A change at starting quarterback didn’t slow down the Pittsburgh Steelers, who delivered their highest-point total in almost three years last week in Russell Wilson’s team debut.
Now, Pittsburgh welcomes a New York team in prime time for the second straight week when the Giants visit on Monday night.
The Steelers (5-2) started Wilson for the first time this season last Sunday night. The former Super Bowl champion guided Pittsburgh to a 37-15 win over the New York Jets. The Steelers scored the final 31 points of the game as Wilson, who missed the start of the season with a calf injury, threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-29 passing and added a rushing score.
Wilson took over for Justin Fields, who played reasonably well in starting the first six games of the season. Head coach Mike Tomlin was as coy as ever this week as he said he’s “refusing to acknowledge” any changes to Fields’ role.
But pressed on whether Wilson would start against the Giants, Tomlin said, “He’s scheduled to take first-team reps (Wednesday) and we’ll see where the week leads us.”
Najee Harris gained 100-plus rushing yards and a touchdown in back-to-back weeks for the Steelers.
“What I keep telling (Harris) every single game is just keep bringing your stuff, bringing your stuff,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, who knows what it’s like to take on Harris from his previous four seasons with the Ravens. “Nobody wants to tackle you … Nobody wants to deal with that for four quarters, at least, I know that.”
The Giants (2-5) have scored a total of 10 points during their current two-game skid, but no major changes are coming to the offense. The same can be said for the team’s leadership in the long term, too.
Giants co-owner John Mara said this week that he has no plans to dismiss coach Brian Daboll or general manager Joe Schoen this season or in the offseason.
Still, things look dire after the Giants followed a 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals with a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, both coming at home. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for a season-low 99 yards and was sacked by the Eagles seven times before Drew Lock replaced him to finish the game.
Daboll insisted the following day that Jones remains the starter in New York. Jones didn’t like being pulled, but met with Daboll on their usual schedule to go over the game and targeted improvements.
“I think there’s some things you take from it that you’re trying to learn from. But does it change or is it completely different because he pulled me from the game? No it’s not,” Jones said. “We all got to play better, I got to play better and that’s what I’m focusing on.”
Jones said he’s focused on what’s ahead and moving past last week. When asked if Daboll gave him assurances of his role, Jones said the head coach told the team that was the case last week.
“I think after the game, he said to the team that I was the starter going forward. So, I’m going through the week preparing to play and play well. But in terms of his plans … it’s a better question for him,” Jones said.
The Giants fell despite rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers playing for the first time in three weeks due to a concussion. The blossoming star had four catches for 41 yards and has 39 receptions for 427 yards and three touchdowns in just five games this season. Teammate Wan’Dale Robinson ranks fifth in the league in receptions (43) for just 303 yards and two scores.
The Steelers, who rank second in the NFL in scoring defense at 14.4 points per game, will be wary of sixth overall draft pick Nabers in particular.
“He attacks the ball when it’s in the air, he makes those competitive plays,” Tomlin said. “… Those guys who get a chance to hug Roger Goodell (on stage at the NFL draft), they have some real tangible things and intangible things.”
The Giants boast the league’s sack leader in Dexter Lawrence II, who has nine sacks for 65 yards. T.J. Watt has a team-high 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles for the Steelers and could feast on a New York O-line that’s allowed 22 sacks, third-most in the league.
“I’d say he’s unbelievable,” Daboll said. “… You watch his tape and all the turnovers that he has and the style that he plays with. I mean, he’s one of the best players in the league.”
Lawrence did not practice Thursday as he continues to manage a hip injury. Also sitting out for New York were linebacker Ty Summers (ankle), punter Jamie Gillan (left hamstring) and cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson (neck), Cor’Dale Flott (groin) and Tre Hawkins III (ankle). Linebacker Brian Burns (groin, Achilles) was limited along with special teamer Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles).
For the Steelers, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (vet rest), center Zach Frazier (ankle), linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring), defensive back DeShon Elliott (back) and receiver Roman Wilson (hamstring) sat out Thursday. Running back/return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (calf) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (hamstring) were limited.
