Tom's Ten Takes – Steelers Vs Giants

After every game of the Steelers 2024 season, I'll give you my 10 takes again. These won't be hot takes meant to shock the world. These are instant reactions that are written in the immediate aftermath of the game, when emotions are high and ideas are fresh. Included are thoughts, observations, questions, and reasons that led me to yell at the television.

Week 8 of the regular season against the New York Giants

1. Chop, sack, get the ball back – Thank God for TJ Watt. A turnover at the worst time of the game for the Steelers' offense gave the Giants the ball back and a chance to tie the score. Watt, quiet in the last two games due to the extra attention from chips and double teams, made his presence known when it was needed most. His tackling on a scramble was tremendous. Daniel Jones is a good runner and could have made the first descent if he hadn't stumbled. He followed with a sack/forced fumble/fumble recovery. Huge plays.

2. Tricks of the first half – You dress up for trick-or-treating and get to the first door hoping to get your first taste of chocolate and raisins. That was the first half. The Steelers had a whopping 238 yards in the first half but couldn't get into the end zone.

Well, let me get this straight. They got it in the end zone, but one was denied by a penalty, one had Van Jefferson running through the open area of ​​the zone defense, and obviously two right feet down doesn't equal a catch. Arthur Smith had a great first half, and I may be being a little greedy considering how the offense has played most of this season, but the Steelers are moving the ball now. You MUST score touchdowns in the red zone.

3. What is the rush? – The Steelers prepare the ball to start the four-minute offense at the end of the game. Here they should hammer the running game inside and use strategic passes when necessary. This is all to slow down the clock while working in the field. The offense comes out and runs the rush-up offense. No huddling, just lining up and running fast like the Steelers were behind. The second play, on which Russell Wilson fumbled, was aborted with about 20 seconds left. What is the thought process here? Take your time, empty the clock. The offense moved the ball well most of the night. I don't understand this decision.

4. Don’t fill the bag with candy – The team had a chance to sign Najee Harris to an extension but decided against it. After a slow start to the season, things are hot for Harris. He was one of the team's treats as he posted his third straight 100-yard game and averaged six yards on 19 carries. He seemed faster, more agile and with a swing that we haven't seen in recent years. I think it was the team's right decision not to extend him before the season, but I'm happy for Harris. The way he's playing, he's going to get the bag from someone willing to pay him.

5. Two feet are not the same as two feet – I get it, but I don't understand it. For a catch to be a catch, we always heard the same thing. You have to control the ball with both feet in the court. Not a left foot and a right foot. Two feet. Technically, George Pickens fell two feet behind in the end zone.

Unfortunately, according to the rule, it can't be the same foot. One knee is fine. A glute muscle also works. Just not the same foot twice. It caused confusion throughout the football world, with some wondering whether hopping across the pitch on one foot after making a catch would count as a catch. I've said it before. If you want to see an unusual call, watch a Steeler game.

6. Use what’s in the cupboard – Many names were mentioned in the Steelers' search for another receiver. Most of them went to other teams. Some potential targets were injured. Some would simply not be an improvement over what they have in house. Don't look now, but Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III seemed like viable options on offense. They combined for seven catches, 116 yards and a touchdown. Both also had at least 29 yards receiving. Arthur Smith finds his groove. Russell Wilson gives them chances. Sometimes you have to use the old plastic cup instead of the milk cup.

7. 7 + 7 is still 14, right? – Analytics can be really stupid. The Giants lost by 14 points and then used analytics to decide what to do next. Analytics recommends choosing two. If you do it, you can score again and score the extra point to take the lead. It's pretty arrogant that you score again and the other team doesn't. If you don't convert, you know you'll have to choose two and convert next time.

This also applies as long as the other team does not score a goal. I can understand the process. Theoretically. But if you shoot the extra point to lose seven points, you can still shoot to tie or decide to win if you score again. If you ask me, this is all exaggerated.

8. Now give him the award – The Associated Press has been giving out a new award since 2014. The award is given to the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. It was awarded to a defensive coordinator six times. Four times to offensive coordinators, including Giants head coach Brian Daboll when he was in Buffalo. It's time. This year it should go to special teams coach Danny Smith. Blocked Kicks and Block Punts. Chris Boswell is currently in a zone. Smith works with a substitute and gunners and they dominate. Austin punts to the house and lobs Rodney Williams for a keyblock that corners him. Danny Smith deserves it.

9. Room for Improvement – The defense was a little frustrating tonight. On the ground, he gave up 157 yards at a clip of 6.3 yards per carry. There were a handful of third-and-long plays that were given up. Too many uncontested catches. Too many yards after contact due to missed tackles. And on a lot of those tackling attempts, the guys grabbed the ball carriers and just turned them around instead of throwing them to the ground. The sacks from Watt and Alex Highsmith were great plays and finishing with another interception from Beanie Bishop Jr. sounds great, but overall it was a lackluster defensive performance.

10. I have to do the right thing right – Oh Broderick Jones. He cost the team a touchdown with a facemask penalty. He allowed a sack. On another play, he was blasted by former Steeler Armon Watts. He has a lot of talent playing the right tackle position. He got off to a good start on this side last season. But something is missing. The light didn't come on.

When multiple former NFL offensive linemen and line coaches ask him what's going on with his game, that's not a good sign. Where's the nastiness you want in a lineman? Jones seems to play at around six when you would like him to be at more like ten. The ability is there. He has to decide how good he really wants to be.