Pittsburgh Steelers 24 – New York Giants 20

Steelers Rally to Beat Giants 24-20: The Pittsburgh Steelers scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to overcome a 20-10 deficit and beat the New York Giants 24-20 earlier today at MetLife Stadium. The loss dropped the Giants to 6-3 on the season.

In many ways, the game was not as close as the final score as the Steelers out-played the Giants on offense, defense, and special teams. Statistically, Pittsburgh dominated, out-gaining the Giants in first downs (22 to 13), third down efficiency (46 to 20 percent), offensive plays (69 to 48), total net yards (349 to 182), net yards rushing (158 to 68), net yards passing (191 to 114), punt return yardage (76 to 0), kickoff return yardage (173 to 100), and time of possession (35:15 to 24:45).

Neither team could do much on their first two offensive possessions and the Giants and Steelers exchanged punts twice. The Giants then turned the football over on their third offensive possession as QB Eli Manning’s pass intended for WR Victor Cruz was intercepted by CB Ike Taylor and returned to the Steelers’ 42-yard line. Pittsburgh then put together an 11-play, 58-yard drive that resulted in a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger to WR Emmanuel Sanders. Steelers 7 – Giants 0.

The Giants responded with an 8-play, 72-yard drive that tied the game at 7-7 when HB Andre Brown scored from one yard out. The drive was aided by a questionable 41-yard pass interference penalty on CB Keenan Lewis against WR Hakeem Nicks and a questionable personal foul call on S Ryan Clark against Cruz on an incomplete 3rd-and-2 pass.

The Steelers returned the ensuing kickoff to the Giants’ 48-yard line. But four plays later, DE Osi Umenyiora sacked Roethlisberger and forced a fumble that was returned 70 yards for a touchdown by LB Michael Boley. Giants 14 – Steelers 7.

The Steelers crossed into Giants’ territory on their next possession but a big sack by DE Jason Pierre-Paul forced a punt. With 1:10 left before halftime, the Giants moved from their own 20-yard line to the Steelers’ 33-yard line. However, PK Lawrence Tynes missed the 51-yard field goal. Worse, the miss gave the Steelers excellent field position. With just 31 seconds left, the Steelers picked up 47 yards in four plays to set up a 30-yard field goal.

At the half, the Giants led the Steelers 14-10.

The Giants controlled the third quarter, but could only extend their lead by another six points. The Steelers went three-and-out on their first drive and turned the football over on their second in the third quarter as CB Corey Webster intercepted Roethlisberger. Meanwhile, the Giants drove 61 yards in nine plays on their first possession, setting up a 50-yard field goal by Tynes. Webster’s interception, gave the Giants the football at the Steelers’ 33-yard line. But facing a 1st-and-goal from the Steelers’ 4-yard line, but the Giants could not punch the football in and settled for a 23-yard field goal. Giants 20 – Steelers 10.

Pittsburgh dominated the fourth quarter. On 3rd-and-5, Roethlisberger connected with WR Mike Wallace for a 51-yard catch-and-run for the touchdown. Giants 20 – Steelers 17.

On their next two possessions, the Giants went three-and-out. The Steelers returned a punt 63 yards down to the Giants’ 12-yard line. On 4th-and-1 from the Giants’ 3-yard line, the Steelers attempted a fake field goal, but the Giants stuffed it for a 1-yard loss.

With just under nine minutes to play, Pittsburgh drove 51 yards in 9 plays to take the lead when HB Isaac Redman scored from one yard out. Steelers 24 – Giants 20.

Then, with just under four minutes to play, the Giants started their final possession on their 12-yard line after a special teams holding penalty on S Tyler Sash. The Giants could not pick up a first down and punted with three minutes to play. The Giants’ defense could not hold as the Steelers picked up two first downs and ran out the clock.

Offensively, the Giants played very poorly. Manning only completed 10-of-24 passes for 125 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. WR Victor Cruz caught five passes for 67 yards while WR Hakeem Nicks was held to one catch for 10 yards. HB Ahmad Bradshaw carried the ball 15 times for 48 yards.

Defensively, the Giants faltered in the fourth quarter. LB Michael Boley had 10 tackles and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. CB Corey Webster had an interception. Defensive ends Justin Tuck (2), Jason-Pierre Paul, and Osi Umenyiora all had sacks.

Highlights/lowlights of the game are available at NFL.com.

Injury Update: HB Andre Brown injured his shoulder in the game and will undergo further tests. DT Chris Canty injured his groin.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Post-Game Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference are available at Giants.com.

Post-Game Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video clips of the following player media Q&As after the game are available at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning (Video)
• HB Ahmad Bradshaw (Video)
• WR Victor Cruz (Video)
• WR Hakeem Nicks (Video)
• TE Martellus Bennett (Video)
• OT David Diehl (Video)
• DE Justin Tuck (Video)
• LB Michael Boley (Video)
• LB Mark Herzlich (Video)
• S Antrel Rolle (Video)

Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were TE Bear Pascoe (ankle), TE Adrien Robinson, DE Adewale Ojomo, LB Chase Blackburn (hamstring), LB Jacquian Williams (knee), LB Keith Rivers (calf), and S Kenny Phillips (knee).