In a tightly contested matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Giants 26-18 in Week 8 of the NFL, highlighted by a dynamic performance from Calvin Austin III. Austin electrified the crowd with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter, marking the Steelers’ first return score since 2019. He also caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter, helping Pittsburgh secure its 22nd consecutive home victory on Monday nights.
The Steelers built momentum with Austin’s touchdown, which shifted the game’s trajectory in their favor. Wilson had a solid outing, completing 20 of 28 passes for 278 yards and contributing significantly to the offense, despite a late-game fumble that allowed the Giants a glimmer of hope. However, Pittsburgh’s defense, led by T.J. Watt, quickly quelled that threat by strip-sacking Daniel Jones shortly after.
On the other side, the Giants struggled with penalties and missed opportunities, ultimately contributing to their third consecutive loss. Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy had a standout performance, rushing for a season-high 145 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown run that brought the Giants within eight points. However, their two-point conversion attempt failed, and an interception by rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop sealed New York’s fate.
Both teams faced challenges, with the Giants having a touchdown called back due to a penalty and the Steelers losing two potential touchdown passes in the first half. Despite these setbacks, the Steelers capitalized on their opportunities, with Chris Boswell contributing four field goals to complement their scoring efforts, while the Giants’ defense struggled to contain Wilson’s effective passing game.
