Get the latest odds and expert picks for the Monday Night Football showdown between the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. Don't miss out!
The Pittsburgh Steelers are riding high after last week’s win over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. Pittsburgh opened as a short favorite in that game per the football betting odds, but the Steelers closed as an underdog as many doubted the offense would be better with Russell Wilson under center. Wilson led the Steelers to their best offensive outing of the season with 37 points in a blowout win, and that has led to Pittsburgh being favored by close to a touchdown on Monday Night Football.
Week 8 New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants +6
Pittsburgh Steelers -6
Total 36
Originally, Pittsburgh was a 4.5-point favorite, but the Steelers have garnered a lot of buzz over the last week. However, we have also seen the total drop from 37.5 to 36 as the Giants are going to struggle to move the ball in this game.
New York Giants Overview
We saw a putrid offensive performance from the New York Giants last week. The Giants finished with just 119 total yards in a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. They now rank 30th in scoring offense (14.1 PPG), and they rank in the bottom five in total offense (290.7 YPG), yards per play, and red zone offense.
Daniel Jones continues to struggle under center. After a solid performance in an upset win over Seattle in Week 5, Jones has looked bad the last two weeks by completing just 36 of 62 passes for 304 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Rookie Malik Nabers has helped in the passing game, but it is telling that a big play threat such as Nabers is averaging just 10.9 YPR.
The ground game has fallen apart too. Devin Singletary is averaging a scant 3.9 YPC, and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. has just 23 carries for 73 yards in the last two weeks. These running backs have also lost three fumbles on just 126 total carries, and that is the worst rate in the league.
This Giants’ defense has been great at getting to the quarterback and excellent on third downs. They have the most sacks in the league, and they rank third in third-down defense, but they are allowing a whopping 5.4 YPC. That ranks dead last in the NFL. Additionally, Kayvon Thibodeaux is on injured reserve, and both Dexter Lawrence II and Brian Burns are injured ahead of this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers Overview
Russell Wilson’s overall stats look better than the way he played on Sunday night. Wilson completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards with two touchdowns, but two long completions to George Pickens were essentially 50-50 balls. This offense did provide more of an aerial threat with Wilson under center rather than Justin Fields, and that freed up defenders in the box.
Najee Harris could have his best performance of the season against the Giants on Monday night. Harris has run for 478 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.1 YPC, but a lot of those are tough yards behind an offensive line that has struggled. He has had back-to-back 100-yard games.
There are only two real options in the passing game. George Pickens has caught 31 passes for 474 yards and a touchdown, while tight end Pat Freiermuth has 24 catches for 245 yards and two scores. Pickens seemed unhappy prior to last week, but if Wilson can connect with him often, this offense could become explosive for the first time in years.
Pittsburgh has a defensive identity, and the Steelers have been one of the best defenses in the league. They rank second in scoring defense (14.4 PPG) and second in rush defense (3.6 YPC). T.J. Watt is a huge favorite to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year once again, but there are a ton of stars on this side of the ball.
Monday Night Football Prediction
This is going to be a low-scoring game, but Pittsburgh will produce enough offense to enjoy a comfortable win. Watch the injury report though as if Dexter Lawrence is ruled out, the Giants will lose arguably the most talented defender in the NFL.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 23, New York 13
