After a frustrating loss to Saquon Barkley and the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles last week at home, the NY Giants look ahead to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Big Blue is 2-5 through the first seven weeks of their centennial season, and now they are looking to get back in the win column after back-to-back losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Steelers have been playing very well this year as they sit tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens at 5-2 this season. Pittsburgh most recently dominated the Jets 37-15 on Sunday Night Football at home and will look to continue their success against the Giants. The Giants will need certain players who need to perform better to step up against the Steelers to get the win on the road in primetime. Here are four Giants who need to thrive in Week 8:
4: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tyrone Tracy Jr has been one of the most impressive rookies for the Giants this season as he performed well in Weeks 5 and 6 while Devin Singletary was sidelined with a groin injury. The fifth-rounder rushed for 129 yards on 18 carries in the Giants win over the Seahawks and had 50 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts against the Bengals, but could not follow up that performance last week against the Eagles, rushing for 23 yards on six carries.
Tracy Jr will be challenged this week against the Steelers, who rank third in rush defense ahead of Week 8. Pittsburgh allows 81.1 rushing yards on average and has only allowed three rushing touchdowns this season. The Steelers' rush defense consists of TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, and Patrick Queen, who have been a problem for opposing running backs all season. If the Giants want to win, they'll have to find a way to generate offense and move the chains, and it will start in the backfield with Tracy Jr.
3: WR Malik Nabers
One player who needs to get back on track and has an opportunity to thrive in Week 8 is Malik Nabers. The first-rounder had been playing well before suffering a concussion in the Giants' Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, where the rookie would miss the next two games and return this past week against the Eagles. Nabers had eight catches on 12 targets for 78 yards, two touchdowns against the Browns, and 12 receptions on 15 for 115 yards against Dallas.
In Week 7, Nabers was limited to four receptions on eight targets for 41 yards. Nabers could face backlash for his comments about how he was open and telling the media to "watch the target tape." Pittsburgh's pass defense ranks 22nd this season, allowing 217.3 passing yards on average, and has given up eight passing touchdowns this year. This could be the perfect opportunity for Nabers to get back on track and give the Giants a much-needed spark on offense.
Malik Nabers is going to get some flack for his comments following yesterday's game, saying to "watch the target tape" and that he "was open."
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) October 21, 2024
But he isn't wrong. There are a few examples on that target tape.
Blame the OL/QB/HC, whoever you want. He was getting open. pic.twitter.com/UiD2YHNyQV
2: CB Deonte Danks
One player who faced some backlash from last week's loss to the Eagles was Deonte Banks, who showed a lack of effort and hustle on a Jalen Hurts third-down 16-yard scramble. The second-year defensive back ran right by the veteran quarterback and could've easily made the tackle to bring him down and potentially force a three-and-out on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson previously called out Banks for not hustling after giving up a 55-yard touchdown catch to Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in Week 4. After Banks failed to make a tackle on Hurts this past week in front of his position coach, you could see Henderson's outburst on the sideline in real-time.
Embarrassing effort by Deonte Banks trying to tackle Jalen Hurts. pic.twitter.com/EZuAFJnnAp
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) October 20, 2024
While the Steelers don't have the most impressive wide receiver room this year, they continue to find ways to drive down the field and win crucial games. The Giants' secondary has not been good this year, and Banks' lack of hustle and effort does not help the team even when they are down big in games like last week. If the Giants want to get back in the win column this week, they'll need the second-year cornerback to step up and thrive against the Steelers.
1: QB Daniel Jones
I would be remiss not to mention Giants' quarterback Daniel Jones, who has not been good the last two weeks. Jones is coming off a loss to the Eagles, where he threw for 99 yards and zero touchdowns. The veteran signal-caller could not generate anything on offense and has had a very up-and-down year. He's played several games where he looks like he could turn the corner and help this team win and then others where he goes out there and lacks confidence.
This is a must-win game for the Giants, as they don't want to fall even further under .500. That means it will be important that Jones improves as a decision-maker with a banged-up offensive line on the left side, Andrew Thomas out for the season, and against a talented Steelers defensive front.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll has made it clear that Jones will remain the starter despite the 27-year-old leaving last week's game for backup Drew Lock. This means we'll need to start seeing Danny Dimes perform well. If Jones can start clicking on offense with Nabers, Tracy Jr., Wan'Dale Robinson, and others, the Giants will have a real shot at making Monday Night's game with the Steelers competitive.