Photo: MNF on ESPN
Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!
The Pittsburgh Steelers hadn’t quite put the game away in the fourth quarter of the Monday Night Football game at Acrisure Stadium against the New York Giants. Ahead 26-18, Russell Wilson had lost the ball during a run that the Giants recovered. Not to be deterred, defensive team captain T.J. Watt simply went to work with one goal in mind: get that ball back.
On 1st & 10 from the Pittsburgh 37, Daniel Jones completed a short pass to Malik Nabers for 9 yards. The Giants converted the furst down on a 6-yard carry by Tyrone Tracy, Jr. In the hurry-up, Jones again handed the ball of to Tracy for just a 2-yard gain; the Giants running back was shook up on the play after Cameron Heyward made the stop.
On 2nd & 8 at the Pittsburgh 20, Jones tried a keeper that was almost comical as he was snagged by the ankles by Watt. On 3rd & 7 at the 19, with just 2:59 left in the game, Jones took the snap from shotgun and quickly regretted it.
Watt shot off the line and beat the lone blocker – the right tackle – easily outmaneuvering him to swim to the back of Jones and strip the ball loose before a pass could be made. The ball squirted to the turf and Watt twisted to fall on his own forced-fumble.
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The strip-sack was Watt’s second sack of the night, but the turnover was huge. The ball was given back to Pittsburgh’s offense. Even though they could not convert, the Giants offense was left with just 1:53 to try to get into the end zone. Rookie Beanie Bishop broke up a pass to earn an interception, instead, sealing the win for the Steelers, 26-18.
