EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger did a really Pittsburgh factor in his return to the lineup, driving the Steelers’ protection and operating sport to victory.

Oh, Massive Ben did a lot to assist the trigger. Roethlisberger, who missed the ultimate 14 video games final season after elbow surgical procedure, threw for 3 scores in a 26-16 win over the New York Giants at an empty and eerie MetLife Stadium on Monday evening.

The keys, although, had been a number of defensive performs and the operating of backup Bennie Snell, who rushed for 113 yards on 19 carries – his first 100-yard efficiency in his second NFL season.

”We now have talked brazenly in regards to the maturation course of and issues you possibly can anticipate from a second-year participant,” coach Mike Tomlin stated, ”and he is confirmed indicators of that from the very starting of this course of. He’s a top quality participant and one that’s maturing and rising, and one who answered the bell when known as upon.”

The protection, whereas not fairly on the extent of the famed Metal Curtain, was a lot stingy and bodily. It not solely held Saquon Barkley to six yards on 15 carries, it additionally swarmed him within the backfield practically all evening.

Three Steelers stars acquired them their first landing. All-Professional linebacker T.J. Watt made a intelligent interception on the New York 36. Roethlisberger beat a blitz with an ideal throw to JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 10-yard second-quarter rating. Chris Boswell’s additional level hit the upright, leaving them behind 10-9.

They acquired the lead with 7 seconds remaining within the half as Roethlisberger linked with James Washington, who dived into the tip zone for a 13-yard rating. Boswell made the PAT this time, and added a 36-yard subject objective early within the remaining quarter. That got here following the evening’s greatest play.

Regardless that the Pittsburgh protection broke down because the Giants marched 87 yards on 19 performs in slightly below 9 minutes within the third quarter, it nonetheless got here up with a serious cease. Bud Dupree pressured quarterback Daniel Jones as he rolled left from the four and deflected his go. Edge rusher Cam Heyward virtually made a good catch ultimately zone for the interception.

”I wish to make a play for my group. I noticed Bud laying him down,” Heyward stated. ”I attempted to make play and float to the ball.

”We acquired to be an opportunistic protection. We acquired sacks by guys who do not normally get sacks and interceptions by guys who do not normally get interceptions.”

Roethlisberger then took Pittsburgh 62 yards for the sector objective and a 19-10 lead. He hit Smith-Schuster once more for a 10-yard landing and a 26-10 lead earlier than New York acquired a late TD.

Roethlisberger completed 21 of 32 for 229 yards has now thrown for 366 touchdowns, a franchise document, tying Eli Manning for the eighth most in NFL historical past.

SLOPPINESS

Not unexpectedly, sloppy play was the order of the night early on. New York had a dropped go by Evan Engram and a delay-of-game penalty on fourth-and-1.

The primary time a Steeler touched the ball this season, it was a muff by punt returner Diontae Johnson deep in Pittsburgh territory. Oshane Ximines recovered on the 3, however New York solely managed a 21-yard subject objective by Graham Gano.

There have been three drops and the muff within the first half of the opening interval, and neither group may run the ball efficiently in Joe Choose’s debut as Giants coach.

Not precisely made for prime time – till the start of the second quarter and Darius Slayton’s publish sample landing reception of 41 yards for a 10-Three Giants lead.

Slayton caught a 7-yard TD go with 1:52 remaining within the sport and had six receptions for 102 yards.

PREGAME SCENE

Nineteen of the Giants’ 48 energetic gamers knelt in the course of the nationwide anthem, largely defensive gamers. Defensive deal with Dalvin Tomlinson was on a knee with a hand throughout his coronary heart.

The Steelers stood facet by facet whereas a gaggle of gamers held a white banner with the phrases ”Steelers Towards Racism.” Solely tight finish Eric Ebron raised his arm.

The Steelers remained of their locker room and the Giants stood in an finish zone some 25 minutes earlier when the Black anthem, ”Raise Each Voice and Sing,” was performed.

INJURIES

Steelers beginning operating again James Conner left within the second half with an ankle harm. Guard Stefen Wisnewski sustained a pectoral harm one play earlier than proper deal with Zach Banner harm his proper knee within the fourth quarter. Banner had overwhelmed out Chukwuma Okorafor for the beginning spot after he remade his physique and method, dropping 30 kilos.

NEXT UP

Steelers: Host the Broncos on Sunday.

Giants: Go to the Bears on Sunday.

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