by
CNN
—
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Giants 26-18 Monday night at Acrisure Stadium, on a night highlighted by defensive plays and a moment of special teams brilliance.
The game started slowly, with both teams struggling to convert drives into touchdowns, with their kickers – Chris Boswell for Pittsburgh and Greg Joseph for New York – each managing to convert three field goals to make the score 9-9 at halftime.
But the game came alive again with 4:38 left in the third quarter when Pittsburgh’s Calvin Austin III took a Giants punt around defenders and down the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown.
And the 25-year-old wasn’t done there; On the Steelers’ very next drive early in the fourth, the wide receiver caught a 29-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 14.
According to the NFL, Austin III became only the second player in the last three seasons to have receiving and punt return touchdowns in the same game. The other player was Kalif Raymond who accomplished the feat Sunday for the Detroit Lions in their demolition of the Tennessee Titans.
After the game, Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith praised Austin III’s work ethic and ability to stay ready.
“I went up to him after he scored the touchdown and told him it was a matter of time and I knew he was going to get it soon,” Highsmith said in explaining what he had told the receiver after his first touchdown.
“He’s a guy that comes in every day, he works hard, he’s humble, he’s level-headed and he’s a great guy, and so to see him get those two touchdowns today, in especially that punt return, was awesome again, it’s just huge for him, so I’m happy for him, and he’s a heck of a player.
The Giants attempted to mount a comeback, however, with rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. racing 45 yards for a sensational touchdown just under two minutes later.
However, that was as good as it got for the visitors as they failed in their two-point conversion attempt after the score – quarterback Daniel Jones was visibly frustrated after WR Malik Nabers was tackled as there was clear confusion within the Giants team.
After Wilson fumbled the ball at his own 34-yard line, giving New York a perfect chance to come back, Jones did the same, fumbling after Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt released the ball in a strip sack with the first team All-Pro. recover the ball to force a turnover.
The Giants defense stepped up one last time to force a punt and give the team one last chance to come back. But Jones saw his pass intercepted by Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. – his third in two games – and Pittsburgh held on for the hard-fought victory.
This is the second straight victory with Wilson as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback after replacing Justin Fields. Wilson finished 20 of 28 for 278 passing yards and touchdown passes at Austin III, while running back Najee Harris added 114 rushing yards on 19 carries.
The Steelers now enter their bye week with a three-game winning streak atop the AFC North with a 6-2 record.
However, Watt says he and his Pittsburgh teammates aren’t resting on their laurels just yet.
“We’re not just concerned about the overall result,” the 30-year-old said. “We can’t allow a 48-yard touchdown or anything. But there are things we can correct and improve every week.
“We’re taking time off and we can’t just go on vacation. We have to find a way to improve and refine our edge this week and get better.
The Giants fall to 2-6 with the loss and face the resurgent Washington Commanders in Week 9.
