Giants (2-5) tonight under the lights of Monday Night Football for their final matchup before the bye week.

While the Steelers are 4-1 against the Giants since 2004, New York leads the head-to-head series 44-31-3 in regular season contests.

In their last go-round, also on Monday Night Football, the Steelers defeated the Giants 26-16 at MetLife Stadium in 2020.

Here’s a look at the latest full injury and practice participation report, which now includes Russell Wilson’s backup, Justin Fields, who was not listed on Pittsburgh’s initial Saturday injury report.

Steelers injury report

Player Injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
QB Justin Fields hamstring – – – Questionable
WR Roman Wilson hamstring DNP DNP DNP OUT
S Damontae Kazee ankle FP FP FP –
DB DeShon Elliott back DNP LP FP –
CB Donte Jackson shoulder FP FP FP –
** LB Tyler Matakevich hamstring LP LP LP OUT
LB Nick Herbig hamstring DNP DNP DNP OUT
C Zach Frazier ankle DNP DNP DNP OUT
G Isaac Seumalo NIR – DNP FP –
** OT Dylan Cook foot FP FP FP OUT
RB Cordarrelle Patterson ankle LP LP LP OUT
DT Keeanu Benton calf LP FP FP –
DT Cameron Heyward NIR DNP DNP FP –

** in the designated 21-day window to return from injured reserve

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Giants injury report

Player Injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
CB Cor’Dale Flott groin DNP DNP LP Doubtful
P Jamie Gillan hamstring DNP DNP DNP OUT
CB Tre Hawkins III ankle DNP DNP LP Questionable
CB Adoree’ Jackson neck DNP DNP DNP OUT
DL Dexter Lawrence hip DNP DNP LP –
LB Ty Summer ankle DNP DNP DNP OUT
OLB Brian Burns groin/Achilles LP LP LP –
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton Achilles LP LP FP –
WR Jalin Hyatt ribs FP FP FP –
S Dane Belton calf – – LP –
OL Jake Kubas abdomen – – LP –

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Justin Fields injury update

Steelers backup quarterback Justin Fields (hamstring) is questionable heading into Steelers-Giants warmups. Once inactive are reported 1.5 hours pregame, we’ll know whether Fields will suit up as QB2 or ride the pine.

It’s unclear exactly when Fields’ injury occurred.

Roman Wilson injury update

Roman Wilson, who had already been ruled out for the Steelers-Giants matchup, was placed on injured reserve today. Wilson will miss at least the next four weeks. At the earliest, he would be eligible to return for the Week 12 showdown versus Jameis Winston’s Cleveland Browns.

Hampered by an ankle injury for most of training camp, Wilson has appeared in just one game this season and injured his hamstring in practice leading up to the New York Jets matchup. The rookie’s lone outing was Week 6 vs. the Raiders, in which he was not targeted once on five snaps.

Cordarrelle Patterson injury update

Cordarelle Patterson (ankle), listed as doubtful on the Steelers’ initial Saturday injury report, has been downgraded to out, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Patterson has been sidelined since Week 4.

Nick Herbig injury update

The Steelers’ second-year outside linebacker sustained a hamstring injury in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 5 and hasn’t played since.

Herbig is out for tonight’s Monday Night Football matchup. Pittsburgh’s Week 9 bye will provide banged-up players an opportunity to get right before their brutal second leg of the 2024 season.

Donte Jackson injury update

Donte Jackson had three full practices this week, and should all go well during warmups, it is a go tonight. He exited early from the Jets game with a shoulder injury. As a whole, the Steelers’ secondary should be at full strength versus the Giants.

Jackson, who leads the team in interceptions with three, was a stellar signing by the Steelers this offseason

DesShon Elliott injury update

It’s a mystery when DeShon Elliott hurt his back, as Tomlin did not mention Elliott after a Jets victory in which he played 60 snaps or during his Giants preview press conference.

The Steelers inked the former Raven, Lion, Dolphin during free agency and he’s been a defensive asset ever since, logging an interception, three defended passes, forced fumble, fumble recovery and 51 tackles in seven starts.

The good news is Elliott improved from not practicing on Thursday to being limited on Friday and practicing in full capacity today. It appears he’ll be good to go for the Monday Night Football contest.

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Steelers QB avoided major hamstring injury

Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Justin Fields avoided a major hamstring injury and looks to be a game-time decision on MNF.

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers can finally breathe a collective sigh of relief.  Justin Fields’ hamstring injury caught many by surprise, as not only was it a last minute addition to Week 8’s injury report, but the precarious proximity to the trade deadline caused speculation to run rampant.

However, in regards to both Fields’ short-term and long-term health, it appears the Steelers dodged a major bullet.  While it was reported yesterday that Fields would need to undergo an MRI to understand the true extent of the injury, Insider Ian Rapoport confirmed on Monday that Fields participation in Week 8 would be a game time decision.

If Fields’ injury isn’t severe and he could potentially play tonight, is his hamstring situation similar to Davante Adams’ ‘injury’—an issue that miraculously resolved after being traded to the New York Jets?

Speculation aside, it is comforting that the Steelers avoided a disastrous injury to one of their great young players.  The situation is worth keeping an eye on as we inch closer to the start of the Steelers’ Week 8  Monday Night Football matchup at 8:15 PM EST.

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