The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a hard-fought 26-18 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football at Acrisure Stadium. A blend of defense, special teams magic, and timely offensive plays made the difference in a game that stayed close until the final moments.
The showdown started slowly, with both teams leaning heavily on their kickers. Chris Boswell and Greg Joseph each converted three field goals, keeping the score tied at 9-9 going into halftime.
Austin III Sparks Steelers with Electrifying Plays
The momentum shifted dramatically with 4:38 left in the third quarter when Calvin Austin III took a punt return 73 yards for a touchdown. He wasn’t done yet—on the next drive, Austin caught a 29-yard pass from Russell Wilson to extend Pittsburgh’s lead.
According to the NFL, Austin became only the second player in three seasons to score both a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown in the same game. The other player who achieved this was Kalif Raymond, who had accomplished it the previous Sunday with the Detroit Lions.
After the game, Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith praised Austin’s determination. “I went up to him after he scored the touchdown and said it was a matter of time, and I knew he was going to get it soon,” Highsmith shared. “He works his butt off, he’s humble, and he’s a great dude. Seeing him get those two touchdowns today was awesome.”
Giants Struggle to Mount a Comeback
The Giants tried to respond quickly with a brilliant 45-yard touchdown run from rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. However, their two-point conversion attempt failed due to confusion, frustrating quarterback Daniel Jones as Malik Nabers was tackled before he could make a play.
Pittsburgh gave the Giants another opportunity when Wilson fumbled on his 34-yard line, but TJ Watt forced a fumble from Jones with a strip sack, turning the ball back over to the Steelers. The Giants’ defense managed one last stand, forcing a punt to give Jones a final chance at redemption, only for his pass to be intercepted by Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr., sealing Pittsburgh’s win.
Steelers Extend Winning Streak Behind Wilson
Russell Wilson continued his strong play as the new starting quarterback, completing 20 of 28 passes for 278 yards, including the touchdown to Austin. Najee Harris added 114 rushing yards on 19 carries, contributing to the Steelers’ balanced offense.
Pittsburgh’s 6-2 record places them atop the AFC North as they head into their bye week on a three-game win streak. Despite the success, TJ Watt emphasized the need for continued focus. “We (don’t) just worry about the overall outcome. There are things we can correct and improve every week,” Watt explained. “We’re going on the bye and can’t just go on vacation. We need to find a way to sharpen our edge.”
Giants Face a Tough Road Ahead
The Giants’ record drops to 2-6 after this defeat. They will look to rebound as they prepare to face the Washington Commanders in Week 9, hoping to turn their season around before it’s too late.
The Steelers will use their bye week to refine their performance, aiming to build on their momentum as they pursue playoff aspirations.
