Brian Daboll needs to clean this up

Judgement the Giants’ 26–18 loss to the Steelers Monday evening:

Offence

The good was canceled out by far too many penalties and mistakes that turned the chances into dust. Daniel Jones (24 of 38, 264 yards) lost a fumble on a strip sack (Jones botched the protection call) and threw an interception in the final three minutes. Eventually he got the ball in the field to Darius Slayton (4-108), but his connection with Malik Nabers (seven catches on thirteen goals) was poor. Rookie RB Tyrone Tracy (20-145) fouled out on a 45-yard TD run, and he looks good. Tackles Jermaine Eluemunor and Chris Hubbard had tough nights against TJ Watt (two sacks) and Alex Highsmith (two sacks). Jon Runyan Jr., Hubbard, Eluemunor and Greg Van Roten were all called for penalties. An attempted two-point conversion failed. There was an illegal shift penalty and a delay game penalty on back-to-back plays in the third quarter. Bah.

Grade: C-

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is chased by Steelers' TJ Watt (90) on October 28, 2024. — Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is chased by Steelers’ TJ Watt (90) on October 28, 2024. AP

Defense

This unit allowed 19 points, and sometimes that should be enough. Yet there was no domination at all. Najee Harris (19-114) averaged six yards per carry. Russell Wilson (20 of 28, 278 yards, 1 TD) did enough. Rough performance for rookie CB Dru Phillips, who was beaten by Calvin Austin III on a 19-yard TD reception. Nick McCloud was beaten by Van Jefferson on a 36-yard catch. Bobby Okereke had his most active game this season with 14 tackles. Azeez Ojulari had two sacks and Brian Burns had one. Armon Watts dropped Jaylen Warren for a loss of three yards. Micah McFadden forced a fumble on Wilson, which Okereke recovered.

Grade: C

Special teams

Matt Haack overran his coverage and there were four missed tackle attempts on a highly damaging 73-yard punt return for an Austin touchdown. Greg Joseph went 4 of 4 on field goals of 29, 39, 44 and 48 yards. Ihmir Smith-Marsette had a 45-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter. Dane Belton made a tackle on punt coverage at the Pittsburgh 16-yard line. Punt returns were killer.

Grade: D

Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts during a loss to the Steelers on October 28, 2024. Getty Images

Coaching

This time, the little things hurt the Giants, and Brian Daboll needs to clean up some of them. Pre-snap penalties and guys who aren’t ready can’t advance. I didn’t like him going for the two-point conversion so early (11:07 remaining), but that’s what the book and analytics say to do, so whatever. Daboll benched Deonte Banks was something. Shane Bowen’s defense allowed 167 rushing yards, which is once again unacceptable.

Grade: D