The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 26-18 win over the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football,” with Calvin Austin delivering a standout performance that anchored the victory. The young wide receiver recorded two crucial touchdowns, solidifying his role as a rising playmaker for Pittsburgh. Austin’s electric night began with an outstanding third quarter with a 73-yard punt return touchdown that broke a 9-9 tie and propelled the Steelers into the lead. Catching the punt near midfield, Austin expertly navigated through defenders, sprinting into the end zone and giving the Steelers a 16-9 advantage with just over four minutes remaining in the quarter. In the fourth quarter, Austin struck again. On a 3rd-and-8 from the Giants’ 29-yard line, quarterback Russell Wilson launched a deep pass into the end zone, where Austin made a catch outrunning defenders, completing a 29-yard touchdown that widened Pittsburgh’s lead to 23-9. This game marked a high point in Austin’s second season, where he’s already logged 257 receiving yards and two touchdowns in just eight games. For comparison, his rookie season in 2023 saw him finish with 180 yards and one touchdown over 17 games. The Steelers’ defense also played a crucial role, applying relentless pressure on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith recorded multiple sacks, with Watt’s strip-sack and fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter securing the win for Pittsburgh and thwarting any chance of a Giants comeback. Related: Steelers Trio Crashing NFL Party Austin’s impact on both offense and special teams helped propel Pittsburgh to their sixth win of the season, extending the Steelers’ “MNF” home win streak to 22 games. Pittsburgh, now 6-2, heads into a well-timed bye week in Week 9, allowing players to rest and recover before facing a formidable Washington Commanders team in Week 10. With emerging talent like Austin and a dominant defense, the Steelers remain a formidable force in the AFC North as they gear up for the second half of the season. Copyright 2024 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
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