It was a familiar formula from days past, play stout defense and wait for the offense to make the plays, it worked then, and it worked last night. The Steelers played tough punishing defense, Ben Roethlisberger made timely plays in his triumphant return and Benny Snell provided the power running game.
Ben Roethlisberger looked a little out of synch in his first few series but then turned it up at the end of the second half, leading an eight play 78-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass to James Washington. Roethlisberger was playing in his first game in 365 days and finished 21 for 32 with 229 yards passing. He hit eight different receivers and threw three touchdowns. JuJu Smith-Schuster had six catches with 69 yards and two touchdown passes. Diontae Johnson had six catches for 57 yards.
Benny Snell filled in for the injured James Conner, who went out in the second quarter. Snell started slowly as well but also turned it up finishing with 113 yards on the ground. He broke the Giants back with a 30-yard fourth quarter run. Setting up the final touchdown to seal the victory.
While the offense played well, the defense played outstanding and absolutely decimated the Giants running game. The Steelers front seven set the tone, holding the Giants to a field goal after a special teams fumble by Diontae Johnson. Saquon Barkley had no room to run and finished with SIX yards on 15 carries. The Giants could only muster 29 yards on 20 carries overall and were never able to get going. Once again Stephon Tuitt proved why he is so valuable. He was a difference maker and had a sack in his return after missing ten weeks last year. Tyson Alualu and Isiah Buggs acquitted themselves nicely in replacing the departed Javon Hargrave. “Steel Head” Heyward had a big interception that ended a 19 play 87 yard drive that saw the Giants come away with no points.
T.J. Watt created a huge turnover that helped setup the Steelers first touchdown. It took pressure off the offense and kept the Giants on their heels. Bud Dupree hammered Daniel Jones all night, causing the Cam Interception. When he was double teamed, the Steelers sent Mike Hilton off the corner. Dupree disrupted the Giants all game. Vince Williams was a run stuffer in the middle and Devin Bush led the team in tackles. The secondary played well for the most part and except for one lapse kept the Giants in check.
The Special teams like EVERY season is a work in progress. Diontae Johnson had a crucial fumble to start the game, Little Bos Chris Boswell missed a PAT the coverages were okay. Dustin Colquitt who recently joined the team, did a nice job booting four punts for over 180 yards. Ray-Ray McCloud had a nice return for 33 yards.
The Steelers had a very good game plan and were ready for everything the Giants threw at them!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Ben Roethlisberger, when you have a Hall Of Fame Quarterback you have a chance to win every week. It was great to see Ben out there. Also Considered: Everyone of the players who contributed to the front seven. They were unstoppable.
Where I watched the game: At the house with the family and my best friend who is a Giants fan. KGB made Primanti Brothers sandwiches which were outstanding. The beer of choice was Iron City to kick it off but we switched over to Miller High Life….not a typo.
My Stat of the week: It has to be; SIX yards by all world running back Saquon Barkley. He had no room to run and was snuffed out all day.
My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers roll into the most unusual opening game in the history of Heinz Field. Covid-19 will leave Heinz Field barren. The Broncos are coming to down after a tough loss. Look for the same formula as this week, with the Steelers pressing Drew Lock into a mistake.
This week’s Jersey: Ben Roethlisberger, #7 Home, It was a tribute to a player the Steelers desperately missed.