Steelers vs. Giants: A late interception seals Pittsburgh's hard-fought win over New York on Monday Night Football

CNN
—

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Giants 26-18 on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium, on a night marked by defensive plays and a moment of special team brilliance.

The game started slowly as both teams struggled to convert drives into touchdowns, with their kickers – Chris Boswell for Pittsburgh and Greg Joseph for New York – successfully converting three field goals each, leaving the score tied at 9-9 at halftime.

But the game got going with 4:38 left in the third quarter when Pittsburgh's Calvin Austin III took a Giants punt around the edge of the defenders and down the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown.

And the 25-year-old wasn't finished yet; On the very next Steelers drive at the start of the fourth, the wide receiver caught a 29-yard pass from QB Russell Wilson, extending Pittsburgh's lead to 14.

According to the NFL, Austin III is just the second player in the last three seasons to score a receiving and a punt return touchdown in the same game. The other player was Kalif Raymond, who achieved the feat on Sunday for the Detroit Lions as they defeated the Tennessee Titans.

After the game, Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith praised Austin III's work ethic and ability to stay ready.

“I went to him after he scored the touchdown and said it was a matter of time and I knew he would get it soon,” Highsmith said as he explained what he told the receiver after his first touchdown had.

“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 it was great to see him score those two touchdowns today, especially the punt return. “That’s just great for him too, so I’m happy for him and he’s a great player.”

However, the Giants attempted a comeback when rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushed 45 yards for a sensational touchdown just under two minutes later.

However, that was for the best for the visitors as they failed in their two-point conversion attempt after the game was scored – 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 the perfect opportunity for a comeback, Jones did the same, fumbling after Pittsburgh's TJ Watt put the ball in a strip sack with the first-team All-Pro had kicked loose Winning the ball back to force a loss of possession.

The Giants' defense stepped up one last time to force a punt and give the team one last chance at a comeback. But Jones was intercepted by Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. — his third in two games — and Pittsburgh held on for the hard-fought victory.

It's the second straight win with Wilson as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback after replacing Justin Fields. Wilson finished the game 20 of 28 yards for 278 yards and the touchdown pass to Austin III, while running back Najee Harris added 114 yards on the ground on 19 carries.

The Steelers now enter their bye week on a three-game winning streak atop the AFC North with a record of 6-2.

However, Watt says he and his Pittsburgh teammates aren't resting on their laurels just yet.

“We’re (not) just worried about the overall result,” said the 30-year-old. “We can’t allow a 48-yard touchdown or whatever. But there are things we can correct and improve every week.

“We’re saying goodbye and we can’t just go on vacation. We have to find a way to get better this week, improve our lead and get better.”

The loss drops the Giants to 2-6 and will face the resurgent Washington Commanders in Week 9.