Giants can’t solve Steelers on Sunday

New York resembled the team that won last year’s Super Bowl in a four-game win streak, but was outplayed for most of the game despite the relatively close scoreline, as Ed Valentine wrote at Giants’ blog Big Blue View in his postgame recap:

The Giants caught some breaks in a game to stay close: although Pittsburgh’s 349 yards were nearly twice as many as the 182 New York gained and the Steelers possessed the ball for ten more minutes than the Giants, New York scored on a 70-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the second quarter and stonewalled an ill-advised fake field goal attempt yards away from the end zone to stay ahead late. But the Giants just couldn’t get anything going on offense, starting with the guy under center:

The victory was a statement for Pittsburgh, who has now won three straight games after starting the season 2-3. The Steelers appear to be finding their groove, which could be a scary thing for the rest of the AFC North according to SB Nation’s Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain:

Wallace was targeted just five times on the night after being targeted a whopping 24 times over his previous two games. His touchdown catch was his fifth this season.

Fantasy Impact: While he needed the long touchdown reception to salvage his fantasy outing for owners, it should be noted that the electrifying play he made is the reason Wallace is a great player to begin with. Wallace continues to be a solid WR1/WR2 for fantasy owners thanks to his nose for the end zone, despite the fact that he has just one game with over 100 yards receiving this season.

Fantasy Impact: The Steelers’ running game looked woeful to start the year, but somehow it has become downright formidable recently despite the rampant injuries among the running backs. It’s impossible to tell who will start out of the backfield next week, but whoever does has a prime matchup against a reeling Chiefs squad.

For more fantasy info, head over to the SB Nation Fantasy War Room 4-8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Check out SB Nation’s own Fantasy Football game, Pick 6!

Roethlisberger has yet to be held without a touchdown pass this season. He has five touchdown passes over his last two games. His passing yardage was his lowest of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Roethlisberger didn’t have a monster fantasy performance, but his pair of scoring tosses turned what could have been a dud performance into a steady outing. He has been consistent throughout the season, with a 384-yard, four-touchdown game in Week 3 representing his lone big outburst of fantasy points.

Cruz has just one game over 100 yards receiving in his last five. He has been held without a touchdown in two straight games. Nicks played a full game but was held to just one reception for 10 yards. He has not scored a touchdown since Week 2.

Fantasy Impact: Eli Manning went just 10-for-24 passing, and the bad outing reflected itself in the poor numbers from Cruz and Nicks. It’s unclear what’s wrong with the Giants’ quarterback. He has looked inaccurate and uncomfortable for two straight weeks after a hot start to the season.

There is no word yet on Brown’s long-term healthy status. He has now recorded a touchdown carry in three straight games, giving him six total scores on the year to four for Bradshaw.

Fantasy Impact: Brown is now the Giants’ de facto short yardage back, which significantly reduces Bradshaw’s fantasy value. His lack of carries make him a risky fantasy option in standard leagues, though he was on track for a bigger role Sunday before the injury.

For more fantasy info, head over to the SB Nation Fantasy War Room 4-8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Check out SB Nation’s own Fantasy Football game, Pick 6!

Manning has now thrown for less than 200 yards in back-to-back outings. He has also yet to throw a touchdown since Week 7. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes for the first time this season.

Fantasy Impact: Manning had a hideous day passing against the Steelers, finding just four different receivers on the day. His back-to-back bad outings is worrisome, especially considering how well he has played this season. Is he pulling a reverse Eli and going cold late in the year?

Good guy Steelers.

via @Steelers

Head to SB Nation’s fantasy hub for all your football needs.

Odds: The Giants did not cover the spread, as they were favored by 4.5 points. The teams did not clear the over mark either, which was set at 47 points.

Giants fans, never stop being yourselves.

The hit in which the injury occurred didn’t initially look bad, but as he was walking towards the sideline Rainey collapsed, and spend several minutes on the ground as the trainers tended to him. In solidarity, both the Steelers and Giants joined in prayer mid-field as Rainey was assisted off the field.

After spending some time on the bench, being further evaluated by the training staff, the Steelers carted Chris Rainey to the locker room for further evaluations. There has been no update on his status at this time.

First, the tuck rule itself:

Don’t take my word for it, though, watch for yourself:

Dwyer, meanwhile, was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Dwyer is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. He has 299 yards on the season.

The Giants (6-2) will try to win their fifth-straight game Sunday against Pittsburgh (4-3).

Ed Valentine from Big Blue View has a great post this week breaking down the 2004 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks — you know, the one that includes Manning and Roethlisberger — and here’s a snippet (though you should really read it all) comparing it to the greatest QB drafts ever:

Behind The Steel Curtain’s Neal Coolong took a more analytical approach to this week’s game.

The defending champion Giants are off to their typical hot start, but the trick for them will be avoiding the second half stumbles that troubled the team in 2009 and 2010. The Giants defense is giving up an average of 20.1 points per game, just a shade better than Pittsburgh’s 20.6. They’ve put together a stronger game on offense, where they’re averaging 29.3 points per game, compared to Pittsburgh’s 23.9.

Example: Sunday, Nov. 4, 4:25 p.m. ET

SB Nation NFL expert Chris Thorman gave the benefit of doubt to the home team, taking New York to win 21-20. The OddsShark.com score predictor tilts further in favor of the Giants, anticipating a 33-27 New York win. Two of three Yahoo experts select the Giants, as does the Yahoo users poll, but the CBS Sports panel is split on the outcome.

The Giants and Steelers are scheduled to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET, with television coverage on CBS.

NFL teams typically travel to the locations for away games one or two days before the matchup, and have a walk-though practice in the opposing team’s stadium. Getting to the city ahead of time also allows players to get a good night’s sleep and makes gameday less hectic.

The Steelers will have a bit of a whirlwind Sunday, arriving in the New York/New Jersey area in the morning, playing the game in the afternoon, then flying back to Pittsburgh at night.