EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 14: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants hikes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The New York Giants (2-5) travel to Pennsylvania to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Acrisure Stadium on Monday Night Football in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season.
Here are five quick things to know before kickoff.
The series
Sep 14, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) runs the ball past New York Giants cornerback Corey Ballentine (25) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
This week’s game will be the 79th regular season meeting between the Giants and Steelers going back to 1933. It is the third time they will face one another on Monday Night Football (1991, 2020).
The Steelers won the most recent matchup, 26-16, at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020, and have won the last three in the series (2012, 2016, and 2020).
The Giants lead the overall series, 44-31-3.
The Giants’ most recent victory in Pittsburgh was a 21-14 win back on October 26, 2008.
Giants have gotten off to a slow start — again
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 20: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants motions at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Giants have lost five of their first seven games this season and, with a loss this week, will mark the seventh time over the last eight years they have opened a season with two or fewer wins after eight weeks.
Their two wins thus far are against Cleveland and Seattle, both on the road. Their five losses have come against Minnesota, Dallas, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia at home and Washington on the road.
The Giants are ranked 28th in total offense and 12th in total defense.
Steelers are tied for first place in the AFC North
Dec 29, 2019; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks down the sidelines during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach Mike Tomlin has his team humming this year, going 3-0 out of the gate with wins over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers. After back-to-back three-point losses to Indianapolis and Dallas, the Steelers bounced back with convincing wins over the Las Vegas and New York Jets.
After this week’s game, Pittsburgh will head into their bye week.
They are currently tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the lead atop the AFC North. The Steelers have yet to play a game within their division. All six of their division games will played in the final nine weeks of the season.
The Steelers rank 19th in total offense and 8th in total defense.
Pittsburgh players of note
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs the ball in the first half against the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
After former Chicago Bears first-round pick Justin Fields went 4-2 under center the first six weeks, Tomlin turned to 36-year-old Russell Wilson last week at quarterback. Wilson responded by throwing for 264 yards and two scores versus no interceptions.
The Steelers’ leading rusher this season is former first-round pick Najee Harris, who has 613 total yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
Their leading receivers this season are two more high draft picks: wide receiver George Pickens (31 receptions, 474 yards, one touchdown) and tight end Pat Freiermuth (24 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns).
All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt leads the Steelers with 4.5 sacks.
The Giants’ pass rush is back
Oct 20, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Giants lead the NFL in sacks after seven weeks with 31. Nine of those have come from defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who leads the league and is the only interior defensive lineman to record more than four sacks this season.
Lawrence had two sacks last week against Philadelphia — his third game this season with two or more sacks. He is aiming for his third in a row on the road with two or more sacks and his fourth in a row overall with a sack.
Defensive end Brian Burns has four sacks on the year and will be seeking his third consecutive game with a sack.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants vs. Steelers: 5 things to know about Week 8