Most Week 13 games are huge, but the Giants visiting the Steelers has a particularly massive air to it. It's a bit confusing though, at least in terms of the line.
The Giants are 8-3 and the Steelers are 6-5. Yet the Steelers, who aren't even in the playoffs if the season started today, are favored by six points.
It might have to do with the results from Thanksgiving, when the Steelers exploded against the Colts, as Ben Roethlisberger dropped bombs all over the sorry Indy defense, hitting Antonio Brown for a trio of touchdowns. The timing of that game also gives the Steelers an advantage because they're coming off 10 days of rest.
Meanwhile, New York is essentially off a bye, having beaten the Browns in Week 12 with a 27-13 score. Of some concern: The Giants were up just 14-6 going into the fourth quarter against Cleveland, and needed a Jason Pierre-Paul fumble return for a score to push the lead to two touchdowns.
Cleveland would actually close the game within a single score before a late Odell Beckham, Jr. score. But that doesn't mean that the Giants aren't good on defense -- they are, checking in as a top-10 unit in defensive DVOA at Football Outsiders.
Janoris Jenkins was a boom-or-bust cornerback with the Rams, but he's been excellent with the Giants. According to Gil Brandt of NFL.com, Jenkins has the lowest burn rate of any defensive back in the NFL through Week 12 (40 percent). He's also tied for the fourth-most pass breakups in the league (14).
JPP is coming on strong, and right now the Giants look like they did a smart job going out in free agency and making it rain, an unusual strategy for that franchise.
Matching up against the Steelers is a different beast, though. This is a top-10 team in offensive DVOA and the No. 13 team in points scored per game (even though Big Ben has missed time). With Roethlisberger, Brown and Le'Veon Bell healthy, they are explosive.
It's also the start of a tough stretch for the Giants. After Pittsburgh, they have the Cowboys and Lions at home and then close out with the Eagles and Redskins on the road. That's brutal over the next five weeks.
The Giants likely just need to go 2-3 to get themselves a spot in the postseason (10-6 should be a lock for an NFC wild card spot). Sunday would be a huge step in that direction.
Here are more details on the matchup, including how to watch and stream the game.
How to Watch
- What: New York Giants vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- When: Sunday, Nov. 6, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Penn.
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile App
- Sunday Ticket: DirecTV
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Steelers are 6-point favorites, according to SportsLine.
Injury report
Giants
- S Nat Berhe (Concussion) -- Out
- LB Mark Herzlich (Concussion) -- Out
- DE Owa Odighizuwa (Knee) -- Out
- G Justin Pugh (Knee) -- Out
- C Brett Jones (Calf) -- Questionable
- T Marshall Newhouse (Knee) -- Questionable
Steelers
- WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Foot) -- Out
- RB DeAngelo Williams (Knee) -- Out
- K Chris Boswell (Abdomen) -- Questionable
Prisco's Pick
The Giants are playing consecutive road games, which is always tough. It's made tougher against a good team. The Steelers seemed to get the offense cranked up against the Colts and they will be rested here. Steelers take a close one.
Pick: Steelers 27, Giants 25