I don't know about you, but I thought the Steelers' performance against a mediocre football team in the New York Giants could be labeled 'gritty'. Despite New York's record coming into the game, I knew the game would be close and hard-fought, and it was.
Honestly, I was hoping for an easier game than what we witnessed, but such is life in the NFL. You really can't judge how a team will play based solely on their record. If that was the case, this game should have been a cakewalk; however, it was anything but.
With that in mind, let's see what we learned on the offensive side of the ball.
Steelers' offense squandered opportunities but did enough to win
When I used the term 'gritty' to describe the Steelers' win over the Giants, I think that label is befitting of what we witnessed under the lights in primetime. Despite settling for field goals on our first three drives, the offense had a veritable explosion in the second half.
If you look at the stat line like I always do, the offense was able to move the ball in the first half but was not able to 'cash in' for various reasons. As a result of the inability to find the end zone, we found ourselves tied at halftime primarily because of missed opportunities.
Russell Wilson guided the offense to three fairly long first-half drives, fifty-seven yards, sixty-three yards, and sixty-one yards, specifically, but, again, we were not able to find the endzone. Had we scored touchdowns on those drives instead of field goals, I dare say the game would have probably been over at halftime.
Despite the offense scoring only ten points in the second half, which, frankly, was an explosion based on how we looked in the first half, the cause was aided by a timely punt return by Calvin Austin III. Believe me, Austin's punt return was not only timely but also changed the complexion of the game.
Let's see what we learned on the defensive side of the ball.
Pittsburgh's defense continues to deliver big plays at most opportune time
Despite giving up nearly four hundred yards of total offense, one-hundred and fifty-seven of which came via the running game, the defense made plays when we needed them to be made. If this sounds familiar, it should. This is how our defense has played for nearly three seasons.
T.J. Watt, our 'all-world' edge rusher, engineered a strip-sack fumble in the fourth quarter when the Giants were driving for what may have been the tying touchdown. Again, had the offense capitalized in the first half on three long drives, Watt's strip-sack fumble may not have been as significant as it was.
Beanie Bishop Jr. put the icing on the cake, as it were, with an INT late in the fourth quarter to close out what was truly a 'nail-bitter' of a game. Good defenses find a way to make plays when plays need to be made. I would argue that is exactly what the Steelers defense did against the Giants.
Let's see what else we learned.
Steelers are in a prime spot to secure the AFC North title
As we sit here today after a glorious win against the Giants in primetime, the Steelers are in first place in the AFC North Division. If anyone predicted we would have six wins after week eight and be in first place, albeit by one game, please raise your hand.
Not only did I not think we would have six wins after week eight games, but I didn't think we would have six wins until December. I was wrong and I am glad I was wrong. I will say that I think Mike Tomlin has done probably his best coaching job thus far this season.
Tomlin made the decision to go to Wilson over Justin Fields despite having a winning record with Fields as 'QB1'. That decision could have backfired, but it has not, at least so far. I'm sure at some point before the season is over, we will discuss a misstep by Tomlin that cost us a game.
In the here and now, let's enjoy the victory over the Giants, the first-place standing, the resurgence of Russell Wilson, the dominant Steelers defense, and the seeming brilliance of Tomlin and the coaching staff.