Giants Come From Behind to Defeat Steelers 21-14: In a defensive slugfest, the NFL Champion New York Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-14 at Heinz Field earlier today. The Giants trailed 14-9 in the fourth quarter but scored 12 unanswered points in the last period in a dramatic victory between what had been two 5-1 teams. The Giants are now 6-1 and remain in sole possession of the competitive NFC East.
The Giants’ offense was held to 282 total net yards, including 199 net passing yards and 83 net rushing yards, and 14 first downs. But the Giants did not turn the ball over. Meanwhile, the Steelers were limited to 249 total net yards, including 154 net passing yards and 95 net rushing yards, and 12 first downs. The Steelers turned the ball over four times, all four being interceptions by QB Ben Roethlisberger. The Giants did not allow a sack while the Steelers gave up five sacks. The Giants were 7-of-19 on third/fourth down conversions while the Steelers were 1-of-14. The Giants also dominated time of possession 34:24 to 25:36.
The Giants had five offensive possessions in the first half of the game, three of which ended in field goals. After going three-and-out on their first drive, New York punted. The Steelers then drove 60 yards in four plays to take a quick 7-0 lead as Roethlisberger completed a 22-yard pass to the tight end and then two plays later HB Mewelde Moore scored from 32 yards out.
The Giants responded with an 11-play, 57-yard drive that ended in a 26-yard field goal by PK John Carney. QB Eli Manning converted on two key 3rd-and-5 passes on this drive.
The second Steelers’ possession was cut short by an interception by S James Butler. Butler fumbled the ball on the play but CB Corey Webster recovered, setting up the Giants at Pittsburgh’s 42-yard line. The Giants drove to the Steelers’ 2-yard line, but in five plays (a penalty added an extra down) New York was embarrassingly unable to punch the ball into the end zone. HB Brandon Jacobs was stuffed at the 1-yard line on three consecutive running plays, including 4th-and-goal.
The Steelers were unable to escape the shadow of the end zone and punted. WR Domenik Hixon returned the punt 28 yards down to the Steelers’ 19-yard line. However, the Giants were unable to pick up more than two offensive yards and were forced to settle for a 35-yard field goal. Steelers 7 – Giants 6.
On the Steelers’ ensuing possession, their fourth of the game, Roethlisberger was once again picked off, this time by LB Bryan Kehl. The 17-yard return by Kehl and a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the Steelers gave the Giants the ball at the Pittsburgh 29-yard line. Yet, after picking up one first down, the Giants again settled for a field goal, this one 25 yards out. Giants 9 – Steelers 7.
The Steelers picked up two first downs on their final drive of the half, but then were forced to punt. The Giants then kneeled on the football to take a 2-point lead headed into the break.
After intermission, both teams exchanged punts. On the first play of the Steelers’ second possession in the third quarter, Roethlisberger hit WR Nate Washington for a 65-yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 14-9 advantage.
The Giants went three-and-out on their next possession. This was followed by a bizarre penalty-filled, 10-play possession by the Steelers that only netted 17 yards. A 53-yard touchdown pass to Washington was nullified by an offensive holding penalty.
The Giants were held to three-and-out again on their next possession. In three 3rd quarter possessions, the Giants were held to 10 plays and 8 yards.
The good news for New York was the defense once again rose to the occasion. Webster intercepted Roethlisberger at the Giants’ 25 yard line and returned the ball to the Giants’ 32-yard line. New York then drove 62 yards in 12 plays, but for the fourth time in the game settled for a short field goal, this time from 24 yards out. On the drive, Manning converted key passes to TE Kevin Boss (for 16 yards on 3rd-and-9) and WR Amani Toomer (for 30 yards on 4th-and-6). Steelers 14 – Giants 12.
With just over eight minutes to play in the game, the Steelers received the ensuing kickoff but could not pick up one first down. The long snap to the Steelers’ punter was off the mark and resulted in a safety. The game was tied at 14-14.
After the safety, the Giants received the kick and returned the ball 16 yards to the New York 47-yard line. Manning completed a critical 25-yard pass to WR Steve Smith on 3rd-and-7. Four plays later, Manning found Boss for the 2-yard score that gave the Giants a 21-14 advantage.
With only three minutes to play and trailing by seven points, the Steelers were unable to pick up one first down and turned over the ball on downs. The Giants were also unable to run out the clock and the Steelers received the ball one more time with a chance to tie the game late. But S Kenny Phillips intercepted Roethlisberger on 4th-and-15 to seal the deal for the Giants.
Offensively, Manning finished 19-of-32 for 199 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. HB Derrick Ward had five catches for 43 yards and 13 carries for 37 yards. Jacobs was limited to 47 yards on 18 carries. WR Plaxico Burress, who did not start and did not play for the entire first quarter as punishment for missing a medical treatment, was held to 15 yards on three catches. Toomer caught two passes for 39 yards. Smith caught three balls for 45 yards and Boss four passes for 34 yards.
Defensively, DE Mathias Kiwanuka picked up three sacks and forced a fumble. DE Justin Tuck and DE Dave Tollefson also accrued sacks. Butler, Kehl, Webster, and Phillips intercepted passes.
Carney finished the game a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts.
Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were HB Danny Ware, WR Sinorice Moss, OT Adam Koets, DE Jerome McDougle, LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee), CB Sam Madison, CB R.W. McQuarters, and PK Lawrence Tynes.
WR Plaxico Burress did not start today’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and did not play for the entire first quarter because he missed a mandatory medical treatment session yesterday morning. Burress was suspended for the October 5th game against the Seattle Seahawks for missing team meetings.
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