Calvin Austin III’s incredible speed and agility stole the spotlight as he scored twice in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-18 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night. His standout performances, including a thrilling punt return touchdown and an over-the-shoulder catch, helped the Steelers (6-2) secure a much-needed win and move into first place in the AFC North.
Listed at just 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, Austin didn’t let his size hold him back. In the third quarter, he took a punt return from the Steelers’ 27-yard line, slicing through the Giants’ defense and sprinting down the sideline for a breathtaking 73-yard touchdown. This gave Pittsburgh a permanent lead, electrifying fans at Acrisure Stadium. Later, in the fourth quarter, Austin pulled in a 29-yard lob from quarterback Russell Wilson, adding to Pittsburgh’s momentum.
Wilson, playing in his second start for the Steelers, showed impressive form, completing 20 of 28 passes for 278 yards. His sharp connection with Austin and a balanced mix of plays allowed Pittsburgh to control the game despite a few missed scoring chances. Wilson’s late-game fumble momentarily allowed the Giants to close the gap, but Steelers’ defense stayed strong.
Outside linebacker T.J. Watt came through when it counted, strip-sacking Giants quarterback Daniel Jones with just over four minutes left to play. The Giants pushed forward in the final minute, trying to break Pittsburgh’s 22-game home win streak on Monday nights. However, rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop intercepted a pass by Jones, ending New York’s chances and adding to their ongoing struggles.
Steelers running back Najee Harris played a critical role, rushing for 114 yards and hitting the 100-yard mark for a third consecutive game. The offense relied on kicker Chris Boswell, who converted four field goals, covering missed touchdown opportunities.
On the Giants’ side, rookie running back Tyrone Tracy posted a season-high 145 rushing yards, including an explosive 45-yard run in the fourth quarter that narrowed the score to eight points. But their efforts to cut the lead further fell short during a failed 2-point conversion attempt, as a pass to rookie receiver Malik Nabers was stopped short by Pittsburgh’s defense.
Daniel Jones, who was benched in the Giants’ previous game, returned as starter and delivered a decent performance, completing 24 of 38 passes for 264 yards. But Jones struggled under pressure, throwing a costly interception late in the game. Giants receiver Darius Slayton finished with 108 receiving yards, and rookie Malik Nabers added seven catches for 71 yards. Kicker Greg Joseph contributed four field goals, but New York was plagued by 11 penalties totaling 65 yards, limiting their progress.
The Steelers’ offense had a few near-miss touchdowns. Wilson connected with George Pickens for two promising end-zone passes, only to have them called back due to penalties and video reviews. On one attempt, Pickens’ right foot landed twice within the field, but his left foot couldn’t touch down before he was pushed out by Giants cornerback Deonte Banks.
The Giants also missed out on a potential touchdown due to an illegal shift penalty, undoing a pass from Jones to tight end Chris Manhertz.
Injuries:
Steelers’ quarterback Justin Fields was listed as the emergency backup after a hamstring tweak in practice, leaving Wilson and Kyle Allen to handle game responsibilities.
