Eli Manning, Giants Struggle In 24-14 Loss To Steelers

Eli Manning went 24 of 39 for 195 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and the New York Giants fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-14 at Heinz Field on Sunday.

Eli Manning, Giants Struggle In 24-14 Loss To Steelers

In the second quarter, with Pittsburgh ahead 5-0, Manning tossed an interception in the red zone to linebacker Lawrence Timmons. Overall, the quarterback seemed to scramble for throws, which resulted in interceptions or incomplete passes. Even his fourth-down incompletion to tight end Will Tye was throw off his back foot. His QB rating was 69.0.

The Steelers (7-5) gained the lead in the first quarter thanks to a holding penalty on Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers that was ruled as a safety (one of two costly penalties on Flowers), and then a field goal.

Running back Rashad Jennings finally put the Giants (8-4) on the board with 6:30 remaining in the third quarter. Manning threw a short pass to Jennings from inside the Steelers 20 to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 14-7. However, three minutes later, Ben Roethlisberger hit A.J. Green with a 25-yard TD pass to put the Steelers up 21-7.

In the final minute of the third quarter, rookie Giants cornerback Eli Apple– a first-round pick out of Ohio State– got a key interception, catching Roethlisberger’s pass that was intended for wide receiver Eli Rogers. It marked the 21-year-old Apple’s first career interception.

Beckham took particular offense with an offensive pass interference call at the end of the first quarter, which he expected to go the other way.

Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. was the only New York playmaker to really threaten the Steelers. He was targeted 16 times– 15 in the second half– and finished with 10 catches for 100 yards. Nevertheless, Beckham seems to continue arguing with both officials and opponents in between contentious plays.

Early in the fourth, Manning threw his second interception to rookie safety Sean Davis, who also recorded his first pick. Manning’s deep pass was intended for Sterling Shepard. 

Shepard then got the Giants’ second touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth, on a short lob pass from Manning on a first-and-goal, but by then, the Steelers had all but won.

Randy Bullock made field goals of 38 and 44 yards for Pittsburgh.

Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul left the game with a groin injury in the second quarter and did not return.

The Giants next host NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, while the Steelers will visit the Buffalo Bills that day.

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 04: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants drops back to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 4, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)