Three Keys to a Giants win over the Pittsburgh Steelers

SCORE AN EARLY TOUCHDOWN

The lowly Giants have scored 10 points combined in their last two games, including only three points in the first half. The Steelers defense has not allowed a single point in the third quarter of a game this season. So if Brian Daboll’s offense sputters early again, Pittsburgh might shut New York out. They won’t let a slow-starting Giants offense off the mat.

GIVE MAXIMUM EFFORT

It’s a sad state when players need to be reminded to try their hardest, but that’s where the Giants are after starting corner Deonte Banks quit on a play for the second time in four games against the Eagles. Malik Nabers’ body language on offense also must improve. Banks is still starting, though, and Daboll enabled Nabers’ “I was open” postgame behavior. So it remains to be seen if the players learn their lessons.

STOP THE RUN

Russell Wilson might give the Giants’ secondary their first interception of the season, but only if Shane Bowen’s defense stops the run and makes Pittsburgh throw the ball. The Giants are allowing 5.2 yards per carry, tied for second-worst in the NFL, after Saquon Barkley and the Eagles spanked them for 269 yards on the ground in Week 7. And the Steelers love to run the ball with Najee Harris, which will make play action way too easy for Wilson if New York doesn’t clamp down.