New York Giants 2016 Schedule: 5 Games The Defense Needs To Win
By Neal Lynch
Week 13: Sunday, December 4th, 4:25 PM at Pittsburgh Steelers (FOX)
In 3 games, Eli is 1-2 against Pittsburgh, going 45 of 79 for 506 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
November 4th, 2012 – Week 9 vs. PIT, L 20-24
10 completions on 24 attempts for 125 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception (41.1 rating)
October 26th 2008 – Week 7 @ PIT, W 21-14
19 completions on 32 attempts for 199 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interception (87.9 rating)
December 18, 2004 – Week 14 vs. PIT, L 30-33
16 completions on 23 attempts for 182 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception (103.9 rating)
The Steelers offense is one of the most explosive in the league. Their defense is vulnerable. The 2012 game really dragged down Eli’s number. Not sure you can fault him that much, it was the Sunday after Hurricane Sandy, so you’d have to assume most of the players’ were displaced or out of sync.
The 2008 game saw the Giants kick four field goals – three of which were from 26 yards or less – en route to victory. It was the Giants defense that came up huge with four interceptions to give Eli great field position.
Flashes of the Steelers-Seahawks shootout from last season come to mind when picturing how this game will turn out, but if that’s the case, the Giants should end up victorious courtesy of New York’s revitalized pass rush.
Next: Top 10 Giants Defenses Since 1986
As a Giants fanatic, it’s difficult not to get excited and succumb to the free agent frenzy and draft hype, but if Big Blue can go 3-2 against these five teams, that’s a win for the team’s morale and should provide enough momentum to face the NFC’s top-tier teams in the postseason.