“TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the atmosphere poses a challenge for the Giants”

The New York Giants are fully aware that they will have their hands full when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Week 8.

During a Monday Night Football showdown, Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke referenced the Steelers’ rich history and the various obstacles they present to an opponent.

“They have a great history, a great culture in this organization and a lot of pride,” Okereke said. “Their fans bring it to every game. You can really feel that black and yellow on game day. So just understand that you are in a hostile environment. Understand that they want to play old school football. Play great defense, run the football.’ And we have to take care of the fact that we have a big challenge in front of us and we have to stop the run.

Under head coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh has a 20-3 record on Monday night and a perfect 10-0 record at home. The team earned its first primetime win of the season in a 37-15 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.

New York offensive defenseman Jon Runyan Jr. explained how the Steelers’ home crowd can impact the game while explaining that the Giants are ready for the challenge the game will bring.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere Monday night in Pittsburgh,” Runyan said. “I know Pittsburgh is a huge football town, and when they start playing their music and waving the towels in the fourth quarter on Monday night, it will be a great environment. I look forward to it. I’m sure that will be the case.” I feel like this is one of the environments in which we thrive. We have played in some difficult environments this year and I know the boys will be excited and prepared for this game.”

The Giants enter the contest with a record of 2-5 after suffering a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Their two wins came on the road against the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks in Weeks 3 and 5, respectively.

New York’s offense is among the worst in the league this season, averaging 290.7 yards and 14.1 points per game, which isn’t a particularly favorable matchup against a Pittsburgh defense that has proven its brilliance time and time again.

Throughout the week, the Giants mentioned Steelers fullback TJ Watt ad nauseum.

The 30-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year recorded 16 pressures and 4.5 sacks on the year. With New York at risk of none of its starting tackles getting healthy, quarterback Daniel Jones is taking extra precautions to ensure he knows where Watt is at all times.

“Obviously he’s a good player and I know where he stands,” Jones said. “As a quarterback, I think my job is to feel the pocket, move in the pocket and get the ball out in a timely manner. I can’t afford to look at the rush, look at it or anything like that. So trust.” I trust the game plan, trust the scheme, trust the way it’s constructed and then do my job , execute it and get the ball out on time.”

Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns, who is enjoying a successful first season with the team as the team’s No. 1 edge rusher, also has great respect for Watts’ craft.

“He just finds a way to impact the game in a lot of ways,” Burns said. “Super intense, relentless. TJ is a guy I watch films about quite often. He does what he can do well. I have to say that. He has this one trick that people just can’t understand. “He does what he does well.

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