Tomorrow\’s game against the New York Giants will be a huge measuring stick of where exactly the Steelers are in comparison to the rest of the league. The Steelers combined opponents record thus far is 13-24, with no opponent having better than a .500 record. The rest of the schedule starting Sunday has Steeler opponents at a 35-29 record, with four teams having a better than .500 winning percentage. The Steelers have a league-high 25 sacks on defense and are back to their old blitzing ways under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. On Sunday the Steelers must put pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning and concentrate on holding running back Brandon Jacobs under 100 yards. Once again the Steelers secondary will likely be left on a island with cornerback William Gay having to fill in for the injured Bryant McFadden. The 6-5 former Steeler wide receiver, Plaxico Burress will look to match up against the shorter 5-10 Gay. The Steelers will likely try to assign Ike Taylor to Burress most of the day, with help over top by safety Troy Polamalu.
On offense the Steelers will once again turn to running back Mewelde Moore to fill the void of the still absent Willie Parker. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be inactive after his marijuana charge on Thursday, so Nate Washington, Dallas Baker and rookie Limas Sweed will all be counted on in the passing game. The offensive line has been playing better as Darnell Stapleton has filled in well for the injured Kendall Simmons. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger must be mistake free versus a fast attacking Giants defense.
The key on Sunday will come down to the all important turnover and big play categories. This will be a hard hitting slug fest.
Prediction: Steelers 23 Giants 20
