Giants v Steelers Week 8 MNF picks

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be featured in primetime for a second consecutive week when they host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Pittsburgh faced the other New York club on Sunday Night Football in Week 7, taking care of the Jets 37-15. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s team is now 5-2, while the Giants head into this one with a 2-5 record.

This Week 8 installment of Monday Night Football is at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN. Let’s take a look at the best bets to make. 

Giants vs Steelers Predictions 

Pick #1 – Steelers -6.5 (-102) 

Pick #2 – Over 36.5 (-108) 

Pick #3 – Najee Harris Over 61.5 Rushing Yards (-114) 

PICK #1: Giants’ inept offense faces tough test in Steelers 

In Week 6, the Giants lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 17-7. Adding insult to injury (or vice versa), offensive tackle Andrew Thomas went down with a foot issue and is now on injured reserve. He is one of the best at his position in the NFL and a critical piece of New York’s offense in front of quarterback Daniel Jones. Unsurprisingly, the Giants were punchless in their next game and fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 28-3 while surrendering a ridiculous eight sacks and racking up 119 yards.

Jones isn't exactly gifted in the pocket, so it is a huge issue when he does not have Thomas protecting his blind side. Now they have to face a Pittsburgh defense that is among the most ferocious in the NFL. TJ Watt will likely wreak havoc on Jones and the rest of New York’s backfield. On the other side of the ball, Russell Wilson took over from Justin Fields as QB1 for the Steelers and led his new team to a blowout of the Jets. Look for the home team to take care of business by at least a touchdown. 

PICK #2: Pittsburgh can do enough to exceed a low total

Although it is fair to be unenthusiastic about the Giants’ offensive prospects on Monday night, 36.5 is simply a very low total. If New York can simply get to double-digits – and it could do so in garbage time if the game gets out of hand – then the over should cash. If nothing else, head coach Brian Daboll generally draws up effective schemes, and his creativity alone could lead to at least a couple of scoring drives.

Meanwhile, the Giants’ run defense is terrible, and they are also allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 71% of their attempts (third most in the league). Given how the Steelers looked in their first outing with Wilson under center, the next New York team could also be in trouble. Wilson and Najee Harris can put up a sizable point total on Pittsburgh’s behalf. 

PICK #3: Najee Harris is on a heater 

Harris is coming off his two best games of the year, as he churned out 104 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries against the Las Vegas Raiders before toting the rock a season-high 21 times for 102 yards and another score at the Jets’ expense. The Alabama product has gotten 117 carries through eight games, and no other running back on Pittsburgh’s roster has rushed it more than 32 times.

Given Harris’ recent performances, he should continue to benefit from a significant workload. He now faces a Giants that is No. 6 in the NFL against the pass and No. 25 against the run while placing dead last in yards per rushing attempt allowed (5.4). Count on Harris remaining hot and soar over a modest 61.5 number once again.